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THE DAILY ILLINI
MONDAY April 7, 2014
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871
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48˚ | 38 Vol. 143 Issue 102
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Quinn reasserts support for MAP funding increase »
BY ALEX SWANSON STAFF WRITER
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0RUH LQVLGH For our
editorial opinion on
Students could see an Quinn’s recent speech increase in the amount of financial aid they receive, Gov. Pat on MAP funding, visit Page 4A. Quinn said in a speech at the or education funding at all, and University on Thursday. Quinn’s March 26 budget he does not intend to cut Univerproposal includes a $50 million sity funding. increase to the Monetary Award “We’re at a turning point,” Program, a student aid program Quinn said. “If we go in the that currently provides sup- wrong direction, we’re going port to one-in-five University to cut funding for education.” undergraduates. The increase State Sen. Michael Frerichs, would allow 21,000 more stu- D-52, said he felt the MAP prodents across the state to receive gram has been successful so far MAP grants. in Illinois. Chancellor Phyllis Wise and “It’s a great program across University President Robert the state of Illinois,” he said. Easter introduced Gov. Quinn. “Students in all corners of the Easter called Quinn “a great state participate in this and friend of the University of Illi- receive the benefits of the MAP nois,” while Wise emphasized program.” that MAP funding is “key” to Candace Mueller, the assisthe success of students at the tant director for external relaUniversity. tions at the Illinois Board of Quinn, a Democrat, is cur- Higher Education, said Quinn’s rently running for reelection proposal fits well with the aims against GOP candidate Bruce of the IBHE. Rauner, a businessman from “The Illinois Board of HighWinnetka, Ill. er Education recommends the “I do not want the crowd that budget to the General Assemwants to cut this University by bly ... (and) in our budget rec$83 million in this budget year, ommendation, we do request I don’t want them to win.” Quinn that MAP funding be protectsaid, “I think that’s a losing ed,” Mueller said. “The goverhand.” nor’s proposal to increase fundQuinn said that Illinois canSEE MAP | 3A not afford to cut MAP funding
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Missael Pale, freshman in Media, participates in the Community and Campus Day of Service by helping pack bags of rice that can be turned into a casserole. The event was held at Memorial Stadium on Sunday.
Volunteers package 147,000 free meals Community and Campus Day of Service kicks off National Volunteer Week BY MEGHAN WEBBER STAFF WRITER
Volunteers gathered at Memorial Stadium on Saturday to participate in the second annual Community and Campus Day of Service. This year, Illini Fighting Hunger organized the Food Packaging Project as its primary event to help kick
off National Volunteer Week, which takes place from April 6 to April 12 throughout the country. As facilitators of the event, Illini Fighting Hunger provided leadership and the necessary equipment used to package meals. Although the Food Packaging Project is a daylong event, preparation began six to
eight months in advance to set up the registration and donation processes. “The Day of Service is meant to bring together students and faculty and staff from the University with members of the community in order to benefit the larger community that we’re a part of,” said Max Colon, president of Illini
Fighting Hunger and sophomore in LAS. “Through the Food Packaging event, we’re going to be packaging 147,000 meals to benefit those who are food insecure in the Eastern Illinois Foodbank (coverage area).” The event attracted an estimated 14,000 volunteers,
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Shooting victims honored with tribute walk
JAY JANNER MCCLATCHY- TRIBUNE
From left in the front row, Carol Kimmel, Ace Gallegos and his son Alex Gallegos march in a tribute walk for the victims of the Fort Hood shooting at Lions Club Park in Killeen, Texas, on Friday.
Debt activists gather to spread awareness BY CHRIS PULLAM STAFF WRITER
House Resolution 0620, a bill calling on Congress to restore consumer rights to people with educational debt, will receive a hearing at the Higher Education Committee during the General Assembly on Tuesday April 8. The bill, which came from the Illinois Student Senate, passed through the Illinois State Senate last November and must now pass through the House. Unlike most other forms of debt, student loans do not have consumer protections such as bankruptcy rights, a statute of limitations on collections or the right to refinance. This means that the government can collect on student loan debt by garnishing wages, tax returns, social security benefits and disability benefits. Although the bill is a non-binding resolution, passing the bill would serve as an acknowledgement that Illinois supports this reform. Tony Fiorentino, Illinois Student Senator representing the College of Law, has lobbied for action on student loan reform in the past. He, along with other members of ISS, will testify in Springfield on behalf of the bill. “We’re looking for the standard consumer protections that every other debtor, like people
Police to more strictly enforce rules of the road for bicyclists STAFF WRITER
As the weather continues to warm up and students pull their bicycles out from storage, local police departments begin reinforcing the rules of the road for bicyclists. Last Tuesday, Urbana police began stricter enforcement of bicycle infractions, as 22 people were cited on campus. Sgt. Andy Charles, Urbana Police officer, said the department enforces these rules every year to remind the community of the importance of obeying the rules of the road. “We want to clearly define what our purpose is,” Charles said. “The purpose comes down to where we enforce the traffic laws so that traffic can move safely and efficiently, safety being the first thing and efficiency being the next.” The bike violations fall under the Illinois vehicle code, stating bicyclists will
follow the same laws as motorized vehicles. If the violator pleads guilty, the individual is subject to a fine, which does not work against insurance policies if the violator owns a car. However, bicyclists are given the option of taking a course on their first violation, thus reducing their fines for both the Champaign and Urbana police departments through the Bicycle Diversion Program, which focuses on educating bicyclists on obeying the rules of the road. “If we see a car run a stop sign, we enforce that law. If we see a bicycle run a stop sign, we enforce that law. If we see someone dart out into traffic in the middle of the block, we enforce that law,” Charles said. Lt. Jim Clark of the Champaign Police Department said the department has issued about 114 city ordinance violations since it started the Bicycle Diversion Program. “The violator has the option to go online
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and complete a safety quiz. If they do that, they don’t have to pay a fine and that’s the end of it,” Clark said. He expressed that he has not seen a large increase in compliance yet because the program is still in its infancy. But Clark plans to begin enforcement for bicyclists as the weather improves because of many nearly missed accidents. Nicholas Ezyk, sophomore in Engineering, received a citation for running a stop sign on Goodwin Avenue. He said he agrees with the police tactics to treat traffic violations from cars and bikes equally, but he holds one specific concern in mind: He wants the fines to be used to enhance bicycle infrastructure on campus. “I have popped so many tires on the gravelly, busted-up bike lane on Wright (Street) and have had too many close calls with pedestrians walking in poorly striped lanes,” Ezyk said. Charles said the most common reasons
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When a car fails to yield, do not hug the curb. Watch closely and be prepared to maneuver. Q Continue to obey traffic signals, even if another bike fails to yield. Pay attention to the traffic near you. Q Ride with — not against — traffic Q Always ride at least 5 feet away from parked cars and be cautious of car doors opening. Q Avoid riding on sidewalks unless necessary, use bike lanes if available Q Use hand signals and eye contact to indicate intention to drivers Q
the police are stopping students is for running a stop sign or going the wrong way on a one-way street. The Regional Planning Commission conducted a traffic safety study several years ago to identify the areas where personal injury and fatality occurred. Some of the highest numbers were in Urbana near Goodwin Avenue, between Gregory Drive and Springfield Avenue. They primarily involved pedestrians and bicyclists, Charles said. Nicholas Picciolini, sophomore in Engineering, was also cited for not following the stop sign, and he was given the option of taking the course because it was his first offense. He said he understands the dangers that not following rules might pose. “Bicyclists ignoring stop signs and weaving in and out of traffic make for
SOURCE: CHAMPAIGN POLICE BICYCLE DIVERSION PROGRAM
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How to stay safe on the roads of C-U:
As weather warms, enforcement of traffic laws increases not for ‘raising revenue’ but to improve safety BY JESSICA RAMOS
with credit card debt and gambling debt, takes for granted,” Fiorentino said. “In Illinois, for most consumer debt, after ten years debt collectors can’t enforce a collection action on that debt. It’s illegal, except for student debt. They can come after you for the rest of your life.” This semester, outside of lobbying HR 0620, ISS hopes to schedule a town hall meeting with Sen. Dick Durbin to inform him that students want to see action on this issue. Fiorentino believes that the bill’s success could send a strong message to Durbin, showing him that reform is needed on both the state and federal level. In addition, ISS and University YMCA board members reached out to Strike Debt, a coalition of debt resisters that believe people should not go into debt for basic necessities such as education, health care and housing. While the coalition does not focus on student debt, it aims to design a new economy that fixes many of the same problems that ISS has lobbied against. Thomas Gokey, a member of Strike Debt, spoke at the University YMCA Thursday and Friday about the morality of paying back federal and private loans.
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