College-accrediting agency sends warning amid Illinois budget impasse - Associated Press

The state budget impasse could have "significant" consequences for the public colleges and universities in Illinois, according to a higher-education accrediting agency. In a letter sent Thursday, the Higher Learning Commission, the regional accrediting agency for 19 states including Illinois, issued a warning to Gov. Bruce Rauner and members of the General Assembly, the (Champaign) News-Gazette reported. Schools that have to suspend operations or close because of unavailable state funding could lose their accreditation if they don't come up with plans for their students to continue at another college, the commission warned lawmakers. "The lack of state funding is putting Illinois colleges and universities at serious risk and jeopardizing the future of students," commission President Barbara Gellman-Danley wrote in the letter. http://www.qconline.com/news/illinois/college-accrediting-agency-sends-warning-amid-illinois-budget-impasse/article_042b5a1e-cf42-11e5-80cc-bb1fb414f8a0.html