HIGHER ED-ADMISSION & TUITION

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4343

Introduced 1/14/2026, by Rep. Dave Vella

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act, various Acts relating to the
governance of public universities in Illinois, and the Higher Education
Student Assistance Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to
establish a pathway program in which any public high school student in this
State who graduates in the top 10% of the student's graduating class or
meets other standardized thresholds is guaranteed admission to at least
one public university. Requires the Board to submit an annual report to the
General Assembly (and make the report publicly available) that includes,
with respect to public universities: (1) how many in-state residents were
admitted in the prior academic year compared to the number of out-of-state
residents that were admitted; (2) the tuition trends for students who are
residents of this State; and (3) how many university graduates continue to
reside within this State following graduation. With respect to each
academic program of a public university that has a limited capacity to
admit students due to a high demand for admission to the program, provides
that at least 70% of the students admitted to the program must be residents
of this State. Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, prohibits the
governing board of each public university from increasing its in-state
tuition rate for a given academic year by a percentage that exceeds the
percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
Consumers for all items published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the
United States Department of Labor for the 12 months ending on the previous
December 31. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to
establish a workforce incentive program in which a student who enrolls in a
high-need field at an institution of higher learning may receive a grant to
reduce tuition costs or loan forgiveness if the student commits to working
in this State for at least 3 after graduation. Provides that under the
program, a student from an underserved region of this State may also
receive additional admission and tuition support from the Commission.
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b

A BILL FOR

HB4343
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

AN ACT concerning education.

2

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3
represented in the General Assembly:

4

Section 5.
The Board of Higher Education Act is amended by
5
adding Sections 9.47 and 9.48 as follows:

6

(110 ILCS 205/9.47 new)
7

Sec. 9.47.
Guaranteed admission pathway program.
8

(a) The Board shall establish a pathway program in which
9
any public high school student in this State who graduates in
10
the top 10% of the student's high school graduating class or
11
meets other standardized thresholds, as determined by the
12
Board, is guaranteed admission to at least one public
13
university.
14

(b) The Board shall adopt all rules necessary to carry out
15
its responsibilities under this Section.

16

(110 ILCS 205/9.48 new)
17

Sec. 9.48.
Admission, tuition, and retention report.
The
18
Board shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly
19
that includes all of the following information with respect to
20
public universities:
21

(1) How many in-state residents were admitted in the
22

prior academic year compared to the number of out-of-state

HB4343
- 2 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

residents that were admitted.
2

(2) The tuition trends for students who are residents
3

of this State.
4

(3) How many university graduates continue to reside
5

within this State following graduation.
6

The Board shall make this report publicly available.

7

Section 10.
The University of Illinois Act is amended by
8
changing Sections 8 and 25 as follows:

9

(110 ILCS 305/8)

(from Ch. 144, par. 29)
10

Sec. 8.
Admissions.
11

(a) (Blank).
12

(b) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
13
of the departments or colleges of the University unless such
14
student also has satisfactorily completed:
15

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
16

the following 5 categories:
17

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
18

oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
19

years may be collegiate level instruction;
20

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
21

and government);
22

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
23

advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
24

fundamentals of computer programming);

HB4343
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LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
2

agricultural sciences); and
3

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
4

(which may be deemed to include American Sign
5

Language), music, career and technical education,
6

agricultural education, or art;
7

(2) except that institutions may admit individual
8

applicants if the institution determines through
9

assessment or through evaluation based on learning
10

outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and
11

technical education courses and courses taken in a charter
12

school established under Article 27A of the School Code,
13

that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills
14

substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills
15

expected to be acquired in the high school courses
16

required for admission. The Board of Trustees of the
17

University of Illinois shall not discriminate in the
18

University's admissions process against an applicant for
19

admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a
20

charter school established under Article 27A of the School
21

Code. Institutions may also admit 1) applicants who did
22

not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college
23

preparatory curriculum in high school, and 2)
24

educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to
25

the formal organized special assistance programs that are
26

tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in

HB4343
- 4 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

either case, the institution incorporates in the
2

applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other
3

academic activities that compensate for course
4

deficiencies; and
5

(3) except that up to 3 of the 15 units of coursework
6

required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
7

distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
8

the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
9

and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
10

categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
11

(c) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
12
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
13
coursework required by subsection (b).
14

(d) A student who has graduated from high school and has
15
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
16
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
17
test as a prerequisite to admission.
18

(e) The Board of Trustees shall establish an admissions
19
process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted
20
to submit an application for admission to the University as a
21
freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the
22
veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. The
23
University may request that the Department of Veterans Affairs
24
confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably discharged
25
veteran who was on active duty during the fall semester.
26

(f) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the

HB4343
- 5 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
2
from a public community college in this State with the
3
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
4
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
5
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
6
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
7
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
8
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
9
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
10
community college in this State. The University shall post
11
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
12
Internet website.
13

(g) With respect to each academic program of the
14
University that has a limited capacity to admit students due
15
to a high demand for admission to the program, at least 70% of
16
the students admitted to the program must be residents of this
17
State.
18
(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

19

(110 ILCS 305/25)
20

Sec. 25.
Tuition increase limitations

Limitation on
21
tuition increase
.
22

(a)
This
subsection (a)

Section
applies only to those
23
students who first enroll after the 2003-2004 academic year.
24
For 4 continuous academic years following initial enrollment
25
(or for undergraduate programs that require more than 4 years

HB4343
- 6 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
to complete, for the normal time to complete the program, as
2
determined by the University), the tuition charged an
3
undergraduate student who is an Illinois resident shall not
4
exceed the amount that the student was charged at the time he
5
or she first enrolled in the University. However, if the
6
student changes majors during this time period, the tuition
7
charged the student shall equal the amount the student would
8
have been charged had he or she been admitted to the changed
9
major when he or she first enrolled. An undergraduate student
10
who is an Illinois resident and who has for 4 continuous
11
academic years been charged no more than the tuition amount
12
that he or she was charged at the time he or she first enrolled
13
in the University shall be charged tuition not to exceed the
14
amount the University charged students who first enrolled in
15
the University for the academic year following the academic
16
year the student first enrolled in the University for a
17
maximum of 2 additional continuous academic years.
18

(b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the Board
19
of Trustees may not increase the in-state tuition rate for a
20
given academic year by a percentage that exceeds the
21
percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for
22
All Urban Consumers for all items published by the Bureau of
23
Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for
24
the 12 months ending on the previous December 31.
25
(Source: P.A. 96-1293, eff. 7-26-10.)

HB4343
- 7 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

Section 15.
The Southern Illinois University Management
2
Act is amended by changing Sections 8e and 15 as follows:

3

(110 ILCS 520/8e)

(from Ch. 144, par. 658e)
4

Sec. 8e.
Admissions.
5

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
6
of the departments or colleges of the University unless such
7
student also has satisfactorily completed:
8

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
9

the following 5 categories:
10

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
11

oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
12

years may be collegiate level instruction;
13

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
14

and government);
15

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
16

advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
17

fundamentals of computer programming);
18

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
19

agricultural sciences); and
20

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
21

(which may be deemed to include American Sign
22

Language), music, career and technical education,
23

agricultural education, or art;
24

(2) except that institutions may admit individual
25

applicants if the institution determines through

HB4343
- 8 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

assessment or through evaluation based on learning
2

outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and
3

technical education courses and courses taken in a charter
4

school established under Article 27A of the School Code,
5

that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills
6

substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills
7

expected to be acquired in the high school courses
8

required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Southern
9

Illinois University shall not discriminate in the
10

University's admissions process against an applicant for
11

admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a
12

charter school established under Article 27A of the School
13

Code. Institutions may also admit 1) applicants who did
14

not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college
15

preparatory curriculum in high school, and 2)
16

educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to
17

the formal organized special assistance programs that are
18

tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in
19

either case, the institution incorporates in the
20

applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other
21

academic activities that compensate for course
22

deficiencies; and
23

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
24

required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
25

distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
26

the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences

HB4343
- 9 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
2

categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
3

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
4
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
5
coursework required by subsection (a).
6

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
7
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
8
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
9
test as a prerequisite to admission.
10

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
11
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
12
application for admission to the University as a freshman
13
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
14
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
15
request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the
16
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
17
was on active duty during the fall semester.
18

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
19
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
20
from a public community college in this State with the
21
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
22
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
23
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
24
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
25
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
26
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for

HB4343
- 10 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
2
community college in this State. The University shall post
3
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
4
Internet website.
5

(f) With respect to each academic program of the
6
University that has a limited capacity to admit students due
7
to a high demand for admission to the program, at least 70% of
8
the students admitted to the program must be residents of this
9
State.
10
(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

11

(110 ILCS 520/15)
12

Sec. 15.
Tuition increase limitations

Limitation on
13
tuition increase
.
14

(a)
This
subsection (a)

Section
applies only to those
15
students who first enroll after the 2003-2004 academic year.
16
For 4 continuous academic years following initial enrollment
17
(or for undergraduate programs that require more than 4 years
18
to complete, for the normal time to complete the program, as
19
determined by the University), the tuition charged an
20
undergraduate student who is an Illinois resident shall not
21
exceed the amount that the student was charged at the time he
22
or she first enrolled in the University. However, if the
23
student changes majors during this time period, the tuition
24
charged the student shall equal the amount the student would
25
have been charged had he or she been admitted to the changed

HB4343
- 11 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
major when he or she first enrolled. An undergraduate student
2
who is an Illinois resident and who has for 4 continuous
3
academic years been charged no more than the tuition amount
4
that he or she was charged at the time he or she first enrolled
5
in the University shall be charged tuition not to exceed the
6
amount the University charged students who first enrolled in
7
the University for the academic year following the academic
8
year the student first enrolled in the University for a
9
maximum of 2 additional continuous academic years.
10

(b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the Board
11
may not increase the in-state tuition rate for a given
12
academic year by a percentage that exceeds the percentage
13
increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
14
Consumers for all items published by the Bureau of Labor
15
Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the 12
16
months ending on the previous December 31.
17
(Source: P.A. 96-1293, eff. 7-26-10.)

18

Section 20.
The Chicago State University Law is amended by
19
changing Sections 5-85 and 5-120 as follows:

20

(110 ILCS 660/5-85)
21

Sec. 5-85.
Admissions.
22

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
23
of the departments or colleges of the Chicago State University
24
unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

HB4343
- 12 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
2

the following 5 categories:
3

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
4

oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
5

years may be collegiate level instruction;
6

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
7

and government);
8

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
9

advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
10

fundamentals of computer programming);
11

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
12

agricultural sciences); and
13

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
14

(which may be deemed to include American Sign
15

Language), music, career and technical education,
16

agricultural education, or art;
17

(2) except that Chicago State University may admit
18

individual applicants if it determines through assessment
19

or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
20

coursework taken, including career and technical education
21

courses and courses taken in a charter school established
22

under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
23

demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
24

to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
25

high school courses required for admission. The Board of
26

Trustees of Chicago State University shall not

HB4343
- 13 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

discriminate in the University's admissions process
2

against an applicant for admission because of the
3

applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
4

under Article 27A of the School Code. Chicago State
5

University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
6

an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
7

curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
8

disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
9

organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
10

the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
11

the institution incorporates in the applicant's
12

baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
13

activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
14

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
15

required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
16

distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
17

the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
18

and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
19

categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
20

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
21
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
22
coursework required by subsection (a).
23

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
24
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
25
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
26
test as a prerequisite to admission.

HB4343
- 14 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
2
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
3
application for admission to the University as a freshman
4
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
5
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
6
request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the
7
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
8
was on active duty during the fall semester.
9

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
10
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
11
from a public community college in this State with the
12
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
13
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
14
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
15
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
16
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
17
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
18
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
19
community college in this State. The University shall post
20
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
21
Internet website.
22

(f) With respect to each academic program of the
23
University that has a limited capacity to admit students due
24
to a high demand for admission to the program, at least 70% of
25
the students admitted to the program must be residents of this
26
State.

HB4343
- 15 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

2

(110 ILCS 660/5-120)
3

Sec. 5-120.
Tuition increase limitations

Limitation on
4
tuition increase
.
5

(a)
This
subsection (a)

Section
applies only to those
6
students who first enroll after the 2003-2004 academic year.
7
For 4 continuous academic years following initial enrollment
8
(or for undergraduate programs that require more than 4 years
9
to complete, for the normal time to complete the program, as
10
determined by the University), the tuition charged an
11
undergraduate student who is an Illinois resident shall not
12
exceed the amount that the student was charged at the time he
13
or she first enrolled in the University. However, if the
14
student changes majors during this time period, the tuition
15
charged the student shall equal the amount the student would
16
have been charged had he or she been admitted to the changed
17
major when he or she first enrolled. An undergraduate student
18
who is an Illinois resident and who has for 4 continuous
19
academic years been charged no more than the tuition amount
20
that he or she was charged at the time he or she first enrolled
21
in the University shall be charged tuition not to exceed the
22
amount the University charged students who first enrolled in
23
the University for the academic year following the academic
24
year the student first enrolled in the University for a
25
maximum of 2 additional continuous academic years.

HB4343
- 16 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

(b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the Board
2
may not increase the in-state tuition rate for a given
3
academic year by a percentage that exceeds the percentage
4
increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
5
Consumers for all items published by the Bureau of Labor
6
Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the 12
7
months ending on the previous December 31.
8
(Source: P.A. 96-1293, eff. 7-26-10.)

9

Section 25.
The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended
10
by changing Sections 10-85 and 10-120 as follows:

11

(110 ILCS 665/10-85)
12

Sec. 10-85.
Admissions.
13

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
14
of the departments or colleges of the Eastern Illinois
15
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
16
completed:
17

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
18

the following 5 categories:
19

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
20

oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
21

years may be collegiate level instruction;
22

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
23

and government);
24

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through

HB4343
- 17 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
2

fundamentals of computer programming);
3

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
4

agricultural sciences); and
5

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
6

(which may be deemed to include American Sign
7

Language), music, career and technical education,
8

agricultural education, or art;
9

(2) except that Eastern Illinois University may admit
10

individual applicants if it determines through assessment
11

or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
12

coursework taken, including career and technical education
13

courses and courses taken in a charter school established
14

under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
15

demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
16

to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
17

high school courses required for admission. The Board of
18

Trustees of Eastern Illinois University shall not
19

discriminate in the University's admissions process
20

against an applicant for admission because of the
21

applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
22

under Article 27A of the School Code. Eastern Illinois
23

University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
24

an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
25

curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
26

disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal

HB4343
- 18 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
2

the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
3

the institution incorporates in the applicant's
4

baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
5

activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
6

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
7

required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
8

distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
9

the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
10

and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
11

categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
12

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
13
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
14
coursework required by subsection (a).
15

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
16
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
17
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
18
test as a prerequisite to admission.
19

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
20
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
21
application for admission to the University as a freshman
22
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
23
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
24
request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the
25
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
26
was on active duty during the fall semester.

HB4343
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LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
2
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
3
from a public community college in this State with the
4
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
5
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
6
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
7
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
8
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
9
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
10
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
11
community college in this State. The University shall post
12
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
13
Internet website.
14

(f) With respect to each academic program of the
15
University that has a limited capacity to admit students due
16
to a high demand for admission to the program, at least 70% of
17
the students admitted to the program must be residents of this
18
State.
19
(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

20

(110 ILCS 665/10-120)
21

Sec. 10-120.
Tuition increase limitations

Limitation on
22
tuition increase
.
23

(a)
This
subsection (a)

Section
applies only to those
24
students who first enroll after the 2003-2004 academic year.
25
For 4 continuous academic years following initial enrollment

HB4343
- 20 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
(or for undergraduate programs that require more than 4 years
2
to complete, for the normal time to complete the program, as
3
determined by the University), the tuition charged an
4
undergraduate student who is an Illinois resident shall not
5
exceed the amount that the student was charged at the time he
6
or she first enrolled in the University. However, if the
7
student changes majors during this time period, the tuition
8
charged the student shall equal the amount the student would
9
have been charged had he or she been admitted to the changed
10
major when he or she first enrolled. An undergraduate student
11
who is an Illinois resident and who has for 4 continuous
12
academic years been charged no more than the tuition amount
13
that he or she was charged at the time he or she first enrolled
14
in the University shall be charged tuition not to exceed the
15
amount the University charged students who first enrolled in
16
the University for the academic year following the academic
17
year the student first enrolled in the University for a
18
maximum of 2 additional continuous academic years.
19

(b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the Board
20
may not increase the in-state tuition rate for a given
21
academic year by a percentage that exceeds the percentage
22
increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
23
Consumers for all items published by the Bureau of Labor
24
Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the 12
25
months ending on the previous December 31.
26
(Source: P.A. 96-1293, eff. 7-26-10.)

HB4343
- 21 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

Section 30.
The Governors State University Law is amended
2
by changing Sections 15-85 and 15-120 as follows:

3

(110 ILCS 670/15-85)
4

Sec. 15-85.
Admissions.
5

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
6
of the departments or colleges of the Governors State
7
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
8
completed:
9

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
10

the following 5 categories:
11

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
12

oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
13

years may be collegiate level instruction;
14

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
15

and government);
16

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
17

advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
18

fundamentals of computer programming);
19

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
20

agricultural sciences); and
21

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
22

(which may be deemed to include American Sign
23

Language), music, career and technical education,
24

agricultural education, or art;

HB4343
- 22 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

(2) except that Governors State University may admit
2

individual applicants if it determines through assessment
3

or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
4

coursework taken, including career and technical education
5

courses and courses taken in a charter school established
6

under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
7

demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
8

to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
9

high school courses required for admission. The Board of
10

Trustees of Governors State University shall not
11

discriminate in the University's admissions process
12

against an applicant for admission because of the
13

applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
14

under Article 27A of the School Code. Governors State
15

University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
16

an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
17

curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
18

disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
19

organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
20

the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
21

the institution incorporates in the applicant's
22

baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
23

activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
24

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
25

required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
26

distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from

HB4343
- 23 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
2

and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
3

categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
4

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
5
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
6
coursework required by subsection (a).
7

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
8
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
9
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
10
test as a prerequisite to admission.
11

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
12
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
13
application for admission to the University as a freshman
14
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
15
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
16
request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the
17
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
18
was on active duty during the fall semester.
19

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
20
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
21
from a public community college in this State with the
22
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
23
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
24
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
25
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
26
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the

HB4343
- 24 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
2
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
3
community college in this State. The University shall post
4
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
5
Internet website.
6

(f) With respect to each academic program of the
7
University that has a limited capacity to admit students due
8
to a high demand for admission to the program, at least 70% of
9
the students admitted to the program must be residents of this
10
State.
11
(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

12

(110 ILCS 670/15-120)
13

Sec. 15-120.
Tuition increase limitations

Limitation on
14
tuition increase
.
15

(a)
This
subsection (a)

Section
applies only to those
16
students who first enroll after the 2003-2004 academic year.
17
For 4 continuous academic years following initial enrollment
18
(or for undergraduate programs that require more than 4 years
19
to complete, for the normal time to complete the program, as
20
determined by the University), the tuition charged an
21
undergraduate student who is an Illinois resident shall not
22
exceed the amount that the student was charged at the time he
23
or she first enrolled in the University. However, if the
24
student changes majors during this time period, the tuition
25
charged the student shall equal the amount the student would

HB4343
- 25 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
have been charged had he or she been admitted to the changed
2
major when he or she first enrolled. An undergraduate student
3
who is an Illinois resident and who has for 4 continuous
4
academic years been charged no more than the tuition amount
5
that he or she was charged at the time he or she first enrolled
6
in the University shall be charged tuition not to exceed the
7
amount the University charged students who first enrolled in
8
the University for the academic year following the academic
9
year the student first enrolled in the University for a
10
maximum of 2 additional continuous academic years.
11

(b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the Board
12
may not increase the in-state tuition rate for a given
13
academic year by a percentage that exceeds the percentage
14
increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
15
Consumers for all items published by the Bureau of Labor
16
Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the 12
17
months ending on the previous December 31.
18
(Source: P.A. 96-1293, eff. 7-26-10.)

19

Section 35.
The Illinois State University Law is amended
20
by changing Sections 20-85 and 20-125 as follows:

21

(110 ILCS 675/20-85)
22

Sec. 20-85.
Admissions.
23

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
24
of the departments or colleges of the Illinois State

HB4343
- 26 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
2
completed:
3

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
4

the following 5 categories:
5

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
6

oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
7

years may be collegiate level instruction;
8

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
9

and government);
10

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
11

advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
12

fundamentals of computer programming);
13

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
14

agricultural sciences); and
15

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
16

(which may be deemed to include American Sign
17

Language), music, career and technical education,
18

agricultural education, or art;
19

(2) except that Illinois State University may admit
20

individual applicants if it determines through assessment
21

or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
22

coursework taken, including career and technical education
23

courses and courses taken in a charter school established
24

under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
25

demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
26

to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the

HB4343
- 27 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

high school courses required for admission. The Board of
2

Trustees of Illinois State University shall not
3

discriminate in the University's admissions process
4

against an applicant for admission because of the
5

applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
6

under Article 27A of the School Code. Illinois State
7

University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
8

an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
9

curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
10

disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
11

organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
12

the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
13

the institution incorporates in the applicant's
14

baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
15

activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
16

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
17

required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
18

distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
19

the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
20

and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
21

categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
22

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
23
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
24
coursework required by subsection (a).
25

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
26
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or

HB4343
- 28 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
2
test as a prerequisite to admission.
3

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
4
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
5
application for admission to the University as a freshman
6
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
7
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
8
request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the
9
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
10
was on active duty during the fall semester.
11

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
12
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
13
from a public community college in this State with the
14
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
15
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
16
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
17
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
18
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
19
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
20
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
21
community college in this State. The University shall post
22
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
23
Internet website.
24

(f) With respect to each academic program of the
25
University that has a limited capacity to admit students due
26
to a high demand for admission to the program, at least 70% of

HB4343
- 29 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
the students admitted to the program must be residents of this
2
State.
3
(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

4

(110 ILCS 675/20-125)
5

Sec. 20-125.
Tuition increase limitations

Limitation on
6
tuition increase
.
7

(a)
This
subsection (a)

Section
applies only to those
8
students who first enroll after the 2003-2004 academic year.
9
For 4 continuous academic years following initial enrollment
10
(or for undergraduate programs that require more than 4 years
11
to complete, for the normal time to complete the program, as
12
determined by the University), the tuition charged an
13
undergraduate student who is an Illinois resident shall not
14
exceed the amount that the student was charged at the time he
15
or she first enrolled in the University. However, if the
16
student changes majors during this time period, the tuition
17
charged the student shall equal the amount the student would
18
have been charged had he or she been admitted to the changed
19
major when he or she first enrolled. An undergraduate student
20
who is an Illinois resident and who has for 4 continuous
21
academic years been charged no more than the tuition amount
22
that he or she was charged at the time he or she first enrolled
23
in the University shall be charged tuition not to exceed the
24
amount the University charged students who first enrolled in
25
the University for the academic year following the academic

HB4343
- 30 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
year the student first enrolled in the University for a
2
maximum of 2 additional continuous academic years.
3

(b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the Board
4
may not increase the in-state tuition rate for a given
5
academic year by a percentage that exceeds the percentage
6
increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
7
Consumers for all items published by the Bureau of Labor
8
Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the 12
9
months ending on the previous December 31.
10
(Source: P.A. 96-1293, eff. 7-26-10.)

11

Section 40.
The Northeastern Illinois University Law is
12
amended by changing Sections 25-85 and 25-120 as follows:

13

(110 ILCS 680/25-85)
14

Sec. 25-85.
Admissions.
15

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
16
of the departments or colleges of the Northeastern Illinois
17
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
18
completed:
19

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
20

the following 5 categories:
21

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
22

oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
23

years may be collegiate level instruction;
24

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history

HB4343
- 31 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

and government);
2

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
3

advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
4

fundamentals of computer programming);
5

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
6

agricultural sciences); and
7

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
8

(which may be deemed to include American Sign
9

Language), music, career and technical education,
10

agricultural education, or art;
11

(2) except that Northeastern Illinois University may
12

admit individual applicants if it determines through
13

assessment or through evaluation based on learning
14

outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and
15

technical education courses and courses taken in a charter
16

school established under Article 27A of the School Code,
17

that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills
18

substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills
19

expected to be acquired in the high school courses
20

required for admission. The Board of Trustees of
21

Northeastern Illinois University shall not discriminate in
22

the University's admissions process against an applicant
23

for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a
24

charter school established under Article 27A of the School
25

Code. Northeastern Illinois University may also admit (i)
26

applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the

HB4343
- 32 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and
2

(ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are
3

admitted to the formal organized special assistance
4

programs that are tailored to the needs of such students,
5

providing that in either case, the institution
6

incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum
7

courses or other academic activities that compensate for
8

course deficiencies; and
9

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
10

required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
11

distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
12

the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
13

and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
14

categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
15

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
16
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
17
coursework required by subsection (a).
18

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
19
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
20
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
21
test as a prerequisite to admission.
22

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
23
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
24
application for admission to the University as a freshman
25
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
26
active duty during the fall semester. The University may

HB4343
- 33 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the
2
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
3
was on active duty during the fall semester.
4

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
5
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
6
from a public community college in this State with the
7
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
8
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
9
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
10
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
11
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
12
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
13
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
14
community college in this State. The University shall post
15
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
16
Internet website.
17

(f) With respect to each academic program of the
18
University that has a limited capacity to admit students due
19
to a high demand for admission to the program, at least 70% of
20
the students admitted to the program must be residents of this
21
State.
22
(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

23

(110 ILCS 680/25-120)
24

Sec. 25-120.
Tuition increase limitations

Limitation on
25
tuition increase
.

HB4343
- 34 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

(a)
This
subsection (a)

Section
applies only to those
2
students who first enroll after the 2003-2004 academic year.
3
For 4 continuous academic years following initial enrollment
4
(or for undergraduate programs that require more than 4 years
5
to complete, for the normal time to complete the program, as
6
determined by the University), the tuition charged an
7
undergraduate student who is an Illinois resident shall not
8
exceed the amount that the student was charged at the time he
9
or she first enrolled in the University. However, if the
10
student changes majors during this time period, the tuition
11
charged the student shall equal the amount the student would
12
have been charged had he or she been admitted to the changed
13
major when he or she first enrolled. An undergraduate student
14
who is an Illinois resident and who has for 4 continuous
15
academic years been charged no more than the tuition amount
16
that he or she was charged at the time he or she first enrolled
17
in the University shall be charged tuition not to exceed the
18
amount the University charged students who first enrolled in
19
the University for the academic year following the academic
20
year the student first enrolled in the University for a
21
maximum of 2 additional continuous academic years.
22

(b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the Board
23
may not increase the in-state tuition rate for a given
24
academic year by a percentage that exceeds the percentage
25
increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
26
Consumers for all items published by the Bureau of Labor

HB4343
- 35 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the 12
2
months ending on the previous December 31.
3
(Source: P.A. 96-1293, eff. 7-26-10.)

4

Section 45.
The Northern Illinois University Law is
5
amended by changing Sections 30-85 and 30-130 as follows:

6

(110 ILCS 685/30-85)
7

Sec. 30-85.
Admissions.
8

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
9
of the departments or colleges of the Northern Illinois
10
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
11
completed:
12

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
13

the following 5 categories:
14

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
15

oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
16

years may be collegiate level instruction;
17

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
18

and government);
19

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
20

advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
21

fundamentals of computer programming);
22

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
23

agricultural sciences); and
24

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language

HB4343
- 36 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

(which may be deemed to include American Sign
2

Language), music, career and technical education,
3

agricultural education, or art;
4

(2) except that Northern Illinois University may admit
5

individual applicants if it determines through assessment
6

or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
7

coursework taken, including career and technical education
8

courses and courses taken in a charter school established
9

under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
10

demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
11

to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
12

high school courses required for admission. The Board of
13

Trustees of Northern Illinois University shall not
14

discriminate in the University's admissions process
15

against an applicant for admission because of the
16

applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
17

under Article 27A of the School Code. Northern Illinois
18

University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
19

an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
20

curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
21

disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
22

organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
23

the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
24

the institution incorporates in the applicant's
25

baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
26

activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

HB4343
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LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
2

required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
3

distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
4

the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
5

and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
6

categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
7

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
8
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
9
coursework required by subsection (a).
10

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
11
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
12
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
13
test as a prerequisite to admission.
14

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
15
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
16
application for admission to the University as a freshman
17
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
18
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
19
request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the
20
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
21
was on active duty during the fall semester.
22

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
23
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
24
from a public community college in this State with the
25
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
26
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or

HB4343
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LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
2
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
3
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
4
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
5
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
6
community college in this State. The University shall post
7
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
8
Internet website.
9

(f) With respect to each academic program of the
10
University that has a limited capacity to admit students due
11
to a high demand for admission to the program, at least 70% of
12
the students admitted to the program must be residents of this
13
State.
14
(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

15

(110 ILCS 685/30-130)
16

Sec. 30-130.
Tuition increase limitations

Limitation on
17
tuition increase
.
18

(a)
This
subsection (a)

Section
applies only to those
19
students who first enroll after the 2003-2004 academic year.
20
For 4 continuous academic years following initial enrollment
21
(or for undergraduate programs that require more than 4 years
22
to complete, for the normal time to complete the program, as
23
determined by the University), the tuition charged an
24
undergraduate student who is an Illinois resident shall not
25
exceed the amount that the student was charged at the time he

HB4343
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LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
or she first enrolled in the University. However, if the
2
student changes majors during this time period, the tuition
3
charged the student shall equal the amount the student would
4
have been charged had he or she been admitted to the changed
5
major when he or she first enrolled. An undergraduate student
6
who is an Illinois resident and who has for 4 continuous
7
academic years been charged no more than the tuition amount
8
that he or she was charged at the time he or she first enrolled
9
in the University shall be charged tuition not to exceed the
10
amount the University charged students who first enrolled in
11
the University for the academic year following the academic
12
year the student first enrolled in the University for a
13
maximum of 2 additional continuous academic years.
14

(b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the Board
15
may not increase the in-state tuition rate for a given
16
academic year by a percentage that exceeds the percentage
17
increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
18
Consumers for all items published by the Bureau of Labor
19
Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the 12
20
months ending on the previous December 31.
21
(Source: P.A. 96-1293, eff. 7-26-10.)

22

Section 50.
The Western Illinois University Law is amended
23
by changing Sections 35-85 and 35-125 as follows:

24

(110 ILCS 690/35-85)

HB4343
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LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

Sec. 35-85.
Admissions.
2

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
3
of the departments or colleges of the Western Illinois
4
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
5
completed:
6

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
7

the following 5 categories:
8

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
9

oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
10

years may be collegiate level instruction;
11

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
12

and government);
13

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
14

advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
15

fundamentals of computer programming);
16

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
17

agricultural sciences); and
18

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
19

(which may be deemed to include American Sign
20

Language), music, career and technical education,
21

agricultural education, or art;
22

(2) except that Western Illinois University may admit
23

individual applicants if it determines through assessment
24

or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
25

coursework taken, including career and technical education
26

courses and courses taken in a charter school established

HB4343
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LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
2

demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
3

to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
4

high school courses required for admission. The Board of
5

Trustees of Western Illinois University shall not
6

discriminate in the University's admissions process
7

against an applicant for admission because of the
8

applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
9

under Article 27A of the School Code. Western Illinois
10

University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
11

an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
12

curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
13

disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
14

organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
15

the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
16

the institution incorporates in the applicant's
17

baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
18

activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
19

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
20

required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
21

distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
22

the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
23

and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
24

categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
25

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
26
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the

HB4343
- 42 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
coursework required by subsection (a).
2

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
3
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
4
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
5
test as a prerequisite to admission.
6

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
7
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
8
application for admission to the University as a freshman
9
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
10
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
11
request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the
12
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
13
was on active duty during the fall semester.
14

(e) Beginning with the 20245-2026 academic year, the
15
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
16
from a public community college in this State with the
17
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
18
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
19
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
20
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
21
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
22
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
23
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
24
community college in this State. The University shall post
25
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
26
Internet website.

HB4343
- 43 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

(f) With respect to each academic program of the
2
University that has a limited capacity to admit students due
3
to a high demand for admission to the program, at least 70% of
4
the students admitted to the program must be residents of this
5
State.
6
(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

7

(110 ILCS 690/35-125)
8

Sec. 35-125.
Tuition increase limitations

Limitation on
9
tuition increase
.
10

(a)
This
subsection (a)

Section
applies only to those
11
students who first enroll after the 2003-2004 academic year.
12
For 4 continuous academic years following initial enrollment
13
(or for undergraduate programs that require more than 4 years
14
to complete, for the normal time to complete the program, as
15
determined by the University), the tuition charged an
16
undergraduate student who is an Illinois resident shall not
17
exceed the amount that the student was charged at the time he
18
or she first enrolled in the University. However, if the
19
student changes majors during this time period, the tuition
20
charged the student shall equal the amount the student would
21
have been charged had he or she been admitted to the changed
22
major when he or she first enrolled. An undergraduate student
23
who is an Illinois resident and who has for 4 continuous
24
academic years been charged no more than the tuition amount
25
that he or she was charged at the time he or she first enrolled

HB4343
- 44 -
LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
in the University shall be charged tuition not to exceed the
2
amount the University charged students who first enrolled in
3
the University for the academic year following the academic
4
year the student first enrolled in the University for a
5
maximum of 2 additional continuous academic years.
6

(b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the Board
7
may not increase the in-state tuition rate for a given
8
academic year by a percentage that exceeds the percentage
9
increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
10
Consumers for all items published by the Bureau of Labor
11
Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the 12
12
months ending on the previous December 31.
13
(Source: P.A. 96-1293, eff. 7-26-10.)

14

Section 55.
The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is
15
amended by adding Section 65.135 as follows:

16

(110 ILCS 947/65.135 new)
17

Sec. 65.135.
Illinois workforce incentive program.
18

(a) The Commission shall establish a workforce incentive
19
program in which a student who enrolls in a high-need field at
20
an institution, as designated by the Commission, may receive a
21
grant to reduce tuition costs or loan forgiveness if the
22
student commits to working in this State for at least 3 after
23
graduation. Under the program, a student from an underserved
24
region of this State may also receive additional admission and

HB4343
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LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1
tuition support from the Commission, based on criteria
2
developed by the Commission.
3

(b) The Commission shall adopt all rules necessary to
4
carry out its responsibilities under this Section.

HB4343
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LRB104 16928 LNS 30342 b
1

INDEX

2

Statutes amended in order of appearance

3

110 ILCS 205/9.47 new
4

110 ILCS 205/9.48 new
5

110 ILCS 305/8
from Ch. 144, par. 29
6

110 ILCS 305/25
7

110 ILCS 520/8e
from Ch. 144, par. 658e
8

110 ILCS 520/15
9

110 ILCS 660/5-85
10

110 ILCS 660/5-120
11

110 ILCS 665/10-85
12

110 ILCS 665/10-120
13

110 ILCS 670/15-85
14

110 ILCS 670/15-120
15

110 ILCS 675/20-85
16

110 ILCS 675/20-125
17

110 ILCS 680/25-85
18

110 ILCS 680/25-120
19

110 ILCS 685/30-85
20

110 ILCS 685/30-130
21

110 ILCS 690/35-85
22

110 ILCS 690/35-125
23

110 ILCS 947/65.135 new

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