The Champaign News-Gazette reports that the board approved the $3.47 billion budget request Tuesday. That amount includes money for public universities, community colleges, grants and other programs for 2018-2019. The Illinois Legislature and Gov. Bruce Rauner will now consider it.
Public universities would get about $1.1 billion. That's up $24.1 million from this year. But Illinois public university presidents had asked the board for another $100 million to restore funding to levels before the two-year state budget impasse.
Board executive director Al Bowman says the presidents' request is legitimate but the board believes its recommendation should ``reflect the state's current financial situation.''