Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year and subject to appropriation, provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall, each year, receive and consider applications for grant assistance under a pilot program to be known as the Growing Regional Opportunities for Work (GROW) Illinois Grant Pilot Program. Provides that the Commission may award grants under the program to applicants who are enrolled or plan to enroll at a public community college participating in the program in a certificate, license, or degree program to work in a high-demand industry, among other qualifications. Sets forth provisions concerning grant renewal, posting requirements, the allocation of funding, the application process, matching and unclaimed funds, the grant amount, reporting requirements, and rulemaking. Repeals the provisions on October 1, 2031. Effective immediately.
Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois Community College Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: General Funds $360,974,400; Other State Funds $121,395,000; Federal Funds $51,000,000; Total $533,369,400.
Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of Northern Illinois University for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: General Funds $103,639,900; Other State Funds $22,000; Total $103,661,900.
Amends Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act. Defines "transfer articulation agreement". Sets forth the purpose of the Act. Provides that a State university shall (rather than the General Assembly encourages State universities) to facilitate the seamless transfer of credits toward a baccalaureate degree. Provides that a State university shall enter into a transfer articulation agreement with the community college district to provide a seamless pathway for transfer. Provides that if, within 180 calendar days of the community college's initial request to enter into a transfer articulation agreement with the State university, the community college and State university do not reach agreement on the transfer articulation agreement, then the community college and State university shall jointly implement the provisions of the Model Transfer Articulation Agreement. Provides that a Model Transfer Articulation Agreement shall be developed through a Transfer Articulation Committee by December 31, 2025. Requires each community college and State university to publish the institution's process and timeline for reviewing and making decisions regarding transfer credit requests on the institution's website. Removes language regarding the Board of Higher Education's reviews and reports. Provides instead that, by May 1, 2026, and May 1 of each subsequent year, each State university shall report to the Board of Higher Education specified information. Effective immediately.
Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Governors State University for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: General Funds $27,376,700.
Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Western Illinois University for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: General Funds $58,531,300; Other State Funds $10,000;Total $58,541,300.
Amends the Dual Credit Quality Act. Provides that prior to offering dual credit coursework, a school district shall attempt to enter into a partnership agreement with the community college district in the community college district in which the school district is located, but if pursuing an alternative provider other than the community college district, the school district shall enter into a partnership agreement with the alternative postsecondary institution that complies with the Act. Requires a partnership agreement to provide for a Dual Credit Qualifications Committee that shall develop a Dual Credit Instructor Qualification Framework. Provides that the Framework shall define the appropriate graduate coursework for fully qualified and minimally qualified instructors and the equivalent experience required to be a fully qualified career and technical education instructor. Requires a Model Dual Credit Instructor Qualification Framework to be developed through a Committee involving collaboration between the Illinois Community College Board and the State Board of Education by June 30, 2026. Provides that the academic credentials required to be a fully qualified instructor shall include either (i) a master's degree within the discipline to be taught or (ii) any master's degree and not more than 18 graduate hours appropriate to the academic field of study or in the discipline to be taught. Provides that a community college district with an established partnership agreement with a school district has 30 calendar days from the initial course request to notify the school district of its disapproval of the course request, instructor, course documentation, or the community college district's withdrawal of course or instructor approval, and thereafter, the school district shall appeal the denial or withdrawal of the instructor approval to the Illinois Community College Board within 14 calendar days after the disapproval notice. Allows the Illinois Community College Board to conduct a study to examine dual credit students and their short-term and long-term outcomes. Makes other changes.
Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the University of Illinois for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: General Funds $730,106,200; Other State Funds $9,558,700; Total $739,664,900.
Appropriates $20,000,000 to the University of Illinois for the purpose of increasing the extension service trust fund allocation for the University of Illinois Extension program. Effective July 1, 2025.
Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the University of Illinois for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: General Funds $730,106,200; Other State Funds $9,558,700;Total $739,664,900.
