Ammons Stands with University of Illinois Students to Fight for Higher Education Funding

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, stood alongside students from Illinois Universities in Springfield last week in support of strong funding for higher education. Ammons met with students at the Capitol to discuss how Gov. Bruce Rauner’s elimination of higher education funding and financial aid opportunities is threatening state colleges and universities.

“Our public universities and colleges are vital not only to educating the leaders of tomorrow, but employing thousands of residents and keeping talented young minds in our state,” Ammons said. “Gov. Rauner’s veto of a higher education budget not only makes Illinois universities less attractive to prospective students, but may permanently endanger the futures of those who will be forced to put their college careers on hold due to lack of financial aid programs.”

Ammons met with numerous college students from the University of Illinois during the Illinois Public University Student Lobby Day, an event coordinated by various student governments from public universities across Illinois. The theme of the event, “#CutsMeanUs,” was intended to show the governor that young lives will be forever changed by cuts to higher education.

Earlier this year, Ammons supported a budget that protected the University of Illinois and other public colleges and universities from dangerous cuts, and continued funding for Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants that make a college education more affordable.