This week I participated in a press conference with Representatives Chapin Rose and Jason Barickman to urge an end to the troubled General Assembly Scholarship Program.

The program has been in place for decades. It allows each member of the General Assembly to award the equivalent of eight one-year tuition waivers each year for students to attend a state university in Illinois.

First of all, these waivers are not funded– our universities are expected to just “eat” the costs. When we’re already not paying our universities what we owe them this is just adding insult to injury.

What’s even more troubling is that the program has been plagued by scandal. A recent investigation found that in six years, 122 waivers were given to students who do not live within the awarding legislator’s district. Some were given to political contributors, family members or friends.

I believe public trust will be rebuilt one act of integrity at a time…that’s why I’m sponsoring House Bill 201 which would abolish the program. I will be working to move this legislation forward in our upcoming Veto Session as well.