It's a waiting game for Illinois' public colleges after Governor Bruce Rauner announced major cuts for higher education as part of his budget proposal.
It's a proposed budget plan that Governor Rauner says will help get Illinois back on a responsible path. However, that plan calls for cuts to higher education. For Western Illinois University, it would be a loss of $16 million.
"We're disappointed with the outcome, but to be fair this is what we call the early stages of the budget process so this is just the start," said WIU's budget director, Matt Bierman.
Bierman says there's no question that the Governor's proposal creates a challenge.
"I don't know what that means for the Quad Cities or what that means for Macomb or anything at this point," said Bierman.
When it comes to trying to balance a budget, Bierman says all options are on the table, including tuition hikes.
"We're cautious about putting anymore on the back of students, because we know they have a hard time affording higher education," said Bierman.
Western Illinois also wants to find new opportunities for students in both Macomb and the Quad Cities by continuing to grow the Moline Campus. Back in November, former Governor Pat Quinn gave $5 million towards the third phase of the WIU Riverfront Campus project. $34 million is still needed.
"So we're still sort of in a wait and see mode about the Quad City phase three," said Bierman.
Western is not alone, other Illinois Universities would also being facing big cuts if the Governor's proposal were to pass. No word yet when lawmakers will discuss the budget.