Health & Fitness
Dillard, Pihos join in sponsoring HB 3901 to abolish controversial legislative scholarship
Sen. Dillard has taken action to become the Senate sponsor of legislation (HB 3901) introduced by Rep. Pihos that will abolish the state's controversial General Assembly scholarship program.
January 3, 2011
State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) has already taken action to become the Senate sponsor of legislation (HB 3901) introduced by State Rep. Sandra Pihos (R-Glen Ellyn) that will abolish the state’s controversial General Assembly scholarship program.
“I am delighted to partner with Senator Kirk Dillard. I requested his sponsorship of House Bill 3901, because he has been the Senate’s leader in trying to abolish the controversial legislative scholarship program,” said Representative Pihos. While the legislation remains in the House, Pihos has asked Senator Dillard to shepherd the measure through the Senate if it is advanced by House lawmakers.
“I’m on record as being for elimination of the much-criticized tuition waiver program, which time-after-time has been misused by lawmakers. It’s time to stop this costly perk,” said Dillard.
For the last several years Dillard has opted out of participation in the program. The Senator has repeatedly called for an end to the long-abused tuition waiver program, which costs the state more than $13 million annually.
Most recently, Dillard formally requested Gov. Pat Quinn use his gubernatorial amendatory veto power to alter a bill sponsored by Dillard, and abolish the tuition waiver program. Though Quinn did so, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan blocked consideration of the amended legislation.
“The General Assembly should be given the opportunity to vote up or down on whether lawmakers should be able to provide the oft-abused legislative scholarships—particularly when the program has been used to reward friends, campaign donors and other cronies,” said Dillard. “It’s time to end the legislative scholarship perk once and for all!”
