Universities: Proposals to freeze tuition, cut top pay would strangle higher ed

SPRINGFIELD - An Illinois Jawmaker wants to freeze college tuition rates and cut pay for state university presidents.

But State Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Cicero, is facing opposition in his effort to reform higher education in the state.

"During the worst economic recession facing Illinois, working families and the middle class are looking for legislators to send the message to universities of Illinois to keep the tuition increases at a minimum in order to make colleges affordable and accessible for working families - that's the bottom line," Sandoval said.

Illinois State University's president, Dr. Al Bowman, said Illinois has universities with a wide variety of …