Dillard commends Gov’s proposed abolition of General Assembly scholarship perk

August 10, 2011

Following reports of continuing allegations of abuse surrounding Illinois’ General Assembly tuition waiver program, State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) commended Gov. Pat Quinn for taking action to abolish the program.

“I commend the Governor for his open-mindedness stemming from a letter I sent him last month urging him to abolish the program, and I appreciate the Governor discussing this matter with me recently at a stop in Elmhurst,” said Dillard. “His perseverance, practicality and his use of parliamentary procedure now forces the Legislature to put up, or shut up when it comes to the abolition of this controversial program.

“Literally, in one day during the fall veto session the Legislature could end this controversial program, if it so desires. Quinn’s specific recommendations for change force the Legislature’s hand. He has done the right thing by proposing to end this program, which time has long passed by,” Dillard said. “We’ve repeatedly seen evidence that this program is being abused. To allow this to continue is absurd. Now we have the opportunity to eliminate the program once and for all—and I think many of my colleagues will welcome that opportunity.”

Dillard's comments came following an announcement that Gov. Quinn used his amendatory veto power August 10 to rewrite House Bill 1353, so that the controversial legislative scholarship program would be abolished.

For the last several years, Dillard has opted out of participation in the program, and has sponsored legislation to abolish the program. Despite calls by Dillard and other lawmakers to eliminate legislative scholarships, efforts to do away with the program were repeatedly shot down. However, an opportunity arose to eliminate the waivers when legislation (HB 1353) sponsored by Dillard was approved and sent to the Governor that would have placed greater restrictions on the waiver program.

On July 6, Sen. Dillard sent a letter to the Governor, encouraging him to use his amendatory veto power to alter the legislation and abolish the tuition waiver program.  The Senator has pledged to move to accept Quinn’s proposed changes to the legislation.

“As a former Chief of Staff to Gov. Edgar and Gov. Thompson’s Legislative Director, I know that the bill introduced by Rep. Bob Pritchard and myself is the perfect legal vehicle to allow Gov. Quinn to exercise his constitutional power to specifically recommend changes to the legislation,” Dillard explained. “House Bill 1353 amends the very section dealing with legislative scholarships, so we can be sure that the Governor’s use of his amendatory veto power is constitutional. It’s the perfect bill and the correct use of parliamentary procedure that will allow us to finally stick a stake in the heart of this program, which has been shrouded in controversy.”