Illinois General Assembly

Rep. Tracy Joins House Members in Approving Funding for
Spring Semester MAP Grants

For Immediate Release
October 15, 2009
Contact Rep. Jil Tracy
(217) 223-0833

Springfield, IL…On Thursday, State Representative Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) joined other House legislators in unanimously approving funding for spring semester MAP grants. Senate Bill 1180 will allow the Governor to tap into discretionary spending in order to appropriate $205 million for the purpose of fully funding the Monetary Award Program (MAP) during the 2010 spring collegiate semester.

"The MAP program provides financial assistance to nearly 140,000 low-income students who otherwise may not have the opportunity to earn a college degree," said Rep. Tracy. "MAP is one of the most successful higher education services the state provides, and it is imperative that we keep this program fully funded in order to provide a college education for any student who is willing to work hard and set a path towards a successful future."

The current budget signed by the Governor back in July provided 50% of funding for MAP, which contained only enough revenue to provide fall semester MAP grants. Governor Quinn was granted $1.2 billion in discretionary spending by the legislature in the budget agreement over the summer, but he instead chose not to use that money to shore up the remaining funds needed for MAP.

With the approval of Senate Bill 1180, the Governor will have the spending authority to fully fund MAP; however there is currently no revenue stream to provide the remaining $205 million needed for the program. "On the positive side college students can be reassured they will not have their grant funding pulled halfway through the school year. However, the major flaw with this legislation is that it will add another $200 million to our mounting deficit," said Rep. Tracy.

"We repeatedly offered alternative solutions that would provide much needed revenue for the MAP program, but again and again we were not allowed to have our proposals called for a vote," Tracy said, referring to the Democrats tight control over which legislation is allowed to be voted upon in the House. "It’s extremely frustrating when you offer solutions that have the potential to generate over one-hundred million dollars for the state, only to have those measures rebuffed and not even be allowed to be called for a vote or even debate."

Senate Bill 1180 now heads back to the Senate for further consideration.