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Lawmaker Scholarships Could Change
Some lawmakers want to do away with General Assembly scholarships, but reforms is all they will get for now. The program has a long reputation of lawmakers awarding scholarships to family friends or families of campaign contributors.

That could change thanks to Senate President John Cullerton. He proposes placing restrictions on the process of awarding the scholarships. Lawmakers would be prohibited from picking college students who don't live in the legislator's district and from choosing campaign contributors or their families.

The bill comes on the heels of multiple calls to do away with the program completely. State Senators Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign), Christine Rodogno (R-Chicago), and Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) all introduced bills to eliminate the scholarships. Frerichs' bill was killed in committee while the other two have not been voted on.

Frerichs says universities are already strapped for cash and cannot continue to give out tuition waivers. Rodogno agrees but also says the program shows favoritism and gives lawmakers a bad name.

Cullerton's bill includes an option allowing lawmakers to forfeit their right to award scholarships. He says if opponents want to save money, they can start there.

The bill is SB 365.

(Illinois Radio Network)
02 24 10 by Newsroom
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