SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Two state senators say Illinois needs another Big Ten Conference school.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports (https://bit.ly/1prSNm7 ) a bill has been introduced by Lisle Republican Michael Connelly and Palatine Republican Matt Murphy.
The two say their measure would study what’s needed for a public university in the state to join the conference that already includes Northwestern and the University of Illinois.
Connelly says tight admissions policies at Illinois mean some students who want to attend a large state school in a marquee athletics conference look to other states such as Indiana and Iowa.
The 12-team conference is set to expand to include 14 schools next year. New members need support from at least 70 percent of schools to join.
A conference spokesman declined to comment on the Illinois bill.
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Information from: Chicago Sun-Times, https://www.suntimes.com/index
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