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recommended by the IBHE, but is supported in total by the fiscal year 2006 budget request formally
approved by the Commission on January 24, 2005.
The Governor’s budget provides only level funding for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and other
Commission activities. General funds enhancements totaling $18.7 million for MAP, included in the
IBHE recommendations for fiscal year 2006, are not included in the Governor’s budget. An additional
$3.7 million in federal MAP funding, contingent on an additional general funds investment of at least
$8.0 million, also are excluded, along with the unallocated balance ($875,000) in the MAP Reserve
Fund. The Governor includes level funding ($5.4 million) for the Merit Recognition Scholarship (MRS)
program, while the IBHE recommendations reallocated MRS funding to the MAP program.
§ Institutional Grants and Special Initiatives: The Governor’s fiscal year 2006 budget eliminates
fiscal year 2005 funding for retention and graduation rate study grants at Chicago State University
($232,000) and Northeastern Illinois University ($279,000) and holds all other grants at the fiscal year
2005 level. IBHE recommendations to reallocate grant funds to higher priorities of the Board,
including reallocations from State Matching Grants, Health Services Education Grants, and the Medical
Scholarships Program, are not incorporated in the Governor’s budget.
§ University Center of Lake County: The Governor’s fiscal year 2006 budget for the University Center
of Lake County does not include IBHE recommended funding needed to operate new facilities in
Waukegan and Grayslake. The budget holds funding for the University Center at the fiscal year 2005
appropriation level.
§ Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: The Governor’s fiscal year 2006 budget for the Illinois
Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) reflects an increase of $390,000 (2.5 percent) in general
funds support over fiscal year 2005 to address salary competitiveness ($320,000) and infrastructure
technology needs ($70,000). The Governor’s budget also includes the Board’s recommendation for an
additional $1.0 million in IMSA Income Fund expenditure authority to address increased costs
associated with the Illinois Virtual High School.
§ Higher Education Agencies: The Governor’s fiscal year 2006 budget eliminates IBHE recommended
funding for salary and Medicare increases for staff of the Illinois Community College Board, State
Universities Civil Service System, and the Board of Higher Education. The Governor’s budget also
eliminates funding recommended by the IBHE for additional staff support at the Board of Higher
Education and does not include the recommended transfer of $92,000 from the Legislative Research
Unit to the Board of Higher Education for Midwestern Higher Education Commission dues.
§ Retirement: The State Universities Retirement System (SURS), as required by state statutes, certified a
total of $364.9 million as the amount necessary to meet statutory funding requirements for the System in
fiscal year 2006. The state appropriated share of the certified amount is $324.9 million. The
Governor’s budget provides a total of $184.4 million in state funds for fiscal year 2006, a decrease of
$140.5 million from the amount certified as needed by SURS, based on estimated savings from reform
of all pension systems as proposed in his budget. The Governor’s budget includes the amount certified
by SURS as required to fund the Community College Retirees Health Insurance program, an increase of
$123,300, or 3.8 percent, over fiscal year 2005.
