Illinois’ public universities are on shaky ground, and their financial troubles may only get worse.
Years of declining enrollments, combined with a decade-plus of state underfunding, are finally coming to a head in Illinois as some public colleges are staring down gaping budget deficits with no quick and easy fixes in sight.
Northern Illinois University recently reported a $31.8 million deficit for fiscal year 2024, while Western Illinois University is laying off 124 faculty and staff to help close a $22 million deficit. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is expecting to report a $14 million deficit, according to its early projections, and Chicago State University and Northeastern Illinois University are still managing the fallout from recent years of financial trouble that rocked both campuses.
A trend...
