Quinn wants to abolish lawmaker scholarship program

Quinn wants to abolish lawmaker scholarship program

Gov. Pat Quinn says legislative scholarships should be banned. (Tribune/Antonio Perez)

Gov. Pat Quinn on Tuesday renewed his call to eliminate a program that lets lawmakers grant scholarships to state schools as federal investigators look into how one former legislator doled out the taxpayer-supported tuition waivers.

The governor said lawmakers should focus on beefing up merit-based scholarships instead of handing out scholarships to whomever they please, including campaign donors. But Quinn stopped short of saying what he’ll do with legislation on his desk that would prevent lawmakers from giving the awards to relatives.

Quinn vetoed a similar bill last year saying it didn't go far enough. Quinn said he’ll act on the new legislation by the end of the week, but he’s already voicing doubts.

“The essence of the bill on my desk is that it does not abolish the program, and that’s really what I think we have to do,” Quinn said. “I do want to make it clear that there’s no bigger supporter of scholarships than I am. I believe that we need to enhance our scholarship programs in Illinois, but I think having a program that’s had sort of a cloud of scandal around it for decades is not the way to do that.”

Quinn’s comments follow revelations that a federal grand jury has subpoenaed documents related to scholarships former Rep. Robert Molaro gave to children of longtime supporter Phillip Bruno. The Tribune reported last year that Bruno’s children received more than $94,000 in tuition waivers in recent years despite questions about their residence eligibility.

Lawmakers are allowed to give away the equivalent of two four-year scholarships each year, though most divide them into eight one-year awards. The only requirement is that recipients live in the district of the lawmakers awarding the gift.

Since money is not set aside for the program, schools must pick up the tab each year. It’s a cost Quinn said universities can’t afford, especially since the state is already months behind in making payments to schools.

“Merit and need, I think those are the ways to go,” Quinn said.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/clout/chi-quinn-wants-t...

Views: 45

Comment

You need to be a member of 12160 Social Network to add comments!

Join 12160 Social Network

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

Burbia posted a video

A few reasons I don’t like jews. It’s not complicated.

These are the reasons I became antisemitic. It’s not complicated. Sure, I could go on for days, weeks, months outlining everything, but I don’t need to. This...
2 hours ago
Doc Vega posted blog posts
4 hours ago
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post Unusual Discoveries and Headlines
"Less Prone, Thanks Buddy! I'd like to volunteer as a historical reconstructionist! "
6 hours ago
Less Prone left a comment for t.me/TheIntelligenceLibrary
"Welcome to a revolutionary concept in public communication, the truth."
7 hours ago
pohonemas33 team is now a member of 12160 Social Network
7 hours ago
Less Prone favorited cheeki kea's discussion Tartaria
7 hours ago
tjdavis's 2 blog posts were featured
10 hours ago
Doc Vega's 7 blog posts were featured
10 hours ago
Less Prone commented on Doc Vega's blog post Unusual Discoveries and Headlines
"Some incredible pieces of history!"
10 hours ago
Less Prone favorited Doc Vega's blog post Unusual Discoveries and Headlines
11 hours ago
tjdavis posted a blog post
22 hours ago
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post Government Issued Wearables? What’s Wrong With this Picture?
"cheeki kea Ha! Good one!"
Friday
tjdavis posted a video

This is Paris Now… You Won’t See This in the Tourist Brochures

In this video, I take you through Marché Barbès and its surrounding neighbourhoods — an area that reflects the modern, complex face of Paris most tourists ne...
Friday
Doc Vega posted a blog post

Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Passes Amidst Democrat Lies About a Tax cut for the Rich Being Averted

AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.It’s over, folks. President Trump and congressional Republicans aimed to…See More
Thursday
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Wednesday
cheeki kea commented on Doc Vega's blog post Government Issued Wearables? What’s Wrong With this Picture?
"I wonder what wearables must have been like before the last reset. "
Wednesday
Burbia commented on Burbia's video
Tuesday
Doc Vega commented on tjdavis's blog post National Blueprint For Biodefense
"Another scare tactic to push people into anew regime of vaccinations! Either that, or this is a…"
Tuesday
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Tuesday
Sandy posted a video

Dr. Mike Yeadon Speaks Out Against Digital ID, CBDCs, and Agenda 2030

Dr. Mike Yeadon, ex-Pfizer VP, urges public rejection of digital ID, CBDCs, and Agenda 2030, warning of future restrictions on freedom and privacy.
Tuesday

© 2025   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted