Rauner Vetoes Bill to Fund Community Colleges and MAP Grants

Governor Bruce Rauner Friday vetoed a bill that would have spent more than $720 million to fund community colleges and MAP grants to low-income students.

The bill passed in late-January without any Republican support. Illinois has yet to fund public universities, community colleges or MAP grants in 2016. Rauner had previously vetoed all but the elementary and secondary education portion of the state budget.

Chicago Democrat and Senate President John Cullerton said Friday, "He had a chance to back up his promises with funding, instead, he let these students down, again. I don't understand how he can propose student financial aid on Wednesday, and then turn around and veto it on Friday."

Rauner has said repeatedly that he would not sign a bill that did not provide a method of funding. He also opposed the bill since it did not include funding for universities. There are other bills that would provide funding and a means of paying the bill pending in the General Assembly.