DeKALB — Freeman addressed the 1% increase in state spending for NIU on Wednesday at the University Council.
Freeman discussed Governor JB Pritzker’s budget proposal last week Wednesday, and his announcement of a 1% increase in spending for public universities for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) as part of state education spending.
This 1% increase in spending for FY27 is consistent with FY26 and is a decrease compared to Fiscal Year 2025, which had an increase of 3%.
NIU is expected to receive $104 million in operating funds, which is $26 million less than the $130 million NIU requested at a Board of Trustees meeting last November. Despite this, NIU is the second-highest funded public university in Illinois, behind the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign which will receive $746 million.
Freeman said a 1% increase is better than a decrease.
“Nothing is final until the budget is voted on by the Illinois General Assembly, but I think this is a better sign than a flat budget or a decrease,” Freeman said.
Freeman addressed the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant funding, which remains at $721 million for FY27.
The MAP grant is a needs-based financial aid program for Illinois college students. It is administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
“Funding for the Monetary Award, or the MAP program, was held flat at $721.6 million and $50 million, respectively,” she said.
The AIM HIGH Grant Program assists prospective undergraduate students at Illinois public four-year institutions with tuition costs.
Freeman remained optimistic while advocating for increased funding for NIU.
“Right now it’s really important for all of us to keep raising our voice to advocate for what’s been offered and to continue to advocate for the need for equitable, sustainable and adequate funding for the public universities in Illinois,” Freeman said.
The next University Council meeting will take place at 3 p.m. on April 1 in Altgeld Hall, Room 315.
