Thirty years ago, nearly half of the budget for the University of Illinois was paid by the state. Over time, that’s fallen to something closer to 16 percent. And today, the university finds itself in crisis. The state owes the University $487 million. To try and get a hold of its finances, The University has implemented cost-cutting measures like furlough days. Some say it’s not just state finances that have gotten the University of Illlinois’ Chicago campus in trouble. 

A group of UIC faculty and students are there this morning to deliver a letter to Governor Pat Quinn’s representatives stressing the importance of higher education. 

Maria de Los Angeles Torres directs Latin American and Latino Studies program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She’s one of the organizers behind today’s furlough day protest, and joins us live from the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago.

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