State Representative Carol Ammons wants to provide more state funding to Illinois universities and colleges. Ammons was recently appointed chair of the state's Higher Education Committee.

Two bills recently passed the state legislature that aim to keep more Illinois high school students in state for college. This comes as the Illinois Board of Higher Education reports that since 2000, the number of Illinois residents enrolled as freshman at colleges outside of Illinois has increased by 73 percent. 

Al Bowman, a former president of Illinois State University, has been tapped to lead the Illinois Board of Higher Education. His appointment comes as higher education institutions have seen their budgets slashed and enrollment decline, so it’s hard to know whether to congratulate him.

Illinois' public colleges and universities have weathered the two year budget impasse and are once again expecting routine state aid payments. As the schools look ahead, they're working to secure their financial footing and publicly rebound from the ordeal.

Two days after withdrawing his nomination to the state Board of Higher Education, Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed John Bambenek to a similar panel. The governor on Friday named the University of Illinois cybersecurity lecturer to the Illinois Community College Board. Bambanek wouldn’t comment on Rauner’s earlier decision, but says he’s grateful for the chance to serve.