Undocumented Illinois college students upset by a recent veto from the governor are set to speak out Friday morning. The students plan to hold a press conference and rally in Chicago at the Plaza de Las Americas on Michigan Avenue.
New proposals are pending in Springfield to address the lack of state funding being provided to higher education institutions during the ongoing budget impasse, now in its tenth month.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois higher education advocates called for action Monday on the state funding crisis impacting colleges, universities and students.
Every $1 billion invested in Chicago-area clean water infrastructure creates or saves an average of 11,200 total jobs and generates an 8 percent economic return over a year.
That's according to a new report, backed by the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) and the Sierra Club, that explores the economic and environmental benefits of local clean water projects, which the groups say are a "win-win-win for Illinois" because they help workers, the economy and the environment.
The report, prepared by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) and the School of Labor and Employment Relations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was formally recognized at Thursday's board meeting of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD).
Student and immigrant advocates are stepping up efforts to pass state legislation aimed at improving college access and affordability for undocumented Illinoisans.
Supporters of the "Student Access Bill" packed a conference room at the University of Illinois at Chicago Wednesday afternoon to launch their advocacy campaign for the legislation.
The measure would let undocumented Illinois students who meet certain requirements compete for state-funded financial aid and scholarship opportunities at public, four-year universities.
Currently, undocumented immigrants in Illinois are ineligible for public university scholarships, grants, waivers and other forms of financial assistance. They also cannot obtain federal student aid.