1. Weathering the Longest State Budget Crisis in History:
Key Decision Makers Track
Sponsored by:
Weathering the Longest State Budget Crisis in History:
What We Learned Defending Illinois Public Higher Education and How We Utilized Grassroots Advocacy Along the Way

2. Weathering the longest State budget crisis in history
What we learned defending Illinois public higher education and how we utilized grassroots advocacy along the way.

3. Illinois Higher education in the News 2016-2017

4. Illinois Impasse 2015-2017 Unprecedented budget impasse
Defunded higher education for 2 years
Institutions forced to restructure budgeting practices
Worked rigorously to engage public debate
Policymakers
University stakeholders
Residents of Illinois

5. Higher Education Funding – FY 2000-2018
SB 61 (P.A )
Stopgap I
Higher Ed Operations Funding
Note: FY17 amount includes Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund and the Fund for the Advancement
of Education in addition to General Funds. Data courtesy of Illinois IBHE.

6. WSIE 88.7FM SIU System FY 2016 Budget Presentation - Proposed Cuts
Small Business Development Center
Continuing Education
University Museums
Center for Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders
MEDPREP
Small Business Development Center
Core Academic Programs &
Critical Student Services
Research Park
University Libraries
Research Centers
Research Park
University Farms
University Libraries
Research Centers
Development & Alumni Relations
88.7FM
WSIE
Touch of Nature
University Press
University Museums
Continuing Education

7. Imagine …
You are six months into the fiscal year and there are no signs of a budget.  Now, imagine you’re at day 700 – and still no budget.
500 faculty and staff positions are cut.
annual fund and development budgets are almost entirely frozen yet there is a greater need for private funds than ever before.
Pay cuts are initiated the first year and furlough days in following years (no pay for the day or access to work).
your organization is living ‘paycheck to paycheck’ and now you have to ask your vendors for payment plans in order to host events.
you visit your healthcare provider and are informed you now must pay when services are provided because the state has not paid its bills in 18 months.
prospective students and their parents are hearing daily through the news media about the lack of funding for their state universities, and they are reluctant to commit to your institution. …

8. What Happened next?
Governmental Affairs Professionals worked diligently to keep higher education in the conversation with Illinois legislators.
Conversations were taking place among alumni association boards as to how they could assist their institutions at this crucial time.
Advancement professionals were fielding questions from alumni regarding the state impasse and affect on campus budgets, staff, faculty, and students.
Executive Directors for the Public University Alumni Associations and Governmental Affairs professionals came together to host conversations about what could be done.

9. Advocacy consortium of public Illinois alumni associations
University of Illinois – Chicago, Springfield, Urbana
Chicago State University
Governors State
Northeastern Illinois University
Illinois State University
Northern Illinois University
Western Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, Edwardsville

10. Illinois Public higher education goals
Twelve public institutions came together to fight for higher education
Mobilization of alumni
Increase higher education voice in the capitol
Move the needle on funding for higher education

11. Illinois Legislative Tool
Illinois public universities submitted data on students and alumni
Added 2010 Census data
Public and not branded so all Illinois public universities can use for a reference
Can also be a reference for Illinois legislators
Next: Federal map
Illinois Legislator Dashboard

14. Illinois Legislative Tool

15. Coalition to invest in higher education
Public Universities
Private Universities
Community Colleges
Labor organizations
Local government
Business advocates
All worked to support and defend higher education in Illinois

16. CASE District V Illinois Grant Program
Announcements were sent to all public institutions in District V
Illinois members had to apply
15 awards were granted
Stipends for travel, conference registration, and lodging (two types of packages)
Award winners provided a recap of their positive experience
Reception to meet and provide a networking opportunity
2018 – Program will be expanded to all of District V

17. Panel
Marissa Brewer – Assistant VP, Alumni Advocacy, University of Illinois Alumni Association
John Charles – Director of Government & Public Affairs, Southern Illinois University
Michelle Suarez - AVC for Development & Alumni Relations and ED for the SIU Alumni Association, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Moderator: Jennifer Neubauer, President, University of Illinois Alumni Association

18. Session evaluations will
be ed.