SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The presidents of several public universities say Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposal to cut higher education funding by nearly $400 million would lead to significant setbacks at campuses.

The officials told a Senate panel Thursday that the cuts could not be offset by tuition increases.

Eastern Illinois University President William Perry says a proposed $13 loss million in state funding next year could mean hundreds of staff cuts.

Southern Illinois University President Randy Dunn says a $44 million cut at the Carbondale campus and another $20 million cut to the Edwardsville campus would put the university’s pharmacy and flight schools in jeopardy.

The Republican governor’s proposal was aimed at bridging an expected $6 billion budget gap without raising taxes. But some Democratic legislative leaders have called the plan unworkable.

 

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