Chicago State University facing financial distress.
By the Associated Press:
Chicago State University officials said the university will burn through cash reserves and eventually need to make additional cuts, according to documents sent to state officials responsible for funding.
University administrators have been trying to create a balance of acknowledging financial urgency while assuring students that the school's future is strong, the Chicago Tribune reported.
"We are adequately reserved for any contingencies we may have," Interim University President Cecil B. Lucy said in an interview earlier this month. "What you have to realize is that if you look historically we have never gone without an appropriation of some sort from the state."
In February, CSU declared a state of financial emergency, and laid off about 40 percent of employees in the spring, reduced library hours and shaved spending on travel and campus supplies.
Documents show the school could burn through its $26 million cash reserves by May and end the academic year with a $3.5 million deficit.
University officials said more budget cuts may be inevitable if the university doesn't receive funding from Springfield. However, there are currently no plans for state money to go to the university next year.
The university currently receives one-third of its funding from the state. Through two stopgap budgets, the university has received about $32.5 million during the past year and a half, which compares with the last full year of state funding, $36.1 million, it received from the state during 2014-15.
CSU was among universities that were hit the hardest by the state budget gridlock that cut off regular appropriations for higher education, social services and other areas.
Looking ahead, the university trustees declared an end to the school's financial emergency on December 9. CSU leaders have outlined plans to move the university forward.
The plans include recruiting more students by advertising the university in creative ways to Chicago's northern suburbs and several nearby states.
Updates to faculty layoff plan and other stuff
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leatherface
- Posts: 423
- Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:42 pm
Another issue not yet discussed, but, likely will be in the future if schools continue to make cuts, faculty leaving, or students going out of state for college: is employers, and their comfort in hiring graduates from some of the schools always mentioned as being in " distress" or perceived to be struggling more than others. Prospective employers will eventually be concerned that some schools will be able to prepare students for the workplace while some who have made cuts, lost talented faculty etc.will not be able to fully prepare a student for employment. Perception is everything. Will the perception be that some schools might have better prepared students than others who have made significant cuts? "Name" schools generally get a different type of corporate recruiters than non-name schools. Will this grow as business recruiters begin to view some schools in a negative light based on constant cuts and negative news articles.?
The care of state workers, retirees, and dependents insured through the State Employees' Group Insurance Program total $3.66 billion and are overdue 18 months or more.
The state owes Springfield Clinic more than $68 million, and Springfield health care providers collectively are owed more than $188 million.
The heads of several departments at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have decided over the past two months to stop accepting new patients insured through certain state of Illinois plans because of payment backlogs associated with those plans, university spokesman Jim Goodwin said.
Washington University doctors, who provide care at St. Louis Children's Hospital and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, are owed a total of $12.3 million for the care of patients insured through the state of Illinois plans, Goodwin said.
The total amount owed, and the state's 18-month delays in payment to the university's group practice, Washington University Physicians, are unprecedented, he said.
The state owes Springfield Clinic more than $68 million, and Springfield health care providers collectively are owed more than $188 million.
The heads of several departments at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have decided over the past two months to stop accepting new patients insured through certain state of Illinois plans because of payment backlogs associated with those plans, university spokesman Jim Goodwin said.
Washington University doctors, who provide care at St. Louis Children's Hospital and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, are owed a total of $12.3 million for the care of patients insured through the state of Illinois plans, Goodwin said.
The total amount owed, and the state's 18-month delays in payment to the university's group practice, Washington University Physicians, are unprecedented, he said.
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Tere North
- Posts: 1152
- Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:59 pm
What I have a hard time understanding is we are paying premiums, yet it appears that money is not being used to pay medical bills. What is all that premium money doing?wiu712 wrote:The care of state workers, retirees, and dependents insured through the State Employees' Group Insurance Program total $3.66 billion and are overdue 18 months or more.
That same question also applies to the State's Group Dental Plan. The last payment was made in May 2015. That is 20 months ago. Yet the State continues to deduct the monthly premium from employee and retiree checks.Tere North wrote:What I have a hard time understanding is we are paying premiums, yet it appears that money is not being used to pay medical bills. What is all that premium money doing?
Calling for WIU to Demonstrate a United Front against the State's Inaction.
From Tri-States Public Radio WIUM-FM:
http://tspr.org/post/calling-wiu-demons ... &utm_term=
From Tri-States Public Radio WIUM-FM:
http://tspr.org/post/calling-wiu-demons ... &utm_term=
Governor Bruce Rauner has made 4 new appointments to the Board of Trustees for Chicago State University:
Paul Vallas: He was the Sup't of Chicago Public Schools 1995-2001. He is a Western Alumnus.
Tiffany Harper: Chicago attorney.
Nicholas Gowen: Chicago attorney.
Kam Buckner: World Sport Chicago executive director.
The Board will now be controlled by Rauner appointees.
“Chicago State is a critical institution for the city of Chicago and Illinois,” Rauner said in a statement. “These four transformational leaders bring the experience and expertise that is needed to help ensure the university’s long-term success.”
Interesting note: Paul Vallas ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2014 with incumbent Governor Pat Quinn. They were defeated by Bruce Rauner and Evelyn Sanguinetti.
Paul Vallas: He was the Sup't of Chicago Public Schools 1995-2001. He is a Western Alumnus.
Tiffany Harper: Chicago attorney.
Nicholas Gowen: Chicago attorney.
Kam Buckner: World Sport Chicago executive director.
The Board will now be controlled by Rauner appointees.
“Chicago State is a critical institution for the city of Chicago and Illinois,” Rauner said in a statement. “These four transformational leaders bring the experience and expertise that is needed to help ensure the university’s long-term success.”
Interesting note: Paul Vallas ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2014 with incumbent Governor Pat Quinn. They were defeated by Bruce Rauner and Evelyn Sanguinetti.
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Neckfansince71
- Posts: 1184
- Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:06 pm
My state senator likes to keep us up to date with the happenings in Springfield. Here is the letter that he sent out this week.
Dear Friend,
I am very happy to report to you that progress is being made in solving the budget crisis! This week not only marked the beginning of the 100th General Assembly, but it also marked the start of a newly found cooperation within the Senate.
The Illinois Senate has taken the lead in putting together a bipartisan budget package that would provide a full year, balanced budget along with a broad range of bills regarding structural reforms and changes, including term limits for legislative leaders, a statewide two-year property tax freeze, workers compensation reform, pension reform, and reforms to trim the cost of government.
On Wednesday, the Senate took its first step toward this budget compromise by unanimously approving a Senate resolution that amends the Senate rules to impose term limits on the Senate President and the Senate Minority Leader. The new rule limits both leaders to a maximum of five terms (10 years). Though this resolution just applies to the Senate leaders, I plan to sponsor a constitutional amendment to advance term limits for all members of the General Assembly.
I also have been delegated to help with discussions and negotiations regarding workers compensation reform, which will also be included in the budget package. Illinois has one of the highest workers compensation rates in the nation. In order to provide a competitive business climate, we must address workers compensation. We have to lower the cost of doing business in Illinois in order to grow the economy.
It is my hope that a vote on the budget package can take place as early as February.
As always, if there is anything I can do for you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office.
Sincerely,
Michael Connelly
State Senator for the 21st District
Probably the most positive statement I have seen in a long long time! Fingers crossed, eyes too!
jc
Dear Friend,
I am very happy to report to you that progress is being made in solving the budget crisis! This week not only marked the beginning of the 100th General Assembly, but it also marked the start of a newly found cooperation within the Senate.
The Illinois Senate has taken the lead in putting together a bipartisan budget package that would provide a full year, balanced budget along with a broad range of bills regarding structural reforms and changes, including term limits for legislative leaders, a statewide two-year property tax freeze, workers compensation reform, pension reform, and reforms to trim the cost of government.
On Wednesday, the Senate took its first step toward this budget compromise by unanimously approving a Senate resolution that amends the Senate rules to impose term limits on the Senate President and the Senate Minority Leader. The new rule limits both leaders to a maximum of five terms (10 years). Though this resolution just applies to the Senate leaders, I plan to sponsor a constitutional amendment to advance term limits for all members of the General Assembly.
I also have been delegated to help with discussions and negotiations regarding workers compensation reform, which will also be included in the budget package. Illinois has one of the highest workers compensation rates in the nation. In order to provide a competitive business climate, we must address workers compensation. We have to lower the cost of doing business in Illinois in order to grow the economy.
It is my hope that a vote on the budget package can take place as early as February.
As always, if there is anything I can do for you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office.
Sincerely,
Michael Connelly
State Senator for the 21st District
Probably the most positive statement I have seen in a long long time! Fingers crossed, eyes too!
jc