The Illinois Senate voted Thursday to end the General Assembly tuition waiver program.
The state’s legislative scholarship program has been the subject of much debate since the money was often awarded to family members of political contributors instead of students in need of financial assistance.
The end of the program means scholarships will now be awarded to students who require financial assistance to attend college.
Gov. Pat Quinn applauded the decision.
“Abolishing a political scholarship program is the right thing for deserving students who need financial assistance to attend college,” said Quinn in a statement. “Illinois deserves to have a strong scholarship program that helps needy students go to college.”
Members of the senate say they hope to switch their focus to addressing and fixing the state budget, pensions and Medicaid.
