IL HR0393

Public university tuition in the United States rose more than 15 percent in the last five years, with Illinois experiencing a 79.3% average annual increase in tuition and fees from 2004-2009.

Illinois ranked fifth nationally for tuition and fee increases at $10,014, driven by rising administrative spending, student support services, and reduced government subsidies.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville approved at least 98 sabbaticals for professors at 4.5 months to one year at mostly 100 percent pay while simultaneously increasing tuition 6% at Edwardsville and 4.5% at Carbondale.

House resolution calls on universities to eliminate or sharply cut back sabbaticals to demonstrate fiscal conservatism and set an example aligned with the business world during economic hardship.

Suitable copies of the resolution shall be presented to the Illinois Board of Higher Education and all public university presidents in Illinois.