The Illinois board of higher education submitted a budget proposal that demonstrated the economic impact community colleges and universities have upon other businesses in the state.
James Applegate, the board's executive director, says if the existence of an industry of similar size and power was threatened, state officials would try to save it.
But Wednesday, Gov. Bruce Rauner proposed cutting higher education funding by 16 percent. Virtually all of that cut is focused on the state's universities.
Due to the budget impasse, Illinois colleges and universities have received no state aid in the past seven months. Rauner says a budget agreement will happen once Democratic lawmakers approve his turnaround agenda.
Applegate cites a recent study that shows 56 percent of Illinois jobs require a baccalaureate degree, and only 19 percent of the workforce has one.
"Unless you are supporting the college education - two and four-year - of your workforce, you're not investing in the future."
Applegate says low-income students who rely on the state's Monetary Award Program are bearing the brunt of the current budget impasse.
"And we're concerned that this breaking the trust on MAP could lead a lot of students to just not even apply. Because why? And that would be a tragedy."
Rauner's budget would, if enacted, fund MAP at the 2015 level.
In last year's budget proposal, the governor recommended a 31 percent cut for higher education.
