Published: October 03, 2009 09:39 pm      

End lawmakers' tuition waivers

Not many Illinois residents realize their tax dollars go to benefit the children of campaign contributors of some of the state’s lawmakers.

For years, Illinois legislators have given away two four-year scholarships to state universities every year. According to the Chicago Tribune, lawmakers between 2003 and 2008 gave 140 tuition waivers to relatives of campaign donors, with another dozen going to children of their employees and 87 to lobbyists or other political contacts.

Since the General Assembly never set aside any money to pay for the waivers, the schools must find other ways to make up the loss.

State Rep. Bill Black has long been an outspoken opponent of the practice. He recently promised to introduce a bill this fall to end it. Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, a Republican like Black, already has a bill pending in the Senate.

In the wake of the continuing political scandal generated by allegations that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich traded political favors for campaign contributions, it’s time to stop the practice of giving away scholarships.

If the General Assembly and Gov. Pat Quinn really want to help deserving Illinois students succeed, they should be sure the state’s Monetary Award Program receives full funding. The program awards tuition assistance based on need.

Quinn had promised to be sure the MAP program had enough money, but then blamed the Legislature for not doing its job when it cut $200 million. What he neglected to mention was the $180 million-plus he had set aside from funds that lawmakers thought would go to MAP.

In the meantime, students who depended on MAP money are left with little recourse.

It’s time to eliminate the tuition waivers handed out by lawmakers and fully fund MAP. Let Illinois help its best and brightest students further their education to strengthen the state and erase politics from the process.