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Legislative Scholarships Again Debated in General Assembly
(IRN)-While the Illinois General Assembly does not appear to be ready to do away with its legislative tuition waiver program altogether, one reform has passed the House. A bill sponsored by Representative Bob Pritchard (R-Hinckley) prohibits lawmakers from giving the scholarships to their own relatives.

"For Fiscal Year (2010), there was $13.9 million awarded to state universities for scholarships, approximately 1,487 awarded by members on behalf of the General Assembly," said Pritchard.

News reports over the past couple of years have suggested many of the waivers are politically motivated.

The deaths of a couple of residents in recent years at a Charleston group home prompted a bill sponsored by Representative Greg Harris (D-Chicago). Facilities such as Graywood would come under more scrutiny, especially when there could be abuse.

Harris says Graywood employees this year fatally beat resident Paul McCann because he took a cookie without permission. Harris says if his legislation becomes law, it will be known as "Paul's Law."

HB 1353 (scholarships) has passed the House, 113-3.

HB 653 ("Paul's Law") has passed the House 115-0-1.

(Source: Illinois Radio Network)
04 18 11 by Newsroom
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