State leaders in Illinois announced on Mar. 11 that House Bill 5037 has been introduced to direct a third party or the Illinois Board of Higher Education to conduct a comprehensive study of the state’s public universities. The goal is to develop a 10-year roadmap aimed at improving accountability, sustainability, and affordability in higher education.
The proposal comes as Illinois faces significant challenges in its higher education system, including declining enrollment and students leaving the state for college. Supporters say that without intervention, these trends could negatively impact the state’s workforce and economic future.
Representative Keicher said, “Illinois cannot ignore the warning signs facing our higher education system. Enrollment has dropped dramatically, students are leaving the state for college, and demographic trends mean the challenges will only grow. We need a clear-eyed review of how our universities operate and how they are funded so we can protect students, taxpayers and the future of our workforce.”
Since 2009, total enrollment in Illinois higher education has fallen by about 29 percent, representing a loss of over 106,000 full-time students. Despite this decline, Illinois provided public universities with $24,562 in state funding per full-time student in 2023—the second-highest amount nationwide and more than double the national average. In-state tuition and fees have also increased by an average of 66 percent since 2009.
Batinick said, “Illinois needs a long-term strategy for higher education that focuses on students and outcomes. A comprehensive study will help identify cost drivers, improve transparency and ensure funding supports education results instead of outdated structures.”
Supporters argue that House Bill 5037 would help lawmakers identify cost drivers within universities, improve accountability for taxpayers, develop strategies to make institutions more adaptable and affordable, and better align higher education with workforce needs.
Keicher added, “A stronger higher education system is essential to Illinois’ economic future. This proposal is about making sure our universities are prepared to serve students and compete in the decades ahead.”
The Illinois Policy Institute works to foster fiscal responsibility and government reform to build a more prosperous future for Illinois residents according to the official website. The organization seeks to promote free-market principles and limited government according to its official website. It concentrates efforts on issues within Illinois according to its official website, offering data-driven analysis on topics such as state budgets, taxes, education, and pensions according to its official website. The institute functions as an independent nonprofit think tank focused on policy analysis according to its official website with headquarters located in Chicago according to its official website.
Observers note that if passed into law, House Bill 5037 could set new priorities for how public university funding is allocated across Illinois.
