CHICAGO, IL – The Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding (CTHEF) applauds the House Higher Education Appropriations Committee for moving HB 1581, the Adequate & Equitable Funding Formula bill, out of committee. This important step follows the grassroots advocacy efforts of our growing coalition that, along with institutional and labor leadership, garnered a record 1,574 witness slips in favor of the bill.
“We are thrilled to see HB 1581 moving, and to see the significant support received from the Coalition, Chair Ford, and Representative Ammons. When passed, this legislation will provide a consistent, equitable funding solution for all public universities across Illinois and make college affordable again,” said Dr. Kyle Southern, Executive Director of the Partnership for College Completion. “The future of our state’s economic and educational wellbeing requires investment today, and we look forward to positive outcomes for college students and institutions across Illinois.”
“Today’s committee vote is a strong sign of progress in the effort to make college affordable again by adequately and equitably funding our public universities. Thanks to the steadfast leadership of Representative Carol Ammons and the persistence of students, faculty, staff, community leaders, and advocates, Illinois is one step closer to establishing a formula that would positively transform our postsecondary system,” said Cherita Ellens, President and CEO of Women Employed.
“Students and families have been carrying the burden of an underfunded higher education system for far too long. For many, college affordability means making impossible choices between work and school, taking on crushing debt, or stopping out and walking away. HB 1581 is about shifting this burden off students and families and building a better system where affordability and opportunity are accessible to every young adult across our state,” said Erick Deshaun Dorris, Senior Illinois State Director at Young Invincibles.
“The harmful and lasting impact of postponing action on a funding formula is already clear—and growing,” said Latino Policy Forum’s Director of Higher Education Policy, Dr. Jennifer Juárez. “Rising tuition in Illinois is fueling student debt, deepening inequities, and driving students to leave the state in search of a better financial college opportunity. Investing in college affordability and fully funding our public universities is not just about access, it’s essential to strengthening our state economy and retaining our future workforce. We are encouraged to see HB 1581 advancing and look forward to working with the General Assembly to get this critical legislation across the finish line for Illinois students and families.”
About HB 1581
While the state has made efforts in the past five years, the reality is that state appropriations to Illinois’ public universities are nearly half what they were twenty years ago. This severe disinvestment has burdened already underfunded institutions, driving up tuition and resulting in the largest enrollment declines of any state in the country. During this time, leaders across the higher education space, unions, advocates, and legislators informed and perfected a new approach, creating a comprehensive funding model for the first time in Illinois history.
HB 1581 creates a path to ensure every Illinois public university is funded based on its unique mission and student population, shifting costs away from students and closing funding gaps that have widened opportunity divides across the state. Led in the State House of Representatives by Rep. Ammons, HB1581, once passed, would work to increase per student resources at all universities – helping ensure students across the state thrive, and once fully funded, support an estimated 122,000 additional college graduates who would contribute their skills and talents to Illinois local economies, bringing in an estimated $692 million per year in state taxes.
“The Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding formula will put college within reach of Illinois students again – keeping talent here and anchoring the state’s future. AEF has the power to transform how Illinois universities operate and their ability to enroll and graduate the next generation,” said Advance Illinois President, Robin Steans. “A growing number of jobs require a bachelor’s degree, and this week’s committee vote marks a critical first step in ensuring the next generation – and the state – can thrive.”
Next Steps
The actions of the Coalition have put Illinois a step closer to having equitable, affordable, and accessible higher education for all students. Advocates have another upcoming opportunity to be a part of this movement for equity in higher education by attending the Coalition’s upcoming Advocacy Day on April 16th in Springfield, Illinois.
This is a critical opportunity to show support before the bill’s May 31st deadline, as there are several more hurdles the bill must clear for it to pass into law; it must pass a vote on the House floor, be moved out of committee in the Senate, and pass a Senate floor vote, before going to the Governor’s desk for a signature.