By Danielle Stanley, Senior Manager of Government Affairs
Members of the Illinois General Assembly wrapped up their fall veto session in the early morning hours of October 31 after two busy weeks marked by long days, late nights, and major decisions shaping the state’s budget and policy priorities. Lawmakers took up several key issues, including mass transit, clean energy, justice reform, and higher education. Several measures advanced that reflect Illinois’ continued commitment to equity, opportunity, and fiscal responsibility.
Protecting Higher Education from Federal Overreach
PCC most closely followed HB 4164, a bill that would prohibit Illinois’ public universities from signing on to the federal Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. The federal Compact promises colleges easier access to federal funds, but at the cost of their academic and institutional freedom. The conditions for signing include unconstitutional demands that universities abolish units that “belittle… conservative ideas,” as well as sacrificing autonomy over everything from which students institutions can enroll, which faculty they can hire, and what tuition level to charge their students.
To push back on this extortionary tactic, Representative Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville), Chair of the House Higher Education Committee, introduced HB 4164, which would preserve Illinois universities’ autonomy and mission by prohibiting them from signing onto the Compact. Although HB 4164 did not advance this fall, the debate sent a powerful signal: Illinois lawmakers will not allow federal coercion to dictate state higher-education policy.
PCC will continue working with legislative champions, advocates, and higher-education partners to ensure Illinois remains a leader in academic integrity, access, and inclusion.
Illinois’ Educator Pipeline and Equity in a Post–Affirmative Action Era
Sponsored by Representative Maurice West and Senator Robert Peters, HB 3065 continues Illinois’ work to strengthen its educator pipeline and expand access to the teaching profession. The Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship—which provides financial aid to students of color who commit to teaching in high-need schools—has recently faced a federal lawsuit challenging its constitutionality on the basis of race-based eligibility. In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision ending affirmative action in college admissions, lawmakers have been exploring ways to preserve the program’s intent while minimizing legal risk.
HB 3065 also updates the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois (DFI) Program, shifting it from explicit race-based eligibility to a model grounded in Pell Grant eligibility and institutional need. Under the new framework, participating institutions must now have at least 45% Pell recipients, and applicants must have previously received a Pell Grant—ensuring the program continues to serve students who are disproportionately first-generation and students of color, but through income-based and access-driven criteria rather than race alone.
Together, these changes reflect Illinois’ commitment to building a diverse and inclusive educator workforce while aligning state policy with the evolving legal landscape. Such actions should reflect that only race-conscious policies can address racial disparities in educational and economic outcomes. The result should be a balanced, data-driven approaches that advance racial and economic diversity through legally sustainable mechanisms.
Safe Zones and Immigrant Protections
Another notable measure, HB 1312, sponsored by House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon, establishes “safe zones” around courthouses and requires universities, hospitals, and childcare centers to have clear policies for responding to immigration enforcement actions. The Latino Policy Forum and Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights led advocacy for this bill, with PCC submitting a witness slip in support.
Safe learning environments are essential to educational access, and this bill ensures students can pursue their education free from fear or intimidation.
Justice Reform and Second Chances: Illinois Passes the Clean Slate Act
One of the most significant moments of the session was the passage of the Clean Slate Act (HB 1836), championed by Senator Elgie Sims and Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth. This landmark legislation helps people move forward by automatically sealing eligible criminal records after individuals have remained crime-free for a set period of time.
For years, Illinois residents with old, low-level convictions have faced unnecessary barriers to employment, housing, and education. The Clean Slate Act simplifies a process that was previously expensive and confusing, making it automatic rather than requiring individuals to navigate a complicated petition system. It also expands which records can be sealed and improves data accuracy to prevent errors that have historically limited access to opportunity.
We view this legislation as more than a criminal justice win—it’s a higher education issue. This policy change will open doors for an estimated 2.2 million Illinoisans who previously may have faced barriers to participating in higher education, despite research that shows restricting access to these populations does not make colleges any safer. And for justice-impacted individuals, access to college can be transformative, reducing recidivism and increasing economic mobility.
PCC is actively exploring ways to expand college access for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students, ensuring that Illinois’ higher education system remains a pathway to renewal and advancement for everyone, regardless of their background.
Revenue and Fiscal Responsibility
The Revenue Omnibus Bill (SB 1911), sponsored by Representative Curtis Tarver and Senator Elgie Sims, was another major accomplishment. The legislation decouples Illinois from portions of the federal tax cuts, allowing the state to recover about $250 million for reinvestment in education, housing, and community services. It also creates new economic development tools—like the SIDE Act and STAR Bonds Program—to spur tourism and workforce growth across Illinois.
While the measure provides a short-term boost in available revenue, it remains unclear whether this step will ultimately clear the path for greater, sustained investment in higher education or make it more challenging to secure new, dedicated revenue streams for public universities. As Illinois continues to balance its fiscal pressures, advocates are calling for a long-term plan that ensures higher education—central to the state’s talent pipeline and economic competitiveness—receives the consistent funding it needs to thrive.
Looking Ahead
As the Illinois Senate and House release the 2026 Legislative Session Schedule, PCC is preparing to advance the Adequate and Equitable Funding Formula (SB 13/HB 1581) in January. Our work continues—advocating for policies that promote fairness, strengthen institutional stability, and expand access to higher education for all students. This year’s progress includes a $71 million increase in MAP funding, helping more students afford college, and advancing legislation to expand higher education opportunities for incarcerated individuals.
PCC remains committed to ensuring every student in Illinois—including justice-impacted and immigrant learners—can pursue a degree and achieve economic mobility.