Business leaders in Charleston and Coles County say cutbacks at Eastern Illinois University aren't unexpected - but that doesn't make them any easier to absorb.
Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Cindy White says there have been indicators for years that cuts were coming, particularly after the Great Recession:
"The business world experienced this - the downturn - back in 2008. In many ways, universities - and secondarily, university communities - are insulated from the full effects of that downturn."
White says businesses have already been shouldering a drop in enrollment at EIU, but layoffs at the school will exacerbate the problem as some will cut back spending and others may move out of the area to look for work.
Dozens of employees were laid of this week, and more open positions won't be filled. EIU Administrators say declining enrollment and lower state resources are to blame.