The Illinois economy could play a role in whether NIU will receive an increase in their operating budget for the next fiscal year.

Newly elected Gov. Jim Edgar has made it known that the budget increases would depend on how the Illinois economy is doing, said Eddie Williams, vice president of financial planning.

“As we get closer towards the legislating session, more information will be available on the state budget and we’ll know the chances of us of receiving it,” Williams said. The Illinois tax surharge could make a difference in whether the budget increase is approved, he added.

The Illinois Board of Higher Education has made recommendations to the General Assembly that call for an 8.9 percent increase in the state’s public higher education budgets.

The increases would include an 8.3 percent increases for state university schools such as NIU. Additional money would cover such areas as Medicare, sick leave payouts and related expenses for employees.

NIU’s recommended budget would be $131 million, up from the $120.9 million appropriated by the General Assembly for the current fiscal year.

The IBHE recommendations would provide boosts to improve undergraduate education, to promote minority achievement programs, and to expand economic development programs for NIU.

Among priorities for NIU are funds needed for heating in Wirtz Hall and the construction for the new education center in Rockford.

Williams is hopeful the budget increases will be approved.

“We’re doing everything we can to get the legislature and Gov. to approve it,” Williams said.

The General Assembly will begin serious discussion in March, and should resolve the issues in the spring, Williams said.

“We’ll take our case to the legislature and show them how badly the funds are needed at NIU to support our faculty and our academic programs. Our president is skillful at this and we’ll see if they support the higher education budget,” he said.