SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In the face of a veto threatened by Gov. Bruce Rauner, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, helped pass funding for low-income students through the Monetary Award Program (MAP), community colleges and adult education programs, which have been facing shutdowns and cuts without a state budget in place.
“The budget stalemate is impacting students all over the state and ultimately it's affecting students' success,” Smiddy said. “MAP grants give opportunities to thousands of students who demonstrate financial need, and they deserve a chance to educate themselves.”
Across the state, approximately 130,000 students utilize the MAP Grant program to seek higher education. Smiddy helped pass Senate Bill 2043, which passed out of the General Assembly last week and would send funds to help low-income students pay for college through MAP grants. This measure also restores grants for Technical Education, adult education and adult literacy programs across the state. Governor Rauner has previously vetoed a state budget plan that included funding for these programs, and he has stated he plans to veto this proposal as well. Smiddy is pushing for him to see the value of the grants to the Quad Cities and Sterling/Rock Falls areas, and to change his mind to help struggling students achieve academic success.
“Our communities have put a strong emphasis on educational achievement to help our kids compete in the global economy that saw painful unemployment rates in recent years,” Smiddy said. “I encourage Governor Bruce Rauner to rethink his priorities on student aid legislation and allow money to be given to the dedicated and hardworking students who are in need, as a means to helping our entire state and region’s economic future.”
Senate Bill 2043 passed both chambers of the General Assembly on Jan. 28 and now awaits action from the governor. For more information, contact Smiddy’s full-time constituent service office at 309-848-9098 or email RepSmiddy@gmail.com.
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