PCC Urges Governor, Legislators to Act on Equitable Higher Education Funding
Following Governor J.B. Pritzker’s fiscal year 2026 budget address, the Partnership for College Completion (PCC) strongly urges the Illinois General Assembly to act now to pass a bill that establishes a funding formula for public universities to ensure that adequate, equitable, and sustainable funding for higher education is a top priority for our state in this critical moment.
The Governor’s address emphasized many important investments and some suggested policy changes for higher education. The proposed budget includes a 3% increase in funding for colleges and universities, totaling $46 million–essentially, level funding after accounting for inflation. This includes a $37 million boost for public universities and $9 million for community colleges.
Additionally, PCC applauds the Governor’s plan to pass legislation allowing community colleges to apply to offer four-year baccalaureate degrees in needed areas. Research shows that in states with community college baccalaureate offerings, access is increased for those who face cost and geographic barriers, while not drawing enrollment away from nearby public or non-profit colleges and universities.
While PCC acknowledges the increased funding in a tight budget year and expanding opportunities in the state for bachelor’s degree, this incrementalist approach does not match the strong rhetoric of the speech or what is needed for higher education today.
“Governor Pritzker made all of Illinois proud by framing the threat that exists at the federal level in regards to vital public accommodations being dismantled and defunded,” said Christian Perry, PCC Director of Policy and Advocacy. “However, in an existential moment for public colleges and universities, there is more that we must do to assure that Illinois’ public colleges and universities will be supported as they weather attacks at the federal level.”
The most glaring omission from the Governor’s address was the absence of any mention of the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act (SB 13 / HB 1581). This piece of historic legislation would bring Illinois from having no funding model for public universities to leading the country in ensuring long-term, evidence-based support for the state’s public universities. The model is based on years of research through the work of the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding and lays out an approach that identifies what resources institutions need from the state, and a path for each public university to reach full funding over the next 10-15 years. This legislation is essential to bringing long-term stability and fairness to higher education funding in Illinois. However, this vision remains out of reach without a sustained investment from the Governor and the legislature.
“At a time when we are experiencing full frontal attacks from the federal government on higher education–on our students and our colleges and universities–we cannot afford incremental actions. In Illinois, we still face a funding system that lacks a data-informed approach and the necessary investments our universities need to alleviate the financial burden on students, and ensure all of our public universities have the resources they need to provide quality higher education opportunities for all Illinois residents,” PCC Executive Director Lisa Castillo Richmond said. “PCC is committed to working with legislators to move these bills forward. This approach to funding, after decades of disinvestment, will help set every institution on the path to success and stability, creating a stronger future for Illinois students and families, and the state as a whole.”
PCC also advocates for a $73 million increase to meet the growing demand for need-based financial aid for Illinois students, another key driver of college affordability in the state. The Governor’s proposed FY26 budget includes a modest $10 million increase for the Monetary Award Program (MAP), bringing the total to $721.6 million. MAP grants have steadily increased during the Pritzker Administration by $320 million since 2019, helping more than 151,000 students in FY25. Despite these gains, the rising cost of tuition and living expenses continues to leave many students struggling to make ends meet or unable to choose college at all.
PCC is continuing its analysis of the Governor’s budget proposal and will release a detailed blog post on its website the week of February 24. On Tuesday, March 18, PCC will continue to press for the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act and increased MAP funding as part of the Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding’s annual Higher Education Advocacy Day at the State Capitol Building in Springfield, Ill.
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ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP FOR COLLEGE COMPLETION
The Partnership for College Completion (PCC) champions policies, practices, and systems that increase college completion and eliminate degree completion disparities for low-income, first-generation, and students of color in Illinois – particularly Black and Latinx students.
For more information about the Partnership for College Completion and its work to advocate for equitable higher education funding, please visit www.partnershipfcc.org.