The California Idea Goes East (to the Midwest)

Well, it's an idea, anyway

The notion of multi-year deals on tuition and funding such as the one UC did with the governor seems to have arrived in Illinois. Look for it to come back to UC when the current deal expires:

In an attempt to overcome unprecedented budget gridlock in Springfield, University of Illinois trustees Thursday backed a quid pro quo deal that would secure funding for the university's three campuses.

The proposal would guarantee state funding for the next five years, starting with $662 million this coming year. In exchange, the university would commit to enrolling a minimum threshold of in-state undergraduates, increasing financial aid and limiting tuition increases to the rate of inflation.

State Sen. Bill Cunningham and Rep. Michael Zalewski, both Democrats, are chief sponsors of the legislation, introduced in Springfield on Thursday morning. The General Assembly's veto session begins next week.

"This is a 100 percent performance bill," U. of I. President Timothy Killeen said at Thursday's board of trustees meeting. "It arguably would be the most comprehensive agreement of its kind in the nation, and the first in Illinois history to incorporate public-university performance standards into state law."...

Full story at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-university-of-illinois-budget-bill-20161110-story.html