Over 700 students at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) rely on MAP grants that are directly funded by Illinois state.  Currently, Illinois state has not passed a budget.  This means that funds are not being paid to Illinois residents that need this grant for their tuition payments.  Last semester, Illinois Institute of Technology fronted the money to these students assuming a budget would be set by now.  We received an email from IIT telling us that they can no longer wait for the budget to be set.  700 students at Illinois Institute of Technology that rely on this grant will not receive the funds that they need for next semester and will be expected to pay last semesters balance.  Illinois Institute of Technology is a highly ranked Chicago university.  Its graduates earn the second highest salaries in Illinois upon graduation.  Chicago needs high performers to contribute to the economy and continue to make Chicago a great city.  We need Illinois to pass a budget or to immediately start payment on our grants.  We are calling for Illinois to care for students and for our future.