(The Center Square) – Legislation has been proposed that would transform how Illinois funds its higher education system, but not everyone is on board.
State Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, has introduced Senate Bill 13, an adequacy-based funding formula for public universities similar to Illinois’ evidence-based K-12 funding model that was adopted in 2017.
The plan calls for adding nearly $2 billion in new funding over the next decade, but distributing the funds under a formula that would give priority to schools that are currently the least adequately funded, disregarding their academic outcomes.
“Despite education’s paramount importance, the disparity in funding among higher educational institutions remains dreadfully evident,” said Lightford. “This imbalance not only undermines the principle of equal opportunity but also hampers our collective progress as a society.”
Lightford is part of the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding. The 30-person commission studied if public institutions of higher education are in need of a new funding model when serving underrepresented and historically underserved student groups, including Black and brown students, as well as students from low-income families.
Nick Jones, vice president of academic affairs for the University of Illinois System, said a tiered, mission-aligned approach to funding would be more ideal.
“This approach would ensure that funding supports student outcomes, holds institutions accountable for results and drives true equitable distribution of the state’s investment in higher education,” said Jones.
He noted that under the proposed formula, the U of I System would receive less than 30% of any new funding provided in the first year of the program.
State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Murrayville, said the government keeps pumping more money into Illinois’ K-12 schools and the results aren’t there.
“Until we make higher education, college education, affordable for students throughout the state of Illinois, we shouldn’t be giving them any more money,” said Davidsmeyer. “We have to figure out how to get that tuition down and how to get Illinois students into Illinois schools.”
