SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To fight for fair funding for higher education, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, was recently appointed as a member of the Illinois Commission on Equitable Public University Funding.

“This measure will help us to build the research and work of the House Higher Education Working Group,” said Stuart. “From the working group we will bring recommendations for the adequate and equitable funding model for higher education. It will allow universities to have stable funding to provide their students with academic and financial support.”

The Commission on Equitable Public Funding was created by Senate Bill 815, which passed the General Assembly this spring and sets guidelines for the commission’s goals. As a member of the commission, Stuart will help provide the General Assembly with recommendations and criteria to adequately fund public universities.

“As an educator who taught on the collegiate level, it has been my goal in Springfield to address the lack of funding and resources for our schools and universities,” continued Stuart. “Lacking fair funding for our universities impacts their ability to best serve their students. I look forward to being a part of the commission and helping to find solutions to provide fair funding for all our public universities to give them the best tools to help our students succeed.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, is fighting to expand access to higher education, working with a diverse coalition of legislators, advocates, and university officials  to ensure that state financial aid is available to all Illinois students regardless of race, immigration status or gender identity.

“In light of the exodus of talented young people leaving Illinois for other states, we must ensure that we are not only reinvesting in our colleges and universities but our young people, especially our minority youth,” Hernandez said. “This legislation is about equity for all students, ensuring that regardless of your race, immigration status or gender identity, you are valued and supported by our state.”

Hernandez’s House Bill 2691 would create the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act to ensure financial aid equity for minority and marginalized young people. The legislation would expand access to state aid by increasing the credit hour limit in place that disproportionately locks out African-American and other people of color from state aid. In 2018, 1,700 students who applied for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant were denied because they had surpassed the current credit hour limit. Often times, students who come from inadequately funded schools districts have to take additional coursework to catch up to their peers, which is why they reach the credit hour threshold much quicker.  

Hernandez’s RISE Act would also allow Illinois students who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, such as DACA recipients, to be eligible for state financial aid, as well as transgender students who do not register for required military purposes and as result are ineligible for federal aid. The measure was recently approved by the House Higher Education Committee.

“Higher education truly changes lives, positively impacts society, and enhances the rich fabric of our communities. We are committed to supporting the state legislature’s goals to enhance access, support, and opportunities for Illinois’ high school graduates to stay in the state for college,” University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen said.