Students, faculty, alumni and others affiliated with the University assembled in Springfield, Ill., for the University of Illinois Day at the Capitol on Wednesday. More than 200 representatives from the University’s various campuses traveled to Springfield to lobby state politicians.

The event began with a luncheon in Sangamo Club, followed by several hours of participant interaction with legislators. The day concluded with a reception in the Illinois State Library.

University Interim President Stanley Ikenberry was present in Springfield and spoke during the luncheon about the need for state funding for the University.

“The University has probably never been in a more perilous situation than we are right now with more than 400 million unpaid by the state of Illinois that cost us a cash crisis,” Ikenberry said. “It’s students that all of this is about. It’s providing top quality higher education in the state at the University of Illinois.”

Ikenberry added that he believes legislators will listen to students more than anyone else from the University.

“I think that students are great ambassadors. They have great voices, but they’re also the hope of tomorrow,” Ikenberry said. “If we want a strong Illinois in 50 years from now, we have to invest in our young people today and hopefully the legislators will appreciate that and respond to that.”

Currently, the state of Illinois owes the University about $470 million in funding that has not come through due to the state’s budget deficit.

Those who chose to make the trip to represent the University were not alone in Springfield on Wednesday.

Numerous other organizations and groups were present to lobby for different causes, with estimates of 12,000 to 15,000 people in attendance.

The variety of students present ranged from student politicians such as David Olsen, ISS president-elect, and Daniel Soso, student trustee-elect, to students concerned about the future of the University.

David Goese, junior in LAS, said he decided to take the trip to Springfield because he felt he would add to the variety of students as a biology major.

“I think it’s important to help well-roundedness in the members that are here,” Goese said. “I feel like it’s something good to do to come up here and express that we care.”

Ed Malysiak, a member of Illinois Connection, the group that organized the event, said he ventured to Springfield because of his family’s personal history with the University.

“We need to at least make an effort to have the state understand the issues that are at risk here today,” Malysiak said. “We’re talking about the finest institutions of higher education in the world, not just the state that we’re putting at risk because of financial issues.”

Malysiak said he constituents have a stronger voice in Springfield than paid lobbyists.

“These are all volunteers,” he said. “It’s a constituent, it carries a lot more weight than somebody who’s getting paid to wander the halls and make the case.”

While some students had difficulty meeting with politicians, others were open to talk with their constituents.

“I tell young people everywhere I go that they have a right to come to their legislators and tell us what they think we need to do to make their lives better, period,” said state senator Toi W. Hutchinson, D-40.

“If you don’t come see us, then a very important voice in this process is not here, and I think students play an incredible role. You’re the future.”

Student trustee-elect Soso said he was able to speak with several legislators.

“I think the day went well,” Soso said. “I think it’s important that we continue to do things like this. As I’ve always thought and continue to think, its important that you make a physical presence as well.”