Two representatives from the Student Association traveled to Springfield to deliver the state-wide budget initiative letter, which was supported by 21 Illinois higher education institutions.

The letter expresses a need for a Fiscal Year 2016 budget that gives sufficient funding to higher education institutions. The SA confirmed their support of the initiative during a Feb. 28 SA Senate meeting. The letter was written in response to the state budget impasse, which has resulted from state lawmakers’ lack of agreement with Rauner on a budget for FY 2016. Until a budget is passed, state budget appropriations cannot be disbursed, including funding for higher education.

Timothy Brandner, SA sergeant at arms, composed the letter and reached out to other institutions.

Brandner and SA Senator Matthew Holt delivered the initiative Monday to eight Illinois government officials, including the offices of Gov. Bruce Rauner and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

“[On Monday] we were trying to target democratic members of the [Illinois House of Representatives] to stress the importance that we are very appreciative of the work they’ve been doing to try to get a budget passed,” Brandner said. “But it’s hit the point where it’s time for them to do some compromising so that way Republican members are more likely to pass [a budget].”

Because today was the first day back in session, many of the representatives that Brandner and Holt wished to talk to were not in Springfield, Brandner said.

Brandner reached out to student government representatives at roughly 60 to 70 higher education institutions in late February in hopes of gaining official support for the initiative. Institutions were required to sign on by Sunday in order to be included in the initiative.

In addition to giving their simple support of the initiative, six other institutions created their own letters that were delivered alongside the original initiative.

Brandner said the next step is reaching out to news outlets in hopes of garnering attention for the lack of funding being received by higher education institutions.

Sean Anderson, student member on the Illinois Board of Higher Education, will potentially be providing a news outlet contact list. If this does not occur, Brandner said he will attempt to contact organizations, primarily broadcast news, via email.

The SA has also organized a lobbying event for April 13, during which members will continue to reach out to state lawmakers about the budget impasse.

“We won’t stop trying to get in contact with [state lawmakers], because this is so important,” Holt said. “If we stop trying, we’re just telling them that the budget impasse is okay.”