On Tuesday, Feb. 18, the Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding joined Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford and State Representative Carol Ammons for a press conference urging Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to adequately and equitably invest in higher education in Illinois.
Sen. Lightford and Representative Ammons are co-sponsors for the Adequate & Equitable Funding Formula (SB13 and HB1581, respectively). The formula:
- Calculates what each university needs based on their unique mission and student population.
- Increases resources to all universities, while prioritizing the most underfunded.
- Directs the resources needed for an estimated 122,000 more Illinois bachelor’s degree-holders, who would contribute $692 million per year in state taxes when fully funded.
- Includes a “hold harmless” provision—meaning no university would lose funding. All public universities and their students will benefit from the implementation of SB13 / HB1581.
The press conference emphasized the critical importance of the student-focused investment into Illinois’ public universities. Speaking alongside Lightford and Ammons were:
- Sen. Mike Halpin – 36th District, Illinois General Assembly
- Rep. Norma Hernandez – 77th District, Illinois General Assembly
- Dr. Dan Mahony – President, Southern Illinois University
- Megan Fox – Student, Eastern Illinois University
- Emelia Ibarra-Franco – Student Board Member, Partnership for College Completion
