July 31, 2009

 

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois House of Representative

96th General Assembly

 

Today I return House Bill 2132 with reduction vetoes in the amount of $24,787,470.

 

This bill appropriates funds to institutions of higher education for Fiscal Year 2010. 

Throughout my life, I have been proud of the State of Illinois’s deep commitment to higher education.  From 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln established land-grant universities, the State of Illinois has invested in higher education for its promising young people, making the rewards of learning available to everyone, not just the privileged few.

Therefore, it is painful for me to take this action to reduce the State of Illinois’ financial support of its universities and community colleges.  It is deeply unfortunate that our current revenues are simply inadequate to meet all of the State’s responsibilities to our students.  Even with our best efforts, the State of Illinois simply does not have adequate funds to meet all of its financial responsibilities in this fiscal year.  I would add that this action represents our very best effort to balance our responsibilities to our college students against the grim realities of our State’s current fiscal condition.

 

Although the state’s current financial straits force me to take this reduction action, I would stress that today’s action maintains funding at Fiscal Year 2009 levels.  Consistent with my principles, I am ensuring that Illinois will continue to secure the maximum funding available to us through the ARRA State Fiscal Stabilization Fund.  Also, earlier today, I announced the allocation of $3.4 billion in funds appropriated by the General Assembly.  My allocation of those funds includes restoration of $27 million for community adult education and GED services.  I hope those funds will make it possible for adults across Illinois to access the education and training they need to find employment in these difficult times and work toward a brighter future.

 

I know that this reduction will be felt throughout our higher education system; I can only hope that our universities and community colleges will do their best to continue to provide unsurpassed educational opportunities to their students during this time of budget crisis.

 

Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(d) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby reduce and return several appropriation items included in House Bill 2132, entitled “AN ACT making appropriations” with reductions in the appropriations totaling $24,787,470.

 

Reductions

 

            I hereby reduce the appropriation items listed below and approve each item in the amount set forth in the “Reduced Amount” column below:

 

Article	Section	Page	Line(s)				Amount Enacted	Reduced Amount
1	15	2	5				2,837,000	2,417,400
2	15	3	6				2,519,600	1,683,300
3	15	4	7				1,926,300	1,643,100
4	25	6	1				10,130,300	1,446,160
4	25	6	2				450,700	64,340
5	15	7	4				3,604,000	2,492,130
6	15	8	6				3,539,400	3,104,200
7	15	9	7				3,459,400	1,701,300
8	15	10	8				12,161,900	10,090,500
9	15	11	8				34,675,300	26,847,800
10	15	12	9				2,993,700	2,019,900

 

 

In addition to these specific reductions, I hereby approve all other appropriation items in House Bill 2132.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Pat Quinn

GOVERNOR