At the June 16 meeting of the Western Illinois University's Board of Trustees, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2027 preliminary spending plan of $182.1 million, a reduction of approximately $7.3 million from the FY26 All Funds budget. The University's plan must be prepared prior to July 1 for submission to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Illinois State Legislature and the Governor.
According to BOT materials related to the spending plan, as of June 1, 2026, the Illinois General Assembly passed an operating bill for Illinois higher education; therefore, the university’s FY27 preliminary spending plan for state appropriated funds is presented at passed appropriation of $59.1 million, a one percent increase from FY26 state appropriated funds. The Fiscal Year 2027 WIU All-Funds Operating Budget will be presented to the Board of Trustees at their September meeting. This budget will include income projections based on fall enrollment figures, as noted in Board materials.
'This is the first step in our budget process for Fiscal Year 2027. The preliminary spending plan for Fiscal Year '27 totals $182.1 million in expenses, which is down from the Fiscal Year 2026 budget,' Vice President for Finance and Administration Ketra Roselieb explained. 'These adjustments have been made consistent with our enrollment and contractual obligations and must continue as we bring projected expenses in line with revenues.'
Vice Chair Carin Stutz noted that recognizing enrollment is a topline issue as the institution can only cut so far.
'I think we're kind of at bare bare bones as it is right now,' she added. 'So obviously, Dr. Schuch's (vice president for student success) focus right now is really huge for us.'
