Community News
Manar Calls for End to General Assembly Scholarships
Manar says he’ll work to abolish the “reward your friends program” and focus on making college affordable for struggling middle class families
BUNKER HILL, IL – Macoupin County Board Chairman and candidate for State Senate in the 48th District Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) today said that he believes that the public is tired of the continued abuse of the General Assembly Scholarship program and that the time has come for the legislative perk to be abolished.
“What started as a valuable program years ago aimed at increasing access to higher education for those with financial need has become a ‘reward your friends’ perk of being a state legislator,” said Manar. “Unfortunately the program has become rife with abuse and the public benefit that the scholarships intended to produce have been lost. It has become a program that too much serves the politically privileged.”
The program is not funded in the State budget. The cost, estimated at $15 million annually, is then forced onto the state universities to deal with. State financial support for public universities in Illinois has decreased substantially in recent years which has driven up tuition costs according to Manar. In the case of the Legislative Scholarship Program, public universities are required to bear the entire financial burden and total cost of each tuition waiver granted by a state legislator on an annual basis.
“On top of the recurring instances of abuse, we can’t continue to let the General Assembly Scholarship Program contribute to increased tuition costs at our public universities,” said Manar. “We need to give our public universities more support at the state level and aggressively look for more ways to make higher education affordable to middle class families in Illinois.”
Manar said that attempted reform efforts date back more than a decade in the General Assembly. As recently as 2010, a bill abolishing the program in its entirety passed the Illinois House of Representatives but was stalled in the State Senate. Manar notes that not every legislator abuses the program and many take proper steps to ensure only needy students receive awards. But Manar says the public has lost faith in the program and it is now beyond reform.
Students can receive a scholarship for undergraduate, graduate, or professional school as long as they attend one of the state’s ten public universities. Legislators are given complete discretion as to how they wish to distribute the scholarships each year other than a requirement that the recipient live in the district.
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SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College has announced its full-time and part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2025 semester. Part-time students are enrolled in six to 11 credit hours while full-time students are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.
Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) are noted with an asterisk and earned President’s list honors. Students who earned between a GPA of 3.5-3.99 earned Vice President’s list honors. The excerpt below features Macoupin County students.
FULL-TIME STUDENTS
Bunker Hill – Logan R. Helling
Carlinville – Reid P. Evans*, Brody M. Reif
Gillespie – Maris E. Brill, Austin L. Grace*
Girard – Max Allen*, Katie Angulo*, Mick B. Downs*, Josh Hagerman, Reed Lewis, Michael S. Prose*
Mount Olive – Jakobb E. Brown*, Georgia G. Kampwerth
Palmyra – Alexis R. Bowman*
Staunton – Paige N. Horstmeyer*, Michael J. Matesa*, Lauren R. Mathis, Brandon Mo
Virden – Zorah E. Austin*, Michaeh N. Barnhouse*, Maddie Carver, Jackson R. Pierce*, Morgan C. Snell*, Grant M. Strickler, Courtney N. Ulinski*
PART-TIME STUDENTS
Benld – Christopher Young*
Carlinville – Alex C. Nance*, Jerry D. Nance Jr.*
Gillespie – Jessica L. Tiek*
Girard – Lindsey J. Ferguson*, Jackson R. Henke*, Natalie Moriconi*
Mount Olive – Kara A. Harmon*, Justin D. O’Neill*, Hayden Wylder*
Virden – Candace L. Carlile*, Lillian M. Carlile*, Natalie M. Little*, Josie P. Patterson, Luciano Pierce*
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The 2:18 Missions Team, a dedicated local outreach group based in Gillespie, is excited to announce its upcoming cookout fundraiser to support its community initiatives. The event will take place on Saturday, June 21st, at Randy’s Market in Benld.
From approximately 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., community members are invited to enjoy delicious homemade food while supporting a worthy cause. The menu will feature pork chops, pork burgers, hot dogs, and refreshing water — perfect for a summer day of good food and fellowship.
“All proceeds from this event will go directly toward our mission efforts to serve and uplift our community,” said a spokesperson for 2:18 Missions Team. “We’re grateful for the support of our neighbors and look forward to seeing everyone there!”
Come out to Randy’s Market in Benld on June 21st to enjoy a tasty meal, support local endeavors, and connect with others in the community.
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CARLINVILLE, IL – On June 14th, concerned citizens are invited to join a coalition of grassroots organizations to nonviolently protest in front of the Macoupin County Courthouse at 201 E. Main St. in Carlinville, IL, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. This protest is one of over 1,400 protests taking place nationwide with millions of participants as part of the NO KINGS National Day of Action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration.
Trump’s unconstitutional actions include suppressing free speech, detaining people for their political positions, deporting American citizens, defying the courts, and much more – all while enriching himself and his billionaire allies.
“Now Donald Trump is planning a military parade in Washington, D.C. on June 14th. This display of might is intended to intimidate opponents and solidify his image as a strongman, while paying for it with taxpayer dollars.”, said Kelley Hatlee, a volunteer organizer with the Macoupin County 50501and Indivisible movements. “Instead of allowing this military parade to be the center of attention, the NO KINGS nationwide protests make action everywhere else the story of America on June 14th: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption.”, said Hatlee.
“We’re showing up together as neighbors, friends, and fellow community members to say NO to authoritarianism and yes to a government that serves everyone,” said Chelsa Pruden, a volunteer organizer with Macoupin PRIDE and Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible. “We’re tired of watching powerful people trample our rights and our voices. This protest is about reminding everyone, especially those in power, that real strength comes from the people.”
Participants are encouraged to make protest signs that convey their personal messages. Packaged, nonperishable food items will be accepted for donation to local food pantries to help low-income families who will be hit hardest by Trump’s policies.
The NO KINGS protest in Carlinville is organized by a volunteer coalition of the Macoupin PRIDE and the Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible grassroots movements. The coalition has created a Facebook page titled “Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible” for concerned citizens to follow.
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Beleagured board chairman responds to critics as County Board prepares to start budgeting process
Benld Italian-American Days to celebrate 71st Anniversary over Memorial Day weekend
