The presidents of Illinois' nine public universities are urging Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and leaders in the Democrat-controlled General Assembly to end the ongoing state-budget stalemate. The presidents said in a letter to the governor and lawmakers on Thursday that uncertainty over how much state money the schools will get this fiscal year and when they'll get it is beginning to damage their ability to teach and do research.
They also claim students and employees are starting to wonder whether Illinois is the best place to be. In a separate message to the University of Illinois's three campuses President Timothy Killeen called the continued uncertainty unsustainable. State government is operating without the budget that was due July 1 while the dispute over state spending continues.
