On April 16, 2026, the Partnership for College Completion joined nearly 500 advocates with the Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding on their journey to Springfield, Illinois for Higher Education Advocacy Day. Established by the Coalition in 2022 as an online advocacy event, Higher Education Advocacy Day has since transformed into an in-person rally and gathering at the Illinois State Capitol building, consisting of students, professionals, and lawmakers from across Illinois calling for equitable changes to the state’s funding strategies for higher education.
Advocates pushed Illinois’ lawmakers to adequately invest in the state’s higher education system through legislation that will minimize funding disparities within its public colleges and universities. The collective goals for this year’s event were:
- To call on legislators to expand equitable funding in Illinois’ higher education system through an additional $71 million investment in the Monetary Award Program (MAP)
- To urge the passing of the Adequate and Equitable Funding Formula for Universities Act (SB 13 / HB 1581), ensuring a future of equitable distribution of funding and resources across Illinois’ universities.
“Our collective organizations recognize the importance and urgency of this legislation, and how its implementation will improve our existing higher education structures to benefit students from across the state,” said Dr. Kyle Southern, PCC Executive Director.
In addition to PCC’s staff and Student Advisory Council (SAC) members in attendance, the Coalition’s organizing efforts were supported by its partner organizations: Advance Illinois, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, Latino Policy Forum, Women Employed, and Young Invincibles. The Coalition received further support for the rally from the Illinois Federation of Teachers and University Professionals of Illinois.
Throughout the day’s events – including an organized rally in the Capitol Rotunda, several meetings with legislators from across Illinois, and a postcard activity as a direct call to action to support AEF and MAP – our advocates worked tirelessly to convey our message clearly: Higher Education Works for Illinois.
“As a member of the Coalition, PCC will continue to champion the passage of AEF and MAP, as we believe these funding efforts will help undo decades of discrimination against students from underrepresented backgrounds, and create a future where higher education in Illinois is affordable and accessible to all who pursue it,” said Southern.
For more information on the Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding’s affiliated organizations and mission, visit the website here.