Pritzker Signs Greenwood Bill to Expand Admission Standards, Promote Diversity at State Colleges

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois’ public universities and community colleges will no longer require applicants to submit their ACT or SAT scores under a new law introduced by state Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, and signed recently by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“We want residents of all backgrounds to have an opportunity to get into college and achieve a degree,” Greenwood said. “Unfortunately, there is a correlation between household income and standardized test success. These tests do not provide a clear picture of the student’s full academic career, and can unfairly penalize those who take one poor test and did not have the privilege and access to expensive test prep courses that could have provided an edge.”

Under Greenwood’s House Bill 226, public universities and community colleges will adopt a “test-optional admission policy” that will eliminate the requirement for prospective students to submit their ACT or SAT scores during the admission process. If an applicant wishes to submit a score voluntarily, they will still have the option to do so.

“This measure will help address equity concerns within university admissions,” Greenwood said. “Schools that have already put this concept in practice have seen an increase in first-generation and low-income students, and I’m hopeful that this new law will kick start opportunity here in our state.”

For more information, please contact StateRepGreenwood@gmail.com.