The Illinois Board of Higher Education's funding recommendations for next fiscal year include another bump in operational funds - and SIU leaders say they're glad to see it.
The recommendation, announced last week, is for a 7.5% increase in general funding, as well as another boost for MAP grants and other access and need-based programs.
SIU President Dan Mahony says the request speaks volumes to the support for colleges and universities in Illinois.
"I've been a lot of places, and the IBHE - or its equivalent - is not always as supportive of higher education, and supporting higher education with additional funding as we have seen in recent years here. So I'm deeply appreciative of IBHE and their leadership on this."
The recommendation will now go to Governor JB Pritzker and state lawmakers, as they work to put together a fiscal plan for the budget year that starts July first.
Governor Pritzker is scheduled to give his annual Budget and State of the State Address on February 15.