Illinois lawmakers have agreed to give up their much-criticized perk of being able to hand out college scholarships.
The century-old custom has been under fire because some legislators awarded the scholarships to the children of friends and political insiders. Sometimes they ignored the rule requiring recipients to live in the legislator's district.
The measure eliminating the scholarships passed 79-32 Monday in the Illinois House. It had passed the Senate earlier, so it now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn. The Chicago Democrat says he plans to sign it.
