January 23, 2026/

Illinois Quick Hits: Higher ed board pushes for more spending

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By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Board of Higher Education has approved a 4.5% spending increase in its budget for fiscal year 2027.

The increase of $121.5 million includes an additional $50 million for the Monetary Award Program, bringing the total MAP appropriation to $771.6 million.

IBHE says the budget also includes an additional $38.8 million in operating funding for public universities “to continue closing equity gaps in access, persistence and completion.”

ESPINOZA MARTINEZ NOT GUILTY

A federal jury in Chicago has found a man not guilty of placing a $10,000 bounty on U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino.

Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, was charged last fall with soliciting the murder of a senior law enforcement official.

SUBURBAN POLICE CORRUPTION CONVICTION

A former police officer in the Chicago suburb of Phoenix has been convicted of federal corruption charges for conspiring to steal cash and drugs from vehicle occupants during traffic stops from 2020 to 2022.

Prosecutors say Antoine Larry, 49, of Bolingbrook conspired with another officer to solicit cash and drugs during traffic stops in exchange for reducing, dropping, or declining to press charges or allowing the vehicles to avoid impoundment.

The other officer, Jarrett Snowden of Lansing, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy trial and is awaiting sentencing.

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