MACOMB, Ill. (AP) — Western Illinois University is firing 30 faculty members as the school tries to cut costs while it waits for long-overdue state funding.
University trustees voted Monday to cut the faculty jobs to save up to $2 million.
University spokeswoman Alisha Looney said Wednesday that Western Illinois is notifying the affected assistant professors, instructors and others. Looney said some will not actually lose jobs for months due to contract provisions.
Western Illinois and other state universities have been without money from the state government since July as part of the ongoing budget stalemate between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats who control the General Assembly.
About $51 million or roughly 21 percent of Western Illinois' most recent $245 million budget came from the state.