“When we spend taxpayer dollars, we need to fund what works and get rid of what doesn’t. There are no checks on this program. It’s far too easy to abuse and waste the people’s money.”—State Senator Dan Kotowski
Park Ridge, IL – In the wake of more recent news reports regarding abuse of the General Assembly Scholarship Program, State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) is once again calling for its elimination.
“The time has come for the General Assembly Scholarship Program to end,” Kotowski said. “While well-intentioned, the program has no uniform standards and is too easy to abuse. We’d be better off focusing on high-performing programs that go to students who demonstrate academic achievement and measurable financial need.”
A longstanding state law allows state senators and representatives to award free tuition at Illinois’ public universities for up to eight students from their district each year. Though commonly referred to as a scholarship program, in reality, the students receive tuition waivers. The public universities they attend are forced to absorb the cost of their tuition, and this expense can get passed on to other students in the form of tuition increases.
Several prominent media stories have focused on the abuses of the tuition waiver program. In fact, several current and former members of the General Assembly are reportedly under investigation by the FBI. There are also many reports of legislators giving scholarships to family members and children of campaign donors. Prior to leaving the program two years ago, Senator Kotowski had an independent committee that selected tuition waiver recipients. That committee was required to review the applicants’ qualifications and place of residence.
“Getting a college education is one of the best paths to good-paying jobs,” said Kotowski. “When we spend taxpayer dollars on financial aid, we need to get the best return. There are no checks on this program. It’s far too easy to abuse and waste taxpayers’ money. ”
