Before he was elected governor, Democrat Rod Blagojevich pledged to support higher education funding, and he had the support of many university faculty unions.

However, some on Eastern’s campus are not sure Blagojevich will be able to come through with that promise.

In January of 2001, before the political primaries, the University Professionals of Illinois sent all the candidates running for governor a questionnaire on higher education issues, said Eastern’s UPI President David Radavich.

“I strongly believe that the state can improve its share of spending on higher education both for the state university system and the community college system,” Blagojevich said, in his response. “As governor, I would address and reverse the neglect that the state has shown towards both its higher education system in general and especially toward the salaries and benefits of its professors.”

The UPI agreed to support Blagojevich, and Radavich said he seemed the most dedicated to higher education issues.

Since his election, statewide UPI President Sue Kaufman has been meeting with Blagojevich’s transition team to keep him posted on higher education issues, Radavich said.

However, he said, no one’s sure Blagojevich can spare this university from a mid-year recision.

Last November, Gov. George Ryan called back $624,000 of state funds given to Eastern to combat the state deficit. Jeff Cooley, vice president of business affairs, said at the last Council on University Planning and Budget meeting that he believes there is a 95 percent chance the state will issue another mid-year recision.

A recision is entirely possible, said Andrew McNitt, political science professor.

“(Blagojevich) doesn’t have enough money right now,” McNitt said. “He has an almost $3 billion hole in the state budget to close.”

Funding for higher education will be difficult to find, McNitt said, and Blagojevich is going to have to decrease, not increase, spending until the state’s economy picks up.

“Right now, he’s only going to distribute pain,” McNitt said.