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WIU's Share
Of Illinois' Budget Deficit Equals $2.7 Million
Dear Colleague:
In two separate requests for funding cutbacks, $25 million and
$45 million, Governor George Ryan imposed a $70 million spending
reduction in public higher education Fiscal Year 2002 budgets
to help close a deficit in the State's budget. This deficit is
a result of a slumping national economy, the terrorist attacks
of September 11, and a shortfall in the State employees' health
insurance fund. WIU's share of the FY2002 budget call back is
$2.7 million.
In November of 2001, higher education was
asked to reserve a little over one percent of the total state
appropriations. This amounts to $741,100 for WIU. As a result
of the budget planning decisions adopted with the FY2002 operating
budget, a contingency reserve was established to offset an anticipated
decline in available tax revenue from the State of Illinois. Fortunately,
it was possible for WIU to utilize this reserve to completely
satisfy the first budget call back of $741,100.
Governor Ryan's second request that the
State's public higher education institutions cover a portion of
the estimated $110 million shortfall in the State of Illinois
employees' health insurance fund equates to an additional call
back of $1,944,800 for WIU. To address this shortfall in the health
insurance fund, the President, Vice Presidents, and Deans are
developing plans within their divisions to achieve the necessary
level of reductions.
Complying with the second round of budget
cutbacks may result in the reduction of travel expenditures, cancellation
or delay in the procurement of equipment, supplies, and services,
postponement of routine maintenance projects, as well as holding
vacant positions open. At this time, layoffs of currently employed
full-time staff are not anticipated.
The campus community's cooperation in this
challenging budget environment is appreciated.
Sincerely,
David R. Taylor
President
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