East Central Reporter

State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) has introduced House Bill 4118, a measure aimed at restricting financial aid for undocumented immigrants in Illinois. The bill stipulates that undocumented students would be prohibited from accessing state financial aid unless the same benefits are available to all U.S. citizens, regardless of their home state.

The proposal follows Governor J.B. Pritzker’s signing of HB 460 in August, which expanded eligibility for financial aid to undocumented students in Illinois. According to Halbrook, this expansion places additional pressure on limited public resources and raises concerns about fairness.

Halbrook referenced a recent complaint by the Department of Justice against Governor Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul that challenges the new law expanding benefits for undocumented students. “The Department of Justice made it clear: federal law prohibits giving benefits to illegal aliens that aren’t equally available to American citizens,” said Rep. Halbrook. “But here in Illinois, we’ve flipped that on its head—treating law-breaking noncitizens better than law-abiding citizens from neighboring states. Illinois has no business defying federal law just to win points in a so-called ‘race to the bottom’ for sanctuary status. That’s why I’ve filed HB 4118, to bring Illinois into compliance with federal law and restore fairness to our higher education system.”

The Department of Justice is seeking an end to laws that provide taxpayer-funded tuition breaks and scholarships exclusively for undocumented students in Illinois. Halbrook expressed support for the lawsuit, arguing that ongoing expansions of aid signal misplaced priorities.

“My bill is simple: if you’re in the country illegally, you cannot receive scholarships, grants, or loans from the State of Illinois unless every U.S. citizen, regardless of the state they live in is also eligible,” continued Halbrook. “Someone who is lawfully present in the U.S. but lives in another state should never be treated worse than someone who is here unlawfully. That’s not only the law, but it’s common sense and basic fairness. It’s time we put Americans first—not illegal aliens,” concluded Halbrook.

Halbrook was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 107th House District in 2023, succeeding Blaine Wilhour.

HB 4118 is pending further legislative action.