Nearly 200 layoffs were expected over the past week of civil service employees at Eastern, but now that the notices are sent out, that is not necessarily the case.
In an email to faculty this morning, Eastern President David Glassman says the number of layoffs is officially 177, which is 21 less than the expected 198.
As News Watch's Nick Ruffolo reports, while the total number is less, the hardship remains the same.
To try to end the budget stalemate and stop the layoffs, several members of the Facebook group "Fund EIU" plan to rally in Springfield Wednesday.
According the page, several gatherings are planned at the state capitol and not just for Eastern Illinois.
Chicago State and the University of Illinois at Chicago each have rallies planned Wednesday.
University trustees at CSU recently declared a state of financial emergency in response to the lack of government funds.