As many Illinois college students know, funding for the MAP program has not been going well in Springfield. Governor Rauner and his colleagues have created a serious issue for higher education in our state. Hundreds if not thousands of MAP eligible students who depend on those funds to make their college education possible at McKendree University and other instate institutions may no longer be able to make their college dreams a reality.
This is a letter to encourage students and others in our state to urge our governor to save the MAP. Below we have collected some interesting information to help everyone interact with a handful of important people who have it within their power to make a difference on this issue on our behalf.
In addition, if you have friends at other universities who benefit from the MAP grant or even colleagues who work with students, we would strongly urge you to share this information with them and encourage them to appeal to our State leaders as well. By working together, we hope to cause a positive effect in support of MAP grant funding and a positive outcome to this issue.
#MAPmatters
–The Review Crew
Below is more information about contacting Gov. Rauner and a sample letter if you are interested in making your voice heard.
Sample letter
Dear Gov. Rauner:
Over 136,000 students across the state have enrolled in college with the promise of receiving Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants to help them meet the costs of higher education. This terrific program has helped many needy students achieve their higher education goals. As MAP continues to go unfunded in the state budget, it is becoming difficult for students to plan for their futures and difficult for colleges and universities to continue to bridge the funding gap.
This is a real and growing crisis that is felt around the state. Without MAP, many students will not be able to continue their studies.
I am writing to urge you to work with the members of the General Assembly to do whatever you can to restore funding for MAP. We cannot allow the most economically at-risk group of college students to be left behind, when they stand to benefit the most from attaining a college degree at an Illinois institution. Stable MAP funding is vital to ensure that these students are able to continue their studies without interruption.
Thank you for your attention to this crucial matter.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME HERE]
Contact info for the house:
McKendree’s State Representative is Eddie Lee Jackson, Sr., reachable by regular mail, email or fax. I found a Facebook page for him that doesn’t appear to be particularly active, but here it is:
https://www.facebook.com/eddielee.jackson.3
The Hon. Eddie Lee Jackson, Sr.
4700 State Street
Suite 2
East St. Louis, IL 62205
(618) 875-9950
(618) 875-9870 (fax)
The Hon. David Luechtefeld
700 North Front Street
Okawville, Illinois 62271
Phone: 618-243-9014
Fax: 618-243-5376
Email: sendavel@midwest.net
