Category: Voices
Your health is important! This fall, you’ve got a busy class schedule, extracurricular activities, study groups, campus events and much more. Don’t forget about taking care of you during the next two semesters. For some of you, it’s time for you to get back into shape; for others, you need to have accountability to keep...
On the topic of computers, artificial intelligence and robots, Northern Illinois University Professor David Gunkel says science fiction is fast becoming “science fact.” Fictional depictions of artificial intelligence have run the gamut from the loyal Robot in “Lost in Space” to the killer computer HAL in “2001: A Space Odyssey” and the endearing C-3PO and...
In Washington, D.C. … Congress begins a five-week Summer Recess. Prior to adjourning, Congressional leaders and the White House agreed to a bi-partisan deal that will keep the government funded for six months, through March 31, 2013, at a level consistent with the 2013 level ($1.047 trillion) set forth in the Budget Control Act passed...
In Washington, D.C. … Officials of the U.S. Department of Education today unveiled the Obama administration’s college financial aid “shopping sheet,” which was developed jointly with the newly created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The shopping sheet, while allowing individual institutions to provide customized information, provides a number of common elements regarding a student’s financial aid...
In Springfield … The Governor signed HB 3887 on June 27, now Public Act 97-0711. This law requires personnel of institutions of higher education, including coaches and other personnel in the Athletics Departments, to report to authorities suspicions of sexual abuse and other forms of child abuse under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act....
Rep. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) introduced HB 4996 to curb the current practice of Illinois’ public universities rehiring annuitants to work while drawing a pension. This bill passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly, and the governor is expected to sign the bill over the summer. Biss, who has been actively involved in various efforts...
In an effort to keep you informed about what occurred during the spring legislative session in Springfield, we thought that it would be helpful to focus on some key areas and give you more context in terms of what happened. Our first area of focus is the Fiscal Year 2013 budget. The Illinois General Assembly...
On a Friday evening a couple weeks ago, my wife and I were out for a leisurely dinner at a popular Italian restaurant near where we live. We were sitting at the back of the restaurant by a window at a table for two; love those two-person tables. The restaurant was crowded but the ambiance...
In Springfield … Last week, both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly continued to move bills through committees and through third readings. However, the three big issues remaining are the FY 2013 appropriations, pension stabilization, and Medicaid reform and cuts. Most of the discussions on these three issues have taken place behind closed doors, but...
In Springfield … With only three weeks left before the scheduled May 31 adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly, there are three major issues still unresolved: the Fiscal Year 2013 budget, pension stabilization and Medicaid reform. FY2013 Budget The House Higher Education Appropriations Committee has been meeting frequently over the past several weeks to determine how...
In Springfield … The Illinois Senate Executive Committee voted to approve House Bill 3810, a bill that will eliminate the General Assembly Scholarship Program on Sept. 1, 2012. Senate President John Cullerton, who had picked up sponsorship of this bill, testified that this program was good overall and that it had helped many very deserving...
Presidents and chancellors of public universities in the State of Illinois sent letters Thursday, May 3, to Gov. Pat Quinn as well as Illinois General Assembly leaders Michael Madigan, John Cullerton, Christine Radogno and Tom Cross. The letters outlined a statement of 10 objectives for stabilization of the State Universities Retirement System that is fair...