The state budget shortfall is estimated to be to be as high as $5.7 billion making it the second worst state after California. The cash-strapped state of Illinois owes universities and community colleges more than three-quarters of a billion dollars, causing them to cut their current operating budgets.Public universities have received only $516 million of their $1.3 billion owed by the state since September 2009. This means a possible 18 PERCENT HIKE in tuition. The current changes being implemented by the administration will compromise academic standards. They are NOT cutting from the top. Petition for better transparency in decision making. Petition for ABSOLUTELY NO TUITON HIKES. Petition for an independent study to be done on the MISMANAGEMENT of funds by the deans, board of directors, and other leading personnel. Petition for NO BUDGET CUTS to state-funded higher education. Lastly, Petition for DIRECT ACTION against said injustices.