CHICAGO – Key Illinois lawmakers are supporting the Better Government Association’s online petition — http://bit.ly/BGAlegscholpetition — to eliminate the legislative scholarship program. The program, which allows every lawmaker to grant two scholarships a year to a state-sponsored university is beyond reform and should be eliminated.

On Tuesday morning in Springfield, the BGA will deliver petition signatures to the following Illinois lawmakers and leaders:

  • Governor Pat Quinn
  • Lt. Governor Sheila Simon
  • Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan
  • House Minority Leader Tom Cross
  • Senate President John J. Cullerton
  • Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno

The BGA is encouraged that 94 members of the general assembly have voluntarily opted out of the legislative scholarship program, including the entire Republican Caucus lead by Senator Christine Radogno. Here are the names of lawmakers who have opted out:

>> Illinois Senate Opt Outs (see below for full list)
>> Illinois House Opt Outs (see below for full list)

With support from the Senate and House Leadership, a bill to eliminate legislative scholarships can pass and be ready for the Governor to sign by the end of February. There are currently five legislative bills already filed, sponsored by Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate. Here is a list of the current bills

>> Illinois Legislative Scholarship Bills (PDF)

In theory, the scholarships go to deserving students who have the brains to attend a state school, but don’t have the bucks to pay tuition. In reality, the program has been abused as a precious political perk gifted to lawmakers’ friends. There is little oversight or accountability.

Recent investigations by the Better Government Association and other media outlets found lawmakers abusing the program by doling out tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to children or relatives of their friends, political allies and supporters. The latest example came last week when the BGA reported that State Rep. Robert Rita gave a scholarship to the daughter of Chicago Alderman Anthony Beale, a friend and political ally of Rep. Rita. Read the investigation here.

“The BGA recommends lawmakers dump the legislative scholarship program because it’s rotting from within, lacks accountability and is not based on merit but clout,” says Emily Miller, BGA Policy and Government Affairs Coordinator. Read more from Emily Miller on the BGA’s Think Tank blog.

The BGA is urging its members to sign the petition and contact their lawmakers to urge them to eliminate the legislative scholarship program. 

Media Contact: Mary Frances O’Connor
Better Government Association
Chicago, IL 60606
O: 312.821.9026
C: 773.383.1009
mfoconnor@bettergov.org

Illinois Senate Opt Outs From Legislate Scholarships Program (as of 1/30/12)

Sen.PamelaAlthoffRDistrict 32
Sen.TimBivinsR45
Sen.LarryBomkeR50
Sen.WilliamBradyR44
Sen.ShaneCultraR53
Sen.KirkDillardR24
Sen.DanDuffyR26
Sen.MichaelFrerichsD52
Sen.SusanGarrettD29
Sen.DonHarmonD39
Sen.ChristineJohnsonR35
Sen.ThomasJohnsonR48
Sen.JohnJonesR54
Sen.DanKotowskiD33
Sen.DarinLaHoodR37
Sen.ChrisLauzenR25
Sen.DavidLuechtefelR58
Sen.SamMcCannR49
Sen.KyleMcCarterR51
Sen.JohnMillnerR28
Sen.MattMurphyR27
Sen.CarolePankauR23
Sen.ChristineRadognoR41
Sen.SueRezinR38
Sen.DaleRighterR55
Sen.RonSandackR21
Sen.SuziSchmidtR31
Sen.JeffreySchoenbergD9
Sen.HeatherSteansD7
Sen.JonSullivanD47
Sen.DaveSyversonR34
Sen.A.J.WilhelmiD43

Illinois House Opt Outs From Legislate Scholarships Program (as of 2/7/12)

Rep.JasonBarickmanRDistrict 105
Rep.PatriciaBellockR47
Rep.DanielBissD17
Rep.DanBradyR88
Rep.RichBrauerR100
Rep.KellyCassidyD14
Rep.JohnCavalettoR107
Rep.FrancoColadipietroR45
Rep.SandyColeR62
Rep.MichaelConnellyR48
Rep.JerryCostello, IID116
Rep.FredCrespoD44
Rep.TomCrossR84
Rep.WilliamCunninghamD35
Rep.LisaDuganD79
Rep.JimDurkinR82
Rep.Roger L.EddyR109
Rep.PaulEvansR102
Rep.KeithFarnhamD43
Rep.SaraFeigenholtzD12
Rep.MikeFortnerR95
Rep.KentGaffneyR52
Rep.JehanGordonD92
Rep.NorineHammondR94
Rep.DavidHarrisR66
Rep.GregHarrisD13
Rep.KayHatcherR50
Rep.ChadHaysR104
Rep.NaomiJakobssonD103
Rep.DwightKayR112
Rep.ReneeKoselR81
Rep.LouLangD16
Rep.David R.LeitchR73
Rep.KarenMayD58
Rep.Sidney H.MathiasR53
Rep.EmilyMcAseyD85
Rep.Michael P.McAuliffeR20
Rep.Donald L.MoffittR74
Rep.ThomasMorrisonR54
Rep.RichardMorthlandR71
Rep.RosemaryMulliganR65
Rep.MichelleMussmanD56
Rep.ElaineNekritzD57
Rep.ChrisNyboR41
Rep.JoAnn D.OsmondR61
Rep.SandraPihosR42
Rep.Robert W.PritchardR70
Rep.RandyRamey, Jr.R55
Rep.DennisRebolettiR46
Rep.DavidReisR108
Rep.ChapinRoseR110
Rep.PamRothR75
Rep.TimothySchmitzR49
Rep.DarleneSengerR96
Rep.CarolSenteD59
Rep.Keith P.SommerR106
Rep.EdSullivan Jr.R51
Rep.JilTracyR93
Rep.MichaelUnesR91
Rep.JimWatsonR97
Rep.AnnWilliamsD11
Rep.DaveWintersR68

*To add your name to the list of lawmakers who have voluntarily opted out of the legislative scholarship program, please contact Joe from the BGA at JMalinowski@bettergov.org