Governor Pritzker’s State of the State Address Took a Stance, but Needs to Go Further for Illinois College Students

Following Governor JB Pritzker’s fiscal year 2027 budget address, the Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding strongly urges the Illinois General Assembly to act now to invest in Illinois’ higher education institutions and their students–an investment that will pay lasting dividends for our state’s economy and communities.

Governor Pritzker is taking a bold stance against a federal administration that does not prioritize an affordable and accessible higher education landscape that centers the diverse needs of students. We understand that ongoing instability of federal funds necessitates a prudent state budget, but it is imperative that Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly act boldly to protect the future of higher education in Illinois. Strategic investments in higher education are among the most powerful economic development tools available. In times of uncertainty, strengthening our colleges and universities fortifies Illinois’ long-term fiscal stability, workforce competitiveness, and ability to attract and retain employers–economic goals the Governor himself highlighted in his address.

For the past two decades, Illinois has significantly underfunded its public universities by $1.4 billion, forcing institutions to raise tuition and fees which has barred many of our college-going students from accessing and completing their postsecondary degrees. Those who do decide to go to college have been forced to shoulder more of the cost to attend, and consequently take on a level of debt that undermines the economic mobility that a college degree is supposed to provide.

Our state cannot afford to continue down this path of inequitable outcomes and missed opportunities. Fortunately, Illinois has two transformative tools at hand to realize this: The Adequate and Equitable Funding Formula (SB 13 / HB 1581) that we urge the General Assembly to pass this year, and the Monetary Award Program (MAP) which requires additional investment to meaningfully make college more affordable. 

The formula is designed to ensure that each institution has the fiscal resources necessary to serve its unique student population effectively. The inclusion of a hold-harmless provision guarantees that no institution would experience a loss of funding during implementation. Importantly, these investments would equip universities to support an estimated 122,000 additional graduates, who, once fully funded, are projected to generate approximately $692 million annually in state tax revenue.

In addition to calling on our state to transform our public universities’ ability to support their students, we’re calling on Illinois to double down on making college more affordable by increasing its investment in MAP. A core tenet of the governor’s budget proposal was affordability, and for college going students, affordability is often the deciding factor in whether or not they enroll to pursue their degree. Insufficient funding forced the suspension of awards for many eligible applicants last year. Instead of holding MAP steady, an additional $71 million would restore support for those students and ensure that every eligible applicant receives the financial assistance they need.

We appreciate Governor Pritzker’s commitment to education and the decisions he must make during a particularly tough year. However in this pivotal moment, Illinois cannot afford to delay meaningful action for college students. A budget is a statement of values. If Illinois is committed to expanding opportunity, making college affordable, and strengthening our workforce, our state’s budget must substantially invest in higher education as the essential infrastructure we know it is.

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