After months of deliberate study and conversations around the future of Illinois’ higher education system, the Higher Education Working Group of the Illinois General Assembly, of which Sen. Rose is a member, has developed a series of impactful legislation aimed at strengthening Illinois’ colleges and universities and making them more attractive and affordable for students across the state for many years to come.
SB 2354
Starting in 2019-2020, each public college and university student with 30 academic credit hours completed must disclose their degree programs of interest to their college or university for a possible advisement session. IBHE and ICCB shall develop policies to encourage reverse transfer credits for students at colleges and universities. Tuition waiver amounts shall not be limited by the Board of Higher Education at public universities.
HB 5020
Expands MAP grant awards to public institutions from yearly to four years.
SJR 76
Instructs IBHE, ICCB and public institutions to work together on identifying cases where courses are not
transferable with full credit between institutions, ensure the General Education Core curricula has aligned
course codes and prevent students transferring between Illinois public institutions from having to retake core
curriculum courses or take additional general education courses to satisfy degree requirements.
SB 2927
Creates the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program to encourage access and affordability for Illinois colleges and
universities through a new merit-based scholarship. Illinois citizens with qualifying income, GPAs and test
scores would be eligible, and funds would be provided through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to
colleges and universities who participate. Participation in the program will be tracked by ISAC and reported
back to the Illinois General Assembly.
SB 2969
Greatly expands debt limits at the state’s public universities to allow them to address deferred maintenance and
make capital improvements that have been delayed for several years. Universities must disclose how the
borrowing for capital improvements will affect their overall fiscal condition to the General Assembly.
HB 4781
Authorizes the Illinois State Board of Education to conduct a brief survey of all Illinois students taking state
assessments on their contact information, career interests, intended fields of study and self-reported cumulative
GPA. All Illinois public higher education institutions will receive the information unless students opt out.