NIU Today

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner shared details of his first budget proposal during a Wednesday afternoon address in the state capitol, and he called for steep cuts, including a 31.5 percent cut in state public university appropriations, according to the budget detail. “The budget outlined today is the budget Illinois can afford, and that in itself...

News from Springfield … The University of Illinois Institute for Government and Public Affairs has released the result of its study, the Fiscal Futures Project. Key findings were that while the changes to four out of the five Illinois state-funded pension systems will eliminate their unfunded liability over the next 25 years, Illinois’ deficit will...

The Illinois House has approved a comprehensive pension-reform measure sponsored by House Speaker Michael Madigan by a vote of 62-51 Thursday afternoon. Senate Bill 1 is designed to close a $97 billion deficit that hangs over the state’s pension plans. Underfunding for decades has left the pension systems short of what they need. The bill...

In Springfield … Both the House and the Senate are in session this week in Springfield. Several bills of interest to the NIU community advanced in the legislative process during last week’s Senate action. SB 1900 (Biss) passed the Senate unanimously and has been assigned to the House Higher Education Committee for consideration. It requires...

In Springfield … As the Illinois General Assembly struggles to deal with the massive backlog of unpaid bills, a measure is moving through the House of Representatives, supported by Speaker Madigan, which would authorize the sale of $2.5 billion of general obligations bonds. Up to $2 billion of the bond proceeds would go Medicaid providers,...

Gov. Pat Quinn delivered his State of the State Message today to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly. Governors typically use the State of the State to highlight their priorities and to call on the General Assembly to act on these priorities. Details on implementation – and the resources needed to accomplish these...

In Springfield … Last week, the Illinois House of Representatives began its Spring Session. On Wednesday, the House adopted rules that will govern its operations over the next two years (the 98th General Assembly), and House committee appointments were announced. Thursday’s House session was canceled, and the Senate did not convene. Next week should see...

A pension reform plan with significant implications for existing and retired state and university employees passed the House Personnel & Pensions Committee late this morning on a 6-3 vote. It now moves to the full House for consideration, possibly later today. Live video and audio is available. Briefly, SB 1673, House Amendment #3, shifts normal...

A pension reform plan outlined Thursday by House Speaker Michael Madigan would shift costs to universities, reduce cost-of-living-adjustments in retirement and offer a choice between accepting the lesser, Tier II cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) with access to the state’s retiree health care plan or maintaining the current COLA with a freeze on pay raises counting toward future...

In Springfield … The Illinois primary elections were held Tuesday, March 20. The elections results can be found on the Illinois Board of Elections website. The Illinois General Assembly was in session Wednesday through Friday of last week. Members of the House of Representatives approved HB 3810 (vote: 95 yes, 25 no, 2 present), introduced by...

In Springfield … The Illinois General Assembly convened for the first week of the fall veto session, which began Oct. 25. It was a tough week for Gov. Pat Quinn, with the General Assembly taking the following actions: Collective bargaining House Speaker Michael Madigan introduced HJR 45, which seeks to involve the General Assembly in...

In Springfield … The first week of the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session begins Tuesday, Oct. 25, and will run through Thursday, Oct. 27. It promises to be an interesting week, with many issues on the table. The House of Representatives Personnel and Pensions Committee has posted five pension reform bills for hearing –...