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U of I wants bigger budget from the state but calls Pritzker’s proposal ‘strong commitment’

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2 years ago

February 24, 2023

Natural Bridge

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University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen was happy when he heard Governor Pritzker’s budget proposal.

“It’s a great step forward. I really appreciate the governor’s set of priorities,” Killeen said.

During his budget address, Pritzker pitched a seven percent increase to university budgets and a 100 million dollar increase to the MAP Grant Program.

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Seven percent is great, according to Killeen, but they still want more.

“Is this enough? You know, we’re asking for more,” he said. “Our budget request is for 10%. Seven percent is a very strong number. It’s a strong commitment. And we’re delighted to see that and very supportive of Governor Pritzker has value-laden budget.”

Killeen said he also wants more stability going forward. Instead of waiting year to year to find out what the University system will get from the state, Killeen wants a multi-year funding plan, with a set increase every year.

“We’re going to advocate for a few years, multiple years of sustained predictable growth, to get back to where we need to be as a state,” Killeen said.

Killeen was very happy with the MAP Grant increase proposal, as were the three chancellors from the different university branches. The financial aid program is crucial for helping in-state students afford tuition at state schools. University is scheduled to raise tuition for the coming school year by 1.8 percent.

“The map funding is wonderful for providing that quality education to as many students as we possibly can,” UIS Chancellor Janet Gooch said.

University of Illinois administrators were joined by hundreds of students at the Capitol Wednesday for their annual advocacy day.

Students were supporting the MAP Grant increase more than anyone.

“I just wouldn’t have the opportunities without the MAP Grant that I do now. And I wouldn’t be in college,” Juana Cordova, a senior at UIC majoring in Political Science said.

Pritzker says with this additional investment, students will be able to get free tuition at community colleges between MAP grants and federal Pell grants.

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“I feel like having the MAP grant has really allowed me to, you know, worry less about, oh, how am I gonna pay this off in the future?” Mckayla Bartkiewicz, a junior political science major at UIS said.

Pritzker’s proposals for higher education funding are part of a larger increase in education funding across the board. The proposals come in a year where many were calling for a more frugal approach to the budget.

The University of Illinois will be far from the last organization to ask for more money out of the coming budget. UIUC Chancellor Robert Jones says even though there’s more negotiating to be done, the initial proposal shows a bigger commitment than the University is used to for higher education.

“Now to be starting off with the top about 7% is really gratifying because it’s gratifying to be part of a state where the leadership understands the fundamental value of investing in higher education, and investing in his flagship research university,” Jones said.

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Man attacks Jeff Co. deputy with screwdriver during attempted arrest

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.

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The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.

Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.

Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.

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St. Louis Public Schools superintendent to be sworn in

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2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.

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Gas tanker crashes into St. Louis Metro transit center

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2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.

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Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.

A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.

The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.

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