HIGHER EDUCATION TEXTBOOKS

Creates the Higher Education Textbook Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board, in collaboration with affiliated bookstores and student and faculty representatives, to adopt rules requiring that affiliated bookstores (1) provide students the option of purchasing materials that are unbundled when possible, disclose to faculty and staff the costs to students of purchasing materials, and disclose publicly how new editions vary from previous editions; (2) actively promote and publicize book buy-back programs; and (3) disclose retail costs for course materials on a per course basis to faculty and staff and make this information publicly available. Requires faculty and staff members to consider the least costly practices in assigning course materials, such as adopting the least expensive edition available when educational content is comparable, as determined by the faculty or staff member, and working closely with publishers and affiliated bookstores to create bundles and packages if they deliver cost savings to students.