The Illinois Senate has agreed to end the practice of letting lawmakers hand out free college educations to their constituents.
Lawmakers have sometimes awarded scholarships to the children of donors and political allies or even their own relatives. They have also violated the rule saying recipients must live in the legislator's district. But supporters, like Democratic Senator Kimberly Lightford of Maywood, say the scholarships let them help promising students who otherwise would not be able to attend college: "To allow all of us -- all of our constituents -- to not have an opportunity to receive a legislative scholarship because you have a small number of 177 that may have had mishaps, is really, really a travesty."
For years, the Senate has been the last roadblock in efforts to end the program. Thursday's Senate vote makes it likely the Illinois House and the governor will quickly take the final steps in getting rid of the legislative tuition waivers.
The measure passed 43 to 5, with another five senators voting "present."
