Findings

Findings. The General Assembly finds all of the following: (1) Illinois has a strong system of public higher education, including public universities and community colleges across the State. (2) The Illinois economy thrives when Illinois students choose to pursue postsecondary education at Illinois institutions of higher education. (3) According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, two-thirds of graduates stay and work in the state in which they matriculated. (4) Students who have been historically underserved, such as students who are the first in their families to go to college, students who come from low-income families or communities, students of color, and students from rural communities, among others, often face the greatest barriers to accessing higher education, in part because of a lack of information. (5) Every eligible high school senior in Illinois should receive an offer to an Illinois institution of higher education, including public universities and community colleges. (6) Every public community college student seeking a transfer pathway who meets the requirements should receive an offer to a public university in Illinois. (7) Illinois can and should develop the tools and technology and partner with vendors if appropriate to dramatically simplify the public university and community college application and admission process for Illinois students. (Source: P.A. 104-15, eff. 6-30-25.)