Quinn Wants More Scholarships For Needy Students

Gov. Pat Quinn wants Illinois to increase scholarships for needy college students.

Quinn held a rally on the issue Wednesday in Springfield. He wants to increase funding for the Monetary Assistance Program by $50 million next year. He says that would give 21,000 more students access to grant money.

The state allocated $373 million this year for the grants, which benefit more than 140,000 students.

The Chicago Democrat is waging a tough re-election battle against Winnetka Republican Bruce Rauner. Quinn has made education funding a core component of his campaign.

Lawmakers must decide whether to extend the state's temporary income tax increase or let it roll back as scheduled next January.

Quinn and other Democrats are pushing for the increase. Republicans say the state must cut spending.