Local officials and many members of the community turned out this morning to speak at EIU's Impact on East Central Illinois. The state budget impasse has put a strain on the university, that recently laid of 177 civil service employees to keep the college up and running. Speakers highlighted EIU's economic value to the area, how EIU students benefit the community, as well as encouragement to be proactive in pushing for funding for the university. Local Representative Reggie Phillips says he has new confidence in funding higher education thanks to House Bill 6409, which was just introduced today. He says the bill would appropriate $160 million from the general revenue fund to the Board of Higher Education for emergency assistance to public universities. Phillips says $40 million would go to community colleges as well, and Governor Rauner seems willing to sign this bill.
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