By Jennifer Wessner      Illinois Statehouse News
 
SPRINGFIELD  –  The Illinois governor will keep the ability to appoint the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, after the House on Wednesday shot down a proposal calling for an elected board.

 
Sponsored by State Rep. David Reis, R-Olney, the measure was prompted by last year’s admissions scandal that found trustees were using their clout to get students admitted who did not meet  the university’s entrance standards. Several trustees and administrators resigned during the fallout, and Quinn replaced all but two of the trustees serving at the time.
Reis’ plan called for expanding the board from nine to 15 members. University alumni would nominate six of the trustee spots, while a faculty member would hold one seat, and students, three seats. The remaining trustee seats would have been open to election from districts from across the state. 
The House defeated his proposal on a 44-to-69 vote.
Reis said he believed the change would give the people who know the university the best a seats at the table.

“We also wanted the alumni association, who has more love for the university and more insight on how it should be run, so we thought that having six from them, reduced the number from 9 to 7, and we also added a faculty member,” Rep Reis said. “So I think we have a very good balance there.”

State Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, agreed the process would benefit from more alumni interaction, but said the final authority should remain in the hands of the governor.
“It would be good for the governor to have the advice and recommendations of the faculty or alumni, but I really don’t think they should be in a position to be making the policy directly themselves,” Boland said.

A chief concern among lawmakers was the need for the board to operate with more accountability.

State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Charleston, believed board members would be less subject to political whims if they were forced to face the voters.

“Let’s break the University of Illinois free from gubernatorial influence,” Rose said. “Let’s break free. Put this back in the hands of the people of Illinois; put it back in the hands of the 400,000 proud alumni in the state of Illinois.”

But Boland said he thinks that having the nominations go through the governor ensures openness for the board, as well as keeping the governor accountable for choices for trustees.

“I believe also that the present system of the governor appointing the members makes him directly responsible to the voters,” Boland said.

The board of trustees used to be selected through statewide elections, but the General Assembly made the nominations the responsibility of the governor in 1995.