Springfield, IL- State Senator A.J. Wilhelmi (D-Joliet) supported legislation passed by the Senate today authorizing the Governor to fully fund the Monetary Award Program (MAP) fully through Fiscal Year 2010. Senate Bill 1180 increases the amount of funding for MAP grants from $220 million to $425 million. The MAP grants give financial aid to students who meet specific qualifications to attend college in Illinois. MAP is the third largest needs-based state grant program and this year the MAP grants applications increased by 28.9%. More than half of the recipients of the MAP grants say that they would be unable to attend college on their own.

"There are 2,312 students in my district who depend on MAP grants and I supported this legislation for them," Wilhelmi said. "I was fortunate to receive a quality education, and I voted today to give these students that same opportunity."

Earlier this year the General Assembly passed a budget that gave Governor Quinn 1.2 billion in discretionary funds and he chose not to fully fund the program. Therefore, the General Assembly is now authorizing him to spend $205 million to fund the remainder of the grants.

Wilhelmi also supported the legislation because of the significant negative fiscal impact underfunding of MAP would have on institutions of higher learning in Will County.

"We are very fortunate in Will County to have institutions of higher learning such as Lewis University, the University of St. Francis, Governor’s State University and Joliet Junior College," Wilhelmi said. "Each of these schools rely on the MAP grants to provide assistance to their students, and the MAP funds are extremely important to their budgets. I am proud we took this action today."