Digital Future Brings Opportunities for Jobs, Education, Health Care
URBANA, Illinois – Jobs, education and the challenges of bringing broadband to rural Illinois will be among the topics of the Central Illinois Regional Broadband Summit on Wednesday, October 12 at the University of Illinois.
National and statewide leaders and elected officials will come together at the summit, sponsored by Partnership for a Connected Illinois (PCI), to review public and private investment in broadband and high-speed internet, and to discuss opportunities for the future. Representatives of two broadband projects in central Illinois, the Illinois Century Network and Urbana Champaign Big Broadband (UC2B), will share progress reports and detail the ways the investments can make a significant difference in the lives of people both locally and statewide.
Companies that have made significant investments in broadband will also participate in the summit, including AT&T, Champaign Telephone Company, Comcast, Consolidated Communications, and Frontier Communications. Representatives of each company will highlight their investments in broadband and discuss their views on how citizens and communities can benefit from access to broadband and high-speed internet.
Featured speakers will include Rep. Connie Howard (D-Chicago) the sponsor of legislation creating the Illinois Century Network; Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign); Rep. Naomi Jakobsson (D-Urbana); and Kevin Johnson of the office of U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson (R-IL). At the summit, Representative Howard will be recognized for her leadership efforts to eliminate the digital divide in Illinois.
“Illinois is in a race with other states and nations to develop broadband and high-speed internet in our communities,” said Drew Clark, executive director of PCI.
“Broadband and high speed internet are among the most significant infrastructure investments of our time, equating to improved health care, more jobs and a better education for our citizens,” said Clark. “Better broadband means better lives,” Clark added. ”Investments in broadband are vital to help our communities prosper, to help people live longer and healthier lives, and to bring essential education programs to areas that are currently economically disadvantaged.”
The Central Illinois Regional Broadband Summit will be held on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), 1205 W. Clark St., Urbana, on the campus of the University of Illinois. PCI held similar earlier this year in Naperville and Carbondale. Following is a schedule of related events, all of which will be at the NCSA:
9:00 a.m - Noon – Research Symposium featuring Broadband Researchers
1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. – Central Illinois Regional Broadband Summit
On Thursday morning, the Governor’s Broadband Deployment Council will meet from 9:00 a.m. until Noon, also at the NCSA. Two remote participation sites for the BDC meeting are also open to the public, one in Springfield and the other in Chicago.
Both days events will be streamed live on the internet via PCI's website.
Additional information about the summit and related events, including registration information, can be found on PCI’s website, http://www.broadbandillinois.org. The registration page is http://broadbandillinois.org/calendar/1.
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Showing posts with label university of illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label university of illinois. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Lt Gov Simon Supports Tying Higher Education Funding to Gradution Results
March 15, 2011
Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today testified before the Senate Higher Education Committee in support of SB 1773, which would create a performance funding system for community colleges and state universities. As the Governor’s point person on education reform, Simon is working to increase the proportion of working-age adults with college certificates and degrees to 60 percent from 41 percent by 2025. She said that tying state resources to increased completion rates provides an incentive for schools to focus not just on boosting enrollment but on improving student success.
Simon said: “Higher education is what makes the American Dream possible. It allows people from all backgrounds to develop their abilities and build their lives. Now is the time for Illinois to develop a stronger higher education system, one that prepares our citizens for the highly skilled jobs of the future. SB1773 addresses the common sense idea that while we want to continue to promote college accessibility, we also want to promote completing the course, earning the certificate and achieving an advanced degree. Performance funding provides an incentive for schools to get the job done.”
Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today testified before the Senate Higher Education Committee in support of SB 1773, which would create a performance funding system for community colleges and state universities. As the Governor’s point person on education reform, Simon is working to increase the proportion of working-age adults with college certificates and degrees to 60 percent from 41 percent by 2025. She said that tying state resources to increased completion rates provides an incentive for schools to focus not just on boosting enrollment but on improving student success.
Simon said: “Higher education is what makes the American Dream possible. It allows people from all backgrounds to develop their abilities and build their lives. Now is the time for Illinois to develop a stronger higher education system, one that prepares our citizens for the highly skilled jobs of the future. SB1773 addresses the common sense idea that while we want to continue to promote college accessibility, we also want to promote completing the course, earning the certificate and achieving an advanced degree. Performance funding provides an incentive for schools to get the job done.”
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
IGPA Report: Tax Increase Helps, But Does Not Solve IL Fiscal Crisis
From the Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois
The large tax increase just enacted falls short of closing the state’s enormous budget gap.
On January 11, 2011 the Illinois General Assembly imposed a large income tax increase, modest caps on spending growth, and approved borrowing to fund the FY 2011 pension payment:
• Retroactive to January 1, 2011, personal income tax rate goes from current 3.0% to 5.0% through 2014, then to 3.75% through 2024, and 3.25% after that.
• Corporate income tax rate goes from current 4.8% to 7.0% through 2014, then to 5.25% through 2024, and back down to 4.8% after that.
• General Fund spending growth capped at +2% per year for next four fiscal years.
• Borrow $3.7 billion for FY 2011 pension payment and pay off that debt over eight years. Our simulations assume a 5% interest rate.
The Fiscal Futures Model uses a measure of the state budget that consolidates the more commonly reported General Funds with other state funds. This broader scope shows a more meaningful picture of the state’s activities. With a consolidated funds budget, transfers from non-General to General Funds are not confused with new receipts; and switching spending from General to non-General funds is not seen as a cut. Also, by assuming that there is no future borrowing, the model removes another non-recurring receipt from the budget gap measure.
Figure 1 shows budget gap projections with and without the January 2011 policy changes. The baseline projection is a consolidated funds budget gap of $10.9 billion in FY 2011 that grows to $29.1 billion in FY 2022. 1 The new policies significantly reduce—but do not eliminate—the projected budget gaps. With the higher tax rates in place for the entire year, the projected deficit drops to $4.4 billion in FY 2012. But when the higher rates are phased out the deficit could be close to $10 billion in FY 2016.
Even with the new taxes and spending caps, the budgetary crisis in Illinois is worse than depicted in Figure 1. Here’s why:
• As of December 31, 2010 the state had $6.5 billion in unpaid bills from the prior 2½ years. The backlog was not addressed in the new policies.
• Because the 2% growth cap is specified in terms of General Funds, it will still be possible to increase spending more than that by shifting expenditures to non-General funds.
• The projections assume only 2% growth in expenditures even after the cap expires.
1 Richard Dye, Nancy Hudspeth and David Merriman, “Titanic and Sinking: The Illinois Budget Disaster,” The Illinois Report 2011, Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois (forthcoming in February). The chapter is now available at http://igpa.uillinois.edu/IR11/Titanic-and-sinking.
The Fiscal Fallout series presents findings from IGPA’s Fiscal Futures Project . The project is supported by a generous grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. For more on the project and links to documents, please go to: http://igpa.uillinois.edu/content/fiscal-futures-project.
Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois 18 January 2011
• Our calculations do not take account of pension liabilities that will be unfunded even if Illinois makes the statutorily required pension payments.
• The $5-10 billion gaps will have to be dealt with somehow, and
• Longer payment backlogs will increase service costs as some venders cease to do business with the state, and others raise their prices to compensate for the delay.
• New borrowing will mean new debt service obligations in future years.
• Underfunding pension obligations even more than now will increase future gaps.
• Revenue from the new tax rates might be lower than projected because businesses or workers could leave the state to avoid the higher Illinois burden.
The fiscal crisis in Illinois is far from over, even after the tax increases.
Figure 1: Projected Gap in Consolidated Budget with and without Enacted Changes -35.0-30.0-25.0-20.0-15.0-10.0-5.00.0201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022Fiscal YearBudget Gap ($ bil.)Baseline ProjectionEnacted Changes
Source: IGPA Fiscal Futures Model, January 17, 2011.
Note: Assumes no additional borrowing or debt service other than existing and enacted amounts.
Disclaimer: IGPA’s Fiscal Futures Model is a long-term trend projection model and is not designed to do short-term revenue forecasting. The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, the Illinois Department of Revenue, and the General Assembly’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability all have more detailed and more current information for short-term revenue forecasts.
____________________________________________________________________________________
The Fiscal Fallout series presents findings from IGPA’s Fiscal Futures Project . The project is supported
by a generous grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. For more on the project
and links to documents, please go to: http://igpa.uillinois.edu/content/fiscal-futures-project.
The large tax increase just enacted falls short of closing the state’s enormous budget gap.
On January 11, 2011 the Illinois General Assembly imposed a large income tax increase, modest caps on spending growth, and approved borrowing to fund the FY 2011 pension payment:
• Retroactive to January 1, 2011, personal income tax rate goes from current 3.0% to 5.0% through 2014, then to 3.75% through 2024, and 3.25% after that.
• Corporate income tax rate goes from current 4.8% to 7.0% through 2014, then to 5.25% through 2024, and back down to 4.8% after that.
• General Fund spending growth capped at +2% per year for next four fiscal years.
• Borrow $3.7 billion for FY 2011 pension payment and pay off that debt over eight years. Our simulations assume a 5% interest rate.
The Fiscal Futures Model uses a measure of the state budget that consolidates the more commonly reported General Funds with other state funds. This broader scope shows a more meaningful picture of the state’s activities. With a consolidated funds budget, transfers from non-General to General Funds are not confused with new receipts; and switching spending from General to non-General funds is not seen as a cut. Also, by assuming that there is no future borrowing, the model removes another non-recurring receipt from the budget gap measure.
Figure 1 shows budget gap projections with and without the January 2011 policy changes. The baseline projection is a consolidated funds budget gap of $10.9 billion in FY 2011 that grows to $29.1 billion in FY 2022. 1 The new policies significantly reduce—but do not eliminate—the projected budget gaps. With the higher tax rates in place for the entire year, the projected deficit drops to $4.4 billion in FY 2012. But when the higher rates are phased out the deficit could be close to $10 billion in FY 2016.
Even with the new taxes and spending caps, the budgetary crisis in Illinois is worse than depicted in Figure 1. Here’s why:
• As of December 31, 2010 the state had $6.5 billion in unpaid bills from the prior 2½ years. The backlog was not addressed in the new policies.
• Because the 2% growth cap is specified in terms of General Funds, it will still be possible to increase spending more than that by shifting expenditures to non-General funds.
• The projections assume only 2% growth in expenditures even after the cap expires.
1 Richard Dye, Nancy Hudspeth and David Merriman, “Titanic and Sinking: The Illinois Budget Disaster,” The Illinois Report 2011, Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois (forthcoming in February). The chapter is now available at http://igpa.uillinois.edu/IR11/Titanic-and-sinking.
The Fiscal Fallout series presents findings from IGPA’s Fiscal Futures Project . The project is supported by a generous grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. For more on the project and links to documents, please go to: http://igpa.uillinois.edu/content/fiscal-futures-project.
Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois 18 January 2011
• Our calculations do not take account of pension liabilities that will be unfunded even if Illinois makes the statutorily required pension payments.
• The $5-10 billion gaps will have to be dealt with somehow, and
• Longer payment backlogs will increase service costs as some venders cease to do business with the state, and others raise their prices to compensate for the delay.
• New borrowing will mean new debt service obligations in future years.
• Underfunding pension obligations even more than now will increase future gaps.
• Revenue from the new tax rates might be lower than projected because businesses or workers could leave the state to avoid the higher Illinois burden.
The fiscal crisis in Illinois is far from over, even after the tax increases.
Figure 1: Projected Gap in Consolidated Budget with and without Enacted Changes -35.0-30.0-25.0-20.0-15.0-10.0-5.00.0201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022Fiscal YearBudget Gap ($ bil.)Baseline ProjectionEnacted Changes
Source: IGPA Fiscal Futures Model, January 17, 2011.
Note: Assumes no additional borrowing or debt service other than existing and enacted amounts.
Disclaimer: IGPA’s Fiscal Futures Model is a long-term trend projection model and is not designed to do short-term revenue forecasting. The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, the Illinois Department of Revenue, and the General Assembly’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability all have more detailed and more current information for short-term revenue forecasts.
____________________________________________________________________________________
The Fiscal Fallout series presents findings from IGPA’s Fiscal Futures Project . The project is supported
by a generous grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. For more on the project
and links to documents, please go to: http://igpa.uillinois.edu/content/fiscal-futures-project.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
UIS to Host Author James Swanson to Discuss His Book on Lincoln
WHAT: Author James L. Swanson will speak about his new book Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln 's Corpse. The discussion will be hosted by Dr. Michael Burlingame, Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at UIS.
WHEN: Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Brookens Auditorium on the lower level of Brookens Library
DETAILS: In Bloody Crimes, James L. Swanson the Edgar Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of Manhunt - brings to life two epic events of the Civil War era: the thrilling chase to apprehend Confederate president Jefferson Davis in the wake of the Lincoln assassination and the momentous 20 -day funeral that took Abraham Lincoln’s body home to Springfield. A true tale full of fascinating twists and turns, and lavishly illustrated with dozens of rare historical images - some never before seen - Bloody Crimes is a fascinating companion to Swanson’s Manhunt and a riveting true-crime thriller that will electrify civil war buffs, general readers, and everyone in between.
Swanson has degrees in history from the University of Chicago, where he was a student of John Hope Franklin, and law from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has held a number of government and think-tank posts in Washington, D.C., including at the United States Department of Justice. He serves on the advisory council of the Ford’s Theatre Society.
His other books include the acclaimed photographic history Lincoln’s Assassins: Their Trial and Execution, as well as Chasing Lincoln’s Killer. James L. Swanson was born on Lincoln’s birthday.
For more information contact Dr. Michael Burlingame at 217/299-9306 or email mburl2@uis.edu. This event is free and open to the public.
WHEN: Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Brookens Auditorium on the lower level of Brookens Library
DETAILS: In Bloody Crimes, James L. Swanson the Edgar Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of Manhunt - brings to life two epic events of the Civil War era: the thrilling chase to apprehend Confederate president Jefferson Davis in the wake of the Lincoln assassination and the momentous 20 -day funeral that took Abraham Lincoln’s body home to Springfield. A true tale full of fascinating twists and turns, and lavishly illustrated with dozens of rare historical images - some never before seen - Bloody Crimes is a fascinating companion to Swanson’s Manhunt and a riveting true-crime thriller that will electrify civil war buffs, general readers, and everyone in between.
Swanson has degrees in history from the University of Chicago, where he was a student of John Hope Franklin, and law from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has held a number of government and think-tank posts in Washington, D.C., including at the United States Department of Justice. He serves on the advisory council of the Ford’s Theatre Society.
His other books include the acclaimed photographic history Lincoln’s Assassins: Their Trial and Execution, as well as Chasing Lincoln’s Killer. James L. Swanson was born on Lincoln’s birthday.
For more information contact Dr. Michael Burlingame at 217/299-9306 or email mburl2@uis.edu. This event is free and open to the public.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Stanley O. Ikenberry Tapped as Interim President
From the University of Illinois
Saturday, October 3, 2009
URBANA, Ill. — Former University of Illinois President Stanley O. Ikenberry was appointed Saturday as interim president at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Ikenberry, 74, who previously served as U of I president for 16 years, will become interim president effective January 1, 2010. President B. Joseph White last week announced his resignation effective December 31. In the intervening three months, Ikenberry will act as interim president-designate, enabling him to work with White and other senior administrators to better facilitate an orderly transition. As interim president, Ikenberry will serve until a permanent president is named.
“The University of Illinois is precious to our faculty and students and the people of Illinois,” said Ikenberry. “The Board of Trustees has asked me to help at this time of transition and I am delighted to be able to do so. My top priorities will be to support the Board in its search for an outstanding president and to work with faculty and academic leaders on all three campuses as we move forward to address a very challenging agenda. We have abundant energy and many friends and we’ll need both.”
“Stanley Ikenberry is ideally suited for this important transitional role at this time,” said Board Chairman Christopher G. Kennedy. “His experience and strong reputation in Illinois and among higher education leaders nationally means the University of Illinois will have a familiar and steady hand at the helm to guide a great university and its search for the next president in an interim period.”
The Board also approved the structure of a 19-member search committee to select the next president. The committee will have faculty, staff and student representatives from each of the campuses as well as members of university administration and the Board. The composition of the committee will be as follows: three trustees; eight faculty members; three students; one member each from the academic professional and civil service staffs; one administrative officer; and one representative each from the University of Illinois Alumni Association and the U of I Foundation.
The executive search firm of Isaacson, Miller was selected to serve as consultants to the search committee.
The Board’s objective is to have a new president in office by the start of the 2010-11 academic year. The Board at Saturday’s meeting formally accepted White’s resignation and approved his position as professor of business administration in the Urbana’s campus’ College of Business.
Stanley Ikenberry served as the 14th president of the University of Illinois system from 1979 through 1995. After retiring from the University in 1995, he served for five years as the 10th president of the American Council of Education (ACE). He returned to the University in 2001 and is currently U of I Regent Professor and President Emeritus and holds an appointment in the University-wide Institute of Government and Public Affairs. In 2008, the Board of Trustees honored Ikenberry’s contributions by naming a new dining hall and residence halls complex on the Urbana campus after him and his wife, Judy.
Ikenberry earned a bachelor’s degree from Shepherd College in 1956 and master’s and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University in 1957 and 1960 respectively. Before he came to the University of Illinois in 1979, he was a senior vice president for administration at The Pennsylvania State University and a professor in the Center for the Study of Higher Education.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
URBANA, Ill. — Former University of Illinois President Stanley O. Ikenberry was appointed Saturday as interim president at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Ikenberry, 74, who previously served as U of I president for 16 years, will become interim president effective January 1, 2010. President B. Joseph White last week announced his resignation effective December 31. In the intervening three months, Ikenberry will act as interim president-designate, enabling him to work with White and other senior administrators to better facilitate an orderly transition. As interim president, Ikenberry will serve until a permanent president is named.
“The University of Illinois is precious to our faculty and students and the people of Illinois,” said Ikenberry. “The Board of Trustees has asked me to help at this time of transition and I am delighted to be able to do so. My top priorities will be to support the Board in its search for an outstanding president and to work with faculty and academic leaders on all three campuses as we move forward to address a very challenging agenda. We have abundant energy and many friends and we’ll need both.”
“Stanley Ikenberry is ideally suited for this important transitional role at this time,” said Board Chairman Christopher G. Kennedy. “His experience and strong reputation in Illinois and among higher education leaders nationally means the University of Illinois will have a familiar and steady hand at the helm to guide a great university and its search for the next president in an interim period.”
The Board also approved the structure of a 19-member search committee to select the next president. The committee will have faculty, staff and student representatives from each of the campuses as well as members of university administration and the Board. The composition of the committee will be as follows: three trustees; eight faculty members; three students; one member each from the academic professional and civil service staffs; one administrative officer; and one representative each from the University of Illinois Alumni Association and the U of I Foundation.
The executive search firm of Isaacson, Miller was selected to serve as consultants to the search committee.
The Board’s objective is to have a new president in office by the start of the 2010-11 academic year. The Board at Saturday’s meeting formally accepted White’s resignation and approved his position as professor of business administration in the Urbana’s campus’ College of Business.
Stanley Ikenberry served as the 14th president of the University of Illinois system from 1979 through 1995. After retiring from the University in 1995, he served for five years as the 10th president of the American Council of Education (ACE). He returned to the University in 2001 and is currently U of I Regent Professor and President Emeritus and holds an appointment in the University-wide Institute of Government and Public Affairs. In 2008, the Board of Trustees honored Ikenberry’s contributions by naming a new dining hall and residence halls complex on the Urbana campus after him and his wife, Judy.
Ikenberry earned a bachelor’s degree from Shepherd College in 1956 and master’s and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University in 1957 and 1960 respectively. Before he came to the University of Illinois in 1979, he was a senior vice president for administration at The Pennsylvania State University and a professor in the Center for the Study of Higher Education.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
MORE DETAILS: University of Illinois President B. Joseph White Resigns
From the University of Illinois Alumni Association
B. Joseph White will resign as the 16th president of the University of Illinois effective Dec. 31, but he will remain involved with the University in roles that include fundraising and teaching. The UI Board of Trustees is expected to consider an interim appointment to lead the University during a search for a new president.
The University's full news release, President White's resignation letter and the response of Board of Trustees Chairman Christopher Kennedy are available at http://www.uillinois.edu/our/news/2009/Sept23.resignation.cfm
B. Joseph White will resign as the 16th president of the University of Illinois effective Dec. 31, but he will remain involved with the University in roles that include fundraising and teaching. The UI Board of Trustees is expected to consider an interim appointment to lead the University during a search for a new president.
The University's full news release, President White's resignation letter and the response of Board of Trustees Chairman Christopher Kennedy are available at http://www.uillinois.edu/our/news/2009/Sept23.resignation.cfm
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Gov Quinn Appoints Five to Univ. of Illinois Board of Trustees
NOTE: This is dated news, but we missed putting it on when it happened, and wished to add it, so it would be available as a link, should one want to link to it.
CHICAGO – September 4, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn made five appointments to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. The appointments fill the remaining vacancies on the Board as it prepares for its September 10 meeting in Urbana.
“Each new member brings integrity, professionalism and experience to this very important Board,” said Governor Quinn. “They will work diligently and tirelessly on behalf of our great university.”
The five appointments include: Karen A. Hasara, former Mayor of Springfield; Timothy N. Koritz, Staff Anesthesiologist, Rockford Memorial Hospital; Edward L. McMillan, Principal and CEO, McMillan LLC; Pamela B. Strobel, retired Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Exelon; and Carlos E. Tortolero, President, National Museum of Mexican Art. All five are graduates of the University of Illinois.
Recently, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees came under fire after it was revealed that a special “clout list”, with hundreds of applicants, had existed for years and that many on that list were granted favorable treatment and admission to the university. Governor Quinn issued an Executive Order forming the independent Admissions Review Commission, which investigated the “clout list” claims and ultimately recommended all nine appointed board trustees voluntarily resign.
These trustees join Christopher G. Kennedy, president of Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., and Lawrence Oliver II, chief counsel in charge of internal investigations for Boeing Co., who were appointed to the Board by Governor Quinn on August 26.
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees consists of thirteen members, including the Governor. Nine are appointed by the Governor for terms of six years, and three student trustees (one from each campus) are elected by referenda on their campuses for one-year terms. One of these student trustees is designated by the Governor to have an official vote.
CHICAGO – September 4, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn made five appointments to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. The appointments fill the remaining vacancies on the Board as it prepares for its September 10 meeting in Urbana.
“Each new member brings integrity, professionalism and experience to this very important Board,” said Governor Quinn. “They will work diligently and tirelessly on behalf of our great university.”
The five appointments include: Karen A. Hasara, former Mayor of Springfield; Timothy N. Koritz, Staff Anesthesiologist, Rockford Memorial Hospital; Edward L. McMillan, Principal and CEO, McMillan LLC; Pamela B. Strobel, retired Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Exelon; and Carlos E. Tortolero, President, National Museum of Mexican Art. All five are graduates of the University of Illinois.
Recently, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees came under fire after it was revealed that a special “clout list”, with hundreds of applicants, had existed for years and that many on that list were granted favorable treatment and admission to the university. Governor Quinn issued an Executive Order forming the independent Admissions Review Commission, which investigated the “clout list” claims and ultimately recommended all nine appointed board trustees voluntarily resign.
These trustees join Christopher G. Kennedy, president of Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., and Lawrence Oliver II, chief counsel in charge of internal investigations for Boeing Co., who were appointed to the Board by Governor Quinn on August 26.
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees consists of thirteen members, including the Governor. Nine are appointed by the Governor for terms of six years, and three student trustees (one from each campus) are elected by referenda on their campuses for one-year terms. One of these student trustees is designated by the Governor to have an official vote.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Proft Calls For 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Admissions for University System
From the Campaign Office of Dan Proft for Governor
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Proft today proposed a new admissions policy for the University of Illinois, calling the current system which favors applicants of the politically-connected another example of a government system that is fixed.
Click here to watch the video of Dan Proft deliver his remarks at today's news conference.
"Sadly, we must add our great state university to the long list of Illinois systems that aren't broken, but fixed," said Proft, speaking to reporters at the Chicago Hilton.
Proft criticized politicians who are calling for top administrators at the University to resign. "If anyone should have to resign, it should be those who applied the pressure, not those who succumbed to it," he said.
Arguing that such calls "miss the point," Proft said that "our focus should be on how to end this shameful practice and guarantee to future applicants to the University of Illinois that the bar for admissions is based on merit, achievement, and hard work - not on who you know."
Rather, Proft said, the goal should be to remove the incentive to influence the admissions process. Calling his new policy a "Merit-Based Opportunity" standard, Proft proposed that all applicants' names be replaced with identification numbers.
"All that an admissions official will be able to discern from an application is the student's academic and extracurricular achievements - as it should be," said Proft. "This proposal means that even if a politically-connected individual demands special consideration for a particular applicant, the admission officials would be unable to comply."
The policy in place now, said Proft, allows politicians to use the threat of reduced funding to force university administrators to accept unqualified applicants with political connections. "Simply getting rid of university officials who went along to get along will not do that. It is not fundamentally a personnel problem. It is a system problem," he said.
"Under my vision for admission policy, the phrase 'Straight from the G' no longer carries any influence at our great university," said Proft, referring to one released university law school e-mail that revealed the request to admit an unqualified student came from former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Proft compared his new policy to the way the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducts its auditions by having musicians perform from behind a curtain.
"This removes any incentive a judge might have in considering anything other than a musician's ability," said Proft. "There is no reason why we cannot apply this policy for university admissions."
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Proft today proposed a new admissions policy for the University of Illinois, calling the current system which favors applicants of the politically-connected another example of a government system that is fixed.
Click here to watch the video of Dan Proft deliver his remarks at today's news conference.
"Sadly, we must add our great state university to the long list of Illinois systems that aren't broken, but fixed," said Proft, speaking to reporters at the Chicago Hilton.
Proft criticized politicians who are calling for top administrators at the University to resign. "If anyone should have to resign, it should be those who applied the pressure, not those who succumbed to it," he said.
Arguing that such calls "miss the point," Proft said that "our focus should be on how to end this shameful practice and guarantee to future applicants to the University of Illinois that the bar for admissions is based on merit, achievement, and hard work - not on who you know."
Rather, Proft said, the goal should be to remove the incentive to influence the admissions process. Calling his new policy a "Merit-Based Opportunity" standard, Proft proposed that all applicants' names be replaced with identification numbers.
"All that an admissions official will be able to discern from an application is the student's academic and extracurricular achievements - as it should be," said Proft. "This proposal means that even if a politically-connected individual demands special consideration for a particular applicant, the admission officials would be unable to comply."
The policy in place now, said Proft, allows politicians to use the threat of reduced funding to force university administrators to accept unqualified applicants with political connections. "Simply getting rid of university officials who went along to get along will not do that. It is not fundamentally a personnel problem. It is a system problem," he said.
"Under my vision for admission policy, the phrase 'Straight from the G' no longer carries any influence at our great university," said Proft, referring to one released university law school e-mail that revealed the request to admit an unqualified student came from former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Proft compared his new policy to the way the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducts its auditions by having musicians perform from behind a curtain.
"This removes any incentive a judge might have in considering anything other than a musician's ability," said Proft. "There is no reason why we cannot apply this policy for university admissions."
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
IGPA Compiles Ideas on Government Reform for Commission, Legislature
From the Institute of Government & Public Affairs at the University of Illinois
URBANA – Government reform and ethics are key issues currently on the agenda in Illinois. Governor Quinn has appointed the Illinois Reform Commission, and President Cullerton and Speaker Madigan have formed a joint-committee in the General Assembly to examine these issues.
To assist in these discussions, researchers from the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs have developed a “white paper” that examines five components of reform: campaign financing, redistricting, term limits, direct democracy (referendum, initiative and recall), and political culture. These articles examine the success of reform efforts in other states and potential options for Illinois policy makers to consider.
The paper, titled “Challenges and Opportunities on the Road to Reform in Illinois,” was presented to the Illinois Reform Commission at its hearing in Peoria on Monday and is being delivered to the General Assembly today, said Robert F. Rich, director of IGPA. (Download the paper here [PDF].)
“The issues examined in this report are central to any discussion about reforming government,” Rich said. “The role of money in politics, the role of politics in decisions about political boundaries, and the input of the public must be thoroughly considered before decisions are made.
“We hope that this white paper can help inform the current discussions,” he said.
IGPA Senior Fellow James Nowlan examines the redistricting process in Illinois and compares it to other states; former state Senator Richard J. Winkel Jr., now director of IGPA’s Office of Public Leadership, looks at the political culture in the state and how Illinois has dealt with its scandals; political scientist Kent Redfield examines campaign financing in Illinois and looks at how the state might fare with more regulation; and political scientist Christopher Mooney explores whether term limits for constitutional officers or the legislature might work in Illinois, as well as whether citizen-sponsored referenda, initiatives, and recall have achieved any traction or, in the case of recall, whether it might be effective in the state.
Former Gov. Jim Edgar, a distinguished fellow at IGPA since 1999, adds some personal observations about Illinois government in an Epilogue. He challenges the political parties in the state to take responsibility for the qualifications and character of candidates they put forth, and he challenges Illinois voters to take responsibility to be educated about candidates and issues.
The white paper is available to download at the IGPA website, www.igpa.uillinois.edu.
URBANA – Government reform and ethics are key issues currently on the agenda in Illinois. Governor Quinn has appointed the Illinois Reform Commission, and President Cullerton and Speaker Madigan have formed a joint-committee in the General Assembly to examine these issues.
To assist in these discussions, researchers from the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs have developed a “white paper” that examines five components of reform: campaign financing, redistricting, term limits, direct democracy (referendum, initiative and recall), and political culture. These articles examine the success of reform efforts in other states and potential options for Illinois policy makers to consider.
The paper, titled “Challenges and Opportunities on the Road to Reform in Illinois,” was presented to the Illinois Reform Commission at its hearing in Peoria on Monday and is being delivered to the General Assembly today, said Robert F. Rich, director of IGPA. (Download the paper here [PDF].)
“The issues examined in this report are central to any discussion about reforming government,” Rich said. “The role of money in politics, the role of politics in decisions about political boundaries, and the input of the public must be thoroughly considered before decisions are made.
“We hope that this white paper can help inform the current discussions,” he said.
IGPA Senior Fellow James Nowlan examines the redistricting process in Illinois and compares it to other states; former state Senator Richard J. Winkel Jr., now director of IGPA’s Office of Public Leadership, looks at the political culture in the state and how Illinois has dealt with its scandals; political scientist Kent Redfield examines campaign financing in Illinois and looks at how the state might fare with more regulation; and political scientist Christopher Mooney explores whether term limits for constitutional officers or the legislature might work in Illinois, as well as whether citizen-sponsored referenda, initiatives, and recall have achieved any traction or, in the case of recall, whether it might be effective in the state.
Former Gov. Jim Edgar, a distinguished fellow at IGPA since 1999, adds some personal observations about Illinois government in an Epilogue. He challenges the political parties in the state to take responsibility for the qualifications and character of candidates they put forth, and he challenges Illinois voters to take responsibility to be educated about candidates and issues.
The white paper is available to download at the IGPA website, www.igpa.uillinois.edu.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Senator Burzynski Reminds Veterans' Children About University of Illinois Tuition Waiver
From the Office of State Senator Brad Burzynski
ROCHELLE, Ill. – State Senator Brad Burzynski (R-Rochelle) reminded students who are the children of veterans to apply for the University of Illinois' Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver.
This tuition waiver provides a free, four-year tuition waiver to any natural or adopted child of a veteran. Up to six waivers per Illinois county are awarded each year, one for each of the following conflicts for which the Veteran served: World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam Conflict, Southeast Asia Conflict, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Eligibility is limited to permanent residents from any of Illinois' 102 counties. Awards are limited to one per county and per conflict. The tuition waiver is good for any University of Illinois system school or degree program.
Burzynski encouraged children of veterans to act quickly; students need to apply before March 1, 2009. For further information go to Sen. Burzynski's website: www.burzynski.senategop.org or call the University of Illinois, Office of Student Financial Aid at 1-217-333-0100.
ROCHELLE, Ill. – State Senator Brad Burzynski (R-Rochelle) reminded students who are the children of veterans to apply for the University of Illinois' Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver.
This tuition waiver provides a free, four-year tuition waiver to any natural or adopted child of a veteran. Up to six waivers per Illinois county are awarded each year, one for each of the following conflicts for which the Veteran served: World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam Conflict, Southeast Asia Conflict, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Eligibility is limited to permanent residents from any of Illinois' 102 counties. Awards are limited to one per county and per conflict. The tuition waiver is good for any University of Illinois system school or degree program.
Burzynski encouraged children of veterans to act quickly; students need to apply before March 1, 2009. For further information go to Sen. Burzynski's website: www.burzynski.senategop.org or call the University of Illinois, Office of Student Financial Aid at 1-217-333-0100.
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