East Central Reporter

Legislation introduced during the spring session of the Illinois General Assembly seeks to change how state universities are funded. The proposal aims to increase support for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and would lower grade point average requirements.

If enacted, Illinois would become the first state in the nation to use a diversity-based formula for university funding. The proposed system considers several factors, including academic programs offered, total enrollment, and measures of student body diversity such as geographic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The plan could lead to increased funding for some institutions while reducing it for others. The University of Illinois is among those that could lose out under the new formula.

“The proposed legislation penalizes institutions that provide the most support for underrepresented and rural students while failing to ensure long-term access,” said University of Illinois Executive Vice President Dr. Nicholas Jones during an April Senate hearing. “Although we support several of the key aspirational goals of the bill, we do not agree with the methodology proposed to achieve those goals. Nor do we agree that this will provide what the University of Illinois needs to succeed.”

The bill’s Senate sponsor dismissed these concerns as “misinformation.”

At another committee hearing, University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen raised issues about the absence of academic performance metrics in the proposal.

“Maybe it’s a philosophical difference, but there ought to be an outcome orientation to the overall methodology to support public higher education in the state of Illinois,” Killeen said. “That includes graduation. It includes participation in civil society.”

State Representative Chris Miller criticized DEI efforts in schools.

“Illinois schools are being under attack by Democratic propaganda of ‘Creating a Fair Environment’ and students are being indoctrinated. We need to put a hard stop to this divisive movement and protect our schools and students from progressive policies that reduce quality education.”

The legislation follows years of work by a reform commission established by previous General Assembly action. However, some commission members say important topics were omitted from discussions. Concerns include questions about whether the bill is constitutional and issues related to having the Illinois Board of Higher Education manage university appropriations due to past challenges with grant distribution and reporting deadlines.

Transparency has also been questioned because operational funding hearings would be removed; only capital funding needs would be discussed between universities and lawmakers if this bill passes.

House Bill 1581 has more than twenty Democratic co-sponsors but did not progress out of committee this spring. A similar Senate Bill 13 also failed before adjournment. Supporters intend to continue pursuing changes in future legislative sessions.

Miller was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 101st House District in 2023 after replacing Reggie Phillips.

Recent developments have seen ongoing DEI efforts at Illinois schools despite threats regarding federal funding. In addition, an unlawful state DEI scholarship program was suspended following pressure from the U.S. Justice Department.