Leatherneck Nation

Neckfansince71 wrote: Tue Apr 11, 2017 5:36 pmI know the state's budget issues need to be addressed aggressively, but our governor and our legislature have not even taken any positive steps to getting the process going.

If anyone has any ideas on how to motivate the Gov and the General Assembly, this would be the time to implement them. The General Assembly returns to Springfield on April 24. That does not allow much time to get something done.

I believe that Western will have to give their staff a 30-day Layoff notice.

Sad times. The Macomb business owners are getting worried.

Meanwhile at Northeastern Illinois University, they need to cut about $8.2 million in costs to meet payroll through June and another $16.7 million through September unless the State comes up with some funding. Furloughs are expected to save $5.2 million between March and September.

wiu712 wrote: Tue Apr 11, 2017 7:18 pm

Neckfansince71 wrote: Tue Apr 11, 2017 5:36 pmI know the state's budget issues need to be addressed aggressively, but our governor and our legislature have not even taken any positive steps to getting the process going.

If anyone has any ideas on how to motivate the Gov and the General Assembly, this would be the time to implement them. The General Assembly returns to Springfield on April 24. That does not allow much time to get something done.

I believe that Western will have to give their staff a 30-day Layoff notice.

Sad times. The Macomb business owners are getting worried.

Meanwhile at Northeastern Illinois University, they need to cut about $8.2 million in costs to meet payroll through June and another $16.7 million through September unless the State comes up with some funding. Furloughs are expected to save $5.2 million between March and September.

The Governor needs to order enough cots for himself and all members of the legislature and line them up in the Capitol hallways. After everyone has shown up for next legislative session, he announces to all "You can stay or leave but in one hour the doors to the Capitol will be locked. Those staying will not be allowed to leave until we have agreed on a budget. Don't worry, I also ordered extra toilet paper and a continuous supply of coffee and pizza. We can do this".

If he does this, I guarantee Illinois will have a budget in less than a month. Those not willing to work for a budget will be immediately disgraced and easily voted out of office in the next election. Sometimes leaders just have to lead.

Sounds like staff will possibly shoulder the furloughs etc. Here we go again, what will Western's faculty do to assist during the crises? Plan a march? Blame admissions and others for lower enrollment? Show up in the classroom and then leave to go home and let others take the hits?

leatherface wrote: Tue Apr 11, 2017 3:35 pm Looking at your recent posting, where would Western fit in that scenario of school makeup?

UofI System
Urbana/Champaign, Chicago, Springfield, Edwardsville
State University System
Northern, Eastern, Western, Illinois State, Governors State, Northeastern

sealhall74 wrote: Wed Apr 12, 2017 8:09 amThose not willing to work for a budget will be immediately disgraced and easily voted out of office in the next election. Sometimes leaders just have to lead.

We had an election 5 months ago (Nov 2016). That would have been the perfect time to make some changes in this state. However, most of Illinois--including Macomb-- put the same people back in office. I think that only 5 incumbents were defeated state-wide.

The economy in Macomb, Charleston, Carbondale, etc is taking a big hit with no end in sight. If Western has to close down for the summer, things will only get worse.

wiu712 wrote: Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:50 am

sealhall74 wrote: Wed Apr 12, 2017 8:09 amThose not willing to work for a budget will be immediately disgraced and easily voted out of office in the next election. Sometimes leaders just have to lead.

We had an election 5 months ago (Nov 2016). That would have been the perfect time to make some changes in this state. However, most of Illinois--including Macomb-- put the same people back in office. I think that only 5 incumbents were defeated state-wide.

The economy in Macomb, Charleston, Carbondale, etc is taking a big hit with no end in sight. If Western has to close down for the summer, things will only get worse.

Term limits. I get what you're saying, but I don't believe the people that Macomb put in office have been there nearly as long as the Chicago "don". As long as Madigan keeps going back, we're all screwed, as I see it. He's been there for the whole debacle.

As I've said before- don't care what your politics are, one is as bad as the other. Neither Rauner or Madigan should be voted back into office.

And I'm betting Rauner won't. Madigan, however is another story.

But we all know Chicago will put them right back.

Governor Rauner's Facebook video lambasted stopgap initiatives as keeping “universities, community colleges, and social service agencies on the verge of collapse with no permanent funding.”

However, failure to provide any additional funding for higher education and social services will move them from the “verge” of collapse to actually collapsing.

Higher education currently receives 64% less in annual funding than in fiscal year 2015, the last time Illinois enacted a full General Fund budget.

The General Assembly will return to Springfield on April 24.