"The Governor says we can't afford to give colleges and universities the state assistance they promised this year," Hynes said following a round table discussion with administrators from Western Illinois University. "I say we can't afford not to. I say investing in our colleges and universities is one of the best investments this state can make to help ensure a thriving economy and a solid future for the next generation. The Governor needs to keep his word and give the universities the funding they were promised."

It's been reported that upwards of $100 million of higher education funding is being targeted for cutback. The Governor has said he must make the cuts to help plug a budgetary hole. However, many believe the Governor is threatening funding for higher education and other critical programs to try to force the Legislature into agreeing to his initiatives.

"Our colleges and universities already are receiving less funding from the state this fiscal year than they did five years ago. At the same time average tuition costs have increased well over 50 percent," Hynes. "This misguided threat by the governor would put our institutions of higher learning even further behind financially and put the dream of a college education out of reach for many students."

Hynes noted that the Governor's threatened action, coming so late in the fiscal year, makes it even more difficult for the universities to sustain those cuts and manage their already tight budgets.

"It's a question of priorities. Do we want to move Illinois forward and be competitive in a global economy or do we want to keep running in place as states around the country and the rest of the world pass us by," Hynes said.

Later in the day Hynes met with administrators at Blessing Hospital in Quincy to discuss the Medicaid program and the impact the state's fiscal condition has had on essential health care providers.