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REDBIRDS RUN PAST DRAKE ON DOUG COLLINS NIGHT

PROFESSORS’ ADVICE FOR TRUMP’S AMERICA

SPORTS 8

FEATURES 6

Check out the Taste of Redbirds photo gallery on videtteonline.com MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2017

Vol. 129 / No. 34

ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSIT Y’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1888

Julie Jones

John Rauschenberger

Sharon Rossmark

Rauner appoints 3 new board members Attorney Julie Jones, business owner John Rauschenberger, AeroVista Innovations Chief Operating Officer Sharon Rossmark will fill the vacacted spots on the Board of Trustees STEPHANIE RODRIGUEZ News Reporter | @StephanieRoddd

G

ov. Bruce Rauner named three new members to the Illinois State University Board of Trustees Friday to fill the three vacant spots left by Jay D. Bergman, Anne Davis and Betty Kinser. It was unclear when the governor was going to appoint the new members, as Assistant Director of Media Relations Rachel Hatch explained, though it was expected to happen sometime this month. Rauner named attorney Julie Jones, former ISU football player and current consulting firm owner John Rauschenberger and Chief Operating Officer of AeroVista Innovations av iation f ir m Sharon Rossmark as the newest members to the board. The Illinois Senate approves each trustee who then hold appointments of six years,

after which they have the option to apply for reappointment. Hatch said she knew Rauner would pick ISU alums who possess the enthusiasm and drive required to hold a seat at the table. “[Board members] are here for every commencement ceremony and for Founders Day. We have quarterly meetings which they come to — and they come from all over state to be here,” Hatch said. “They try to be as involved as they can and they serve on committees. So it’s a big ask for somebody to do that for a long period of time.” “You want someone who is going to be actively interested in Illinois State, you want someone who is going to believe in the university and want to help it,” Hatch said. Farewells to the trio leaving the board were said this month during the quarterly board meeting. Hatch said each member

who departed brought different and helpful perspectives during their time and assisted in making the university what it is today. “[Bergman] is a business man, so we have gotten an incredible amount of business acumen and input that we can use, that we’ve been able to use,” Hatch said. “Any large purchases and any land that is sold goes through the board. (It) approved Hancock Stadium, the Alumni Center and the State Farm Hall of Business. He has been able to give a businessman’s input on them.” The Board of Trustees consists of the seven governor-appointed members and one student trustee voted in by the his or her peers. Senior Ryan Powers currently holds that position and said he enjoyed working with the members who left the board this month. “As a student it can be overwhelming

working with a body with this kind of power and authority. However, these members helped me feel comfortable during the meetings and respected the viewpoints I had,” Powers said. “It has been a great to get to know these members and have the chance to work with them. Without a doubt the board will not be the same without them.” Hatch said the transition of members will hopefully run smoothly. Each new member appointed is willingly, volunteering their time to help their alma mater succeed and the university is ready to start this new phase. “I’m excited to help the new people learn all the great things and catch them up to speed on what’s going on since the last time they were here,” Hatch said. For more information on the Board of Trustees, visit IllinoisState.edu/Trustees.

Still no plans for Illinois budget With lawmakers meeting Wednesday in Springfield, many wonder if funding will be passed KEVIN SCHWALLER Senior News Reporter | @kevschwa

There is still no set plan to resolve Illinois’ budget crisis, almost one month into the new year. Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) told the Chicago Tribune that a compromise budget deal will get a Senate vote Wednesday, but it is unknown whether the House will consider the deal. “We’re not negotiating with the

House or the governor,” Cullerton told the Chicago Tribune. “We’re trying to see if we can get a bill out of one chamber. If this passes, I would hope that the speaker and [House Republican leader Jim] Durkin would replicate our efforts and pass their own agreed bill and then we could reconcile those two so we could send something to the governor.” The Senate plan includes six new casinos, borrowing $7 billion to pay down debt, a statewide minimum wage hike to $11 an hour in the next five years and a one cent-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks like soda, juice and tea.

Among state agencies and institutions, higher education has taken a hit without state funding since 2015. Illinois State University Chief of Staff Jay Groves said he hopes the differences between Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Michael Madigan and Gov. Bruce Rauner, another block on a budget plan, can be pushed aside to focus on agreement. “The contentiousness between those two has been keeping a full budget from being passed in the last two years, so hopefully the legislatures can push that contentiousness aside and work towards a full budget for higher education, instead of the stopgap measures,” Groves said. “There are a lot of challenges facing the General Assembly,” Groves said. “We have a lot of big economic challenges and political

Photo Illustration by Emma Horath | Senior Photographer

The State of Illinois has not had a budget since 2015. challenges to overcome.” Cullerton said in a press conference the political parties need to

come together to finally settle the budget. see BUDGET page 2


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