State Sen. Wilhelmi Says He'll No Longer Offer Legislative Scholarships

Illinois State Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi, D-Joliet, has announced he will no longer participate in the controversial Legislative Tuition Waiver Program.

According to an Associated Press report, nearly half of the members of state lawmakers have chosen not to participate in a program, which lets legislators waive state college tuition for selected students in their districts.

Lawmakers can award eight one-year waivers, four two-year waivers, or two four-year waivers each year. 

"For the past several months, I have been debating whether to continue
awarding legislative scholarships to college-bound students who live in
the 43rd District," Wilhelmi said in a release. "In the end, I decided that the
problems with the program outweigh its benefits."

State Rep. Jason Barickman told WJBC in central Illinois that the scholarships are costing Illinois about $14 million a year in lost tuition. That's because despite the waivers, the state does not reimburse the college or university the selected student goes to.

“Those who receive scholarships shift costs to other students,” Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno told The Herald News. “Legislative offices are not really equipped for this kind of program.”

Lawmakers have attempted to reform the program. Those attempts have been thwarted by Gov. Pat Quinn, who has said the program should be eliminated outright. 

Wilhelmi said he's been frustrated with reform attempts.

"Though I regret taking this opportunity away from the children who live in this district, I think it makes the most financial sense for the State to use its resources on financial aid programs that can't be abused," he said. "I also think the whole issue has become so politicized that people have lost sight of the program's original purpose-to help young people afford a college education." 

In the past, lawmakers have been accused of giving the scholarships away to friends or campaign contributors' children. 

Wilhelmi, according to The Herald-News report, awarded a waiver to a nephew of Will County Executive Larry Walsh, an issue raised by the state senator’s opponent in his last election campaign. Wilhelmi, though, told the newspaper his waivers were based in large part on financial need. There is no requirement that waiver recipients show need.