Illinois Senate committee holds intense hearing on potential higher education evidence-based funding model | Illinois Politics

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers hope to pass a bill in the final month of session to create an evidence-based funding model for Illinois public colleges and universities. Although, the idea has been met with intense criticism from the University of Illinois and some Senate Democratic leaders.

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) and Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) are leading the effort to shake up the funding process for the state’s 12 public universities, as they argue funding should be based on the needs of each college rather than a flat method of distribution.

“The more Illinois disinvests in its universities, the more tuition grows, pricing out more and more students, sending more and more students out of state where they then settle to work and raise families,” Lightford told the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

Advocates suggested investing at least $135 million in public universities over the next decade could help shift the burden of college costs away from students and families. Some argue an evidence-based funding model could also lead to 15,000 more college graduates each year.

Smaller campuses like Chicago State University receive significantly less funding than the state’s flagship college. Dr. Z Scott told senators that she would love to have the same quality buildings as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

“We haven’t updated a bathroom at Chicago State in 55 years,” Scott said. “Our roofs leak. 25% of our classrooms have no AV. We were able to update four of our lecture halls this year based on a charitable contribution.”

The proposed formula would account for the size of institutions, academic programs they offer, and the socioeconomic, racial, and geographic diversity of each university. Lightford and university leaders explained these variables could be used to calculate adequacy targets to ensure each college can meet the needs of its students.

Illinois State University President Dr. Aondover Tarhule said data from the Illinois Board of Higher Education show nearly half of all high school students going to a public university leave Illinois.

“The reason they do so is we are too expensive,” Tarhule said. “A student in Illinois can go out of state and get the same quality degree for $3,000 or $4,000 less. With more equitable funding, we would be able to charge less money and keep more students here.”

Leaders from the University of Illinois system strongly oppose the idea at this time. In fact, Lightford noted that U of I leaders opted out of negotiations with the state’s other public universities and shared information encouraging people to side against the plan.

Dr. Nicholas Jones, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs for the University of Illinois System told senators the legislation risks undermining the affordability, stability, and long-term competitiveness of the state of Illinois. Jones stressed that the U of I system is dedicated to expanding equitable access, enhancing student success, and promoting statewide economic growth.

“The proposed legislation penalizes institutions that provide the most support for underrepresented and rural students while failing to ensure long-term access,” Jones said. “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.”

Lightford ended Wednesday night’s intense subject matter hearing by criticizing the University of Illinois for sharing what she called misinformation about the bill. She said millions of dollars of financial aid and student support would not be at risk under her legislation.

“To me, you’re just trying to scare the hell out of students because that’s not true,” Lightford said. “This bill does not pit financial aid against the formula. It just doesn’t. In fact, we made sure the MAP Grant was its own fund.”

The Senate Executive Committee could discuss Senate Bill 13 again before the chamber’s committee and third reading deadline of May 9. Although, several powerful Senate Democrats were also critical of the idea and providing more funding to every public university.

Meanwhile, House Bill 1581 was re-referred to the House Rules Committee on March 21. Rep. Carol Ammons has gained support from 25 of her Democratic colleagues, but it is unknown if the proposal will move in that chamber.

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