Illinois Universities In Jeopardy Of Losing Accreditation

A saying is painted on the edge of a bench as two students depart the student union on the campus of Chicago State University Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Chicago. The ongoing state budget crisis has prompted Chicago State University to send out letters telling its 900 employees that they could be laid off. It is not clear how many employees could be laid off but under federal law, employers with more than 100 employees must give 60 days notice of possible layoffs to all their workers.
A saying is painted on the edge of a bench as two students depart the student union on the campus of Chicago State University, which has been hard hit by Illinois' ongoing budget impasse. Charles Rex Arbogast / AP Photo
A saying is painted on the edge of a bench as two students depart the student union on the campus of Chicago State University Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Chicago. The ongoing state budget crisis has prompted Chicago State University to send out letters telling its 900 employees that they could be laid off. It is not clear how many employees could be laid off but under federal law, employers with more than 100 employees must give 60 days notice of possible layoffs to all their workers.
A saying is painted on the edge of a bench as two students depart the student union on the campus of Chicago State University, which has been hard hit by Illinois' ongoing budget impasse. Charles Rex Arbogast / AP Photo

Illinois Universities In Jeopardy Of Losing Accreditation

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The state budget impasse could affect the accreditation of Illinois universities, which are already facing a funding cut under the recently proposed budget.

The Higher Learning Commission, which accredits schools in the Midwest, recently issued a letter cautioning lawmakers that a lack of funding places Illinois universities at risk of losing their accreditation.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale President Randy Dunn says losing accreditation could make it difficult to hire more staff.

The commission wrote that the budget crisis has led to increased tuition, delays in grants for financially needy students, staff reductions and canceled capital projects. They say diminished cash reserves will hurt students.

The budgets recently proposed by Democrats and Republicans would cut funding by 10 percent. The state’s universities haven’t received funding since 2016.