New bill introduced would fund higher ed; leaders speak to EIU's importance

State Rep. Reggie Phillips discussed a bill at an Eastern Illinois University media briefing Tuesday that would provide emergency funding to higher education institutions.

House Bill 6409, sponsored by Phillips, R-Charleston, and State Rep. Ken Dunkin, D-Chicago, would appropriate $160 million from state general funds to the Board of Higher Education for “emergency assistance to public universities,” according to the measure.

Phillips said the details as to what constitutes emergency assistance are not clear at this time. It also is not clear which universities would receive the funds. Read more by the Journal Gazette & Times Courier.