“This isn’t just about funding...[its] is about giving young people a chance to afford college and do great things for Illinois’ future.” - State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign)

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate on Tuesday voted for a plan that funds higher education and Monetary Award Program grants. Students, universities and community colleges have been reeling from the effects of the budget impasse for two years now, with some colleges slashing staff and students unable to afford college.

State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) voted to fund higher education institutions such as the University of Illinois, Parkland College and Danville Area Community College. The bill would also fund MAP grants for lower- and middle-income students.

“This isn’t just about funding our state’s colleges and universities,” said Bennett. “This is about giving young people a chance to afford college and do great things for Illinois’ future.”

The measure was a part of the Senate’s “Grand Bargain” package of legislation designed to end the budget stalemate.

“It is time to put personal grudges behind us and put a real budget in place.” - State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign)

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate voted to pass parts of its “Grand Bargain” package of legislation meant to end the budget impasse that has plagued the state for nearly two years. The package was negotiated between Senate President John Cullerton and Minority Leader Christine Radogno as a way to end the political stalemate.

State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) voted with his colleagues to end the impasse.

“It is time to put personal grudges behind us and put a real budget in place,” Bennett said. “The reforms in this package along with much-needed funding for social services and higher education are a good starting point to digging our state out of this hole.”

Measures in the package included gaming expansion, procurement reforms, MAP grant funding and a budget for the remainder of the fiscal year.

"We have a real opportunity to end this historic impasse and move Illinois forward by investing in higher education and growing our economy.” - State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign)

SPRINGFIELD- Members of the General Assembly heard the governor’s third budget address today. According to the Illinois Constitution, the governor is required to submit a balanced budget to the General Assembly each year.

State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is hopeful that the governor will help put an end to the current budget impasse.

“In the past, the governor has neglected to send the General Assembly a true balanced budget,” Bennett said. “Now with the grand bargain package forming in the Senate, we have a real opportunity to end this historic impasse and move Illinois forward by investing in higher education and growing our economy.”

Illinois has been consumed by two years of bitter political stalemate that has caused several credit downgrades, staffing cuts at social service providers and chaos at state universities.

“Allowing voters to consolidate local governments and freeing the University of Illinois from bloated bureaucracy will help revitalize our state and put us on the right path forward.” - State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign)

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Senate passed parts of its negotiated grand bargain plan today. The measures that were put up to a vote included local government consolidation and procurement reform. State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) voted for the measures.

“These reforms will streamline government and save money,” Bennett said. “Allowing voters to consolidate local governments and freeing the University of Illinois from bloated bureaucracy will help revitalize our state and put us on the right path forward.”

The negotiations of the bipartisan grand bargain package have been ongoing for months between Senate President John Cullerton and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno. The remaining pieces of legislation are still under negotiation.