State univ. students, staff to speak; Lt. Gov. Simon will testify on community colleges

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign) and State Representative Naomi Jakobsson (D-Champaign) will convene a joint hearing on college affordability Wednesday as chairs of the Senate and House committees on higher education. Committee members will hear testimony from students as well as representatives of state universities and community colleges. Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon will also speak.

"The affordability of a college degree must be foremost in our discussion of higher education," Frerichs said. "Illinois families are doing more with less these days, yet the costs of tuition, textbooks and room and board keep rising. Educational debt limits too many students' post-graduation options. Legislators need to hear how the cost of college impacts students, how institutions are addressing the problem of affordability and what the legislature can do to help."

The meeting will be a subject matter hearing; no specific legislation will be considered. It will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, in Room D1 of the Stratton Building in Springfield. Confirmed witnesses include staff and students from the University of Illinois, Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University and the Illinois community college system. Simon will testify about the educational and financial needs of community college students. In 2011, Simon toured all 48 of the state's community colleges.

"Funding MAP grants but also considering other approaches to college affordability will keep more of our young people in Illinois after graduation," Jakobsson said. "Talented college graduates leave our state when they can't find a job that will let them pay off their debt quickly. Addressing the financial piece of the higher education puzzle is crucial to maintaining one of Illinois' greatest assets: its high-quality workforce."

"I'm looking forward to this chance to listen to the students who rely on Illinois' excellent college and university system to prepare them for life and the workforce," Frerichs said. "I hope this hearing gives rise to legislation that will open the door to higher education for more Illinoisans."

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael Frerichs (D – Champaign) was appointed today to chair the Senate Committee on Higher Education for the 98^th General Assembly (2013-14). He will also serve as co-chairman of the bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA), a legislative support service that monitors the state’s economy, pension funds and tax revenue and weighs in on state facility closures and state employee health insurance.

“During my time in the General Assembly I’ve demonstrated a commitment to protecting our excellent system of state universities and community colleges,” Sen. Frerichs said. “As chairman, I will focus on improving the affordability of higher education for middle-class and working-class families.”

Sen. Frerichs has been a member of the Senate Committee on Higher Education for six years. He has served as its vice chairman since 2009, when he also was first appointed to COGFA.

COGFA is a legislative support services agency that provides the General Assembly with information regarding the state and national economies, revenue projections and state government operations. It produces reports on the funding of state retirement systems and the State Employee Group Insurance Program. Members of the Commission hold hearings on state facility closure proposals and vote on whether or not to recommend closure.

Last year, as a member of COGFA, Sen. Frerichs helped resolve a dispute over the bidding process for state employee health insurance contracts. Serving as a voice for downstate employees worried about their benefits, he pushed for COGFA to allow the bidding to be reopened to longtime employee insurance provider Health Alliance.

“As pressure mounts for legislators to make significant choices about the future of state spending, revenue and employee benefits, it’s more important than ever that we base those decisions on accurate, unbiased information,” Sen. Frerichs said. “I look forward to helping COGFA lead the way in establishing the context for the fiscal policies we’ll consider in the next two years.”

NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator Michael Frerichs, 52nd Legislative District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 10, 2012

FRERICHS HOLDS FOOD AND FUND DRIVE TO BENEFIT LOCAL FOODBANK

In conjunction with Hunger Action Month, State Senator Mike Frerichs is hosting a food and fund drive to benefit Eastern Illinois Foodbank from Sept. 10^th through Sept. 28^th.

“This fall, I wanted to find a way for the community to come together to help those who need a little extra help this week,” said Frerichs. “In light of Hunger Action Month, I thought it might be helpful if the community could help provide our local foodbank with some much-needed items.”

Frerichs recognizes the Eastern Illinois Foodbank’s need for donations does not end with the holiday season. Local food and fund drives are the key sources of food and funding in their effort to alleviate hunger in our community.

“The Foodbank has always been grateful to our area legislators for their continued support of our mission, said Jim Hires, Executive Director of Eastern Illinois Food Bank.  “Particularly during Hunger Action Month this September, is noteworthy that Senator Frerichs has been a prominent voice that has spoke out against hunger.   We are pleased to be have formed these types of partnerships in alleviating hunger in east central Illinois.”

Frerichs will be accepting donations at his district offices as well as community events co-hosted by him. Donations will be accepted at the following times and locations: The Illinois Bus Terminal, 45 E. University, Suite 206, Champaign from 9:30AM to 4:30PM and  28 W. North Street, First Floor, Danville from 9AM to 12PM and then 1PM to 4PM. To make a monetary donation visit eifoodbank.org/donate. 

###