Bill loosens in-state tuition requirements

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Some students from outside the Land of Lincoln may soon pay in-state tuition at Illinois public universities and colleges, but the cost of recently-passed legislation generated partisan disagreement in Springfield.

According to a bill passed on Sunday, individuals who graduated from an Illinois high school may be deemed residents for tuition purposes even if they live out of state before enrolling at an Illinois public university or college.

The measure loosens residency requirements for students who attended high school or community college in Illinois for certain periods of time and for military personnel previously stationed in the state.

During floor debate at the Illinois Capitol last weekend, state Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, said House Bill 5093 would drive up the tuition costs for Illinois families.

“In-state tuition means something. This legislation completely changes the definition of in-state tuition,” Plummer said.

Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, said, as revenue committee chair, she has something to say about where money is going.

“Senator, I’m not sure where you’re getting your information from, but I can tell you that based off of my conversations with universities, the cost is going to be negligible,” Villanueva said.

Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood supported the bill and said universities in surrounding states waived out-of-state tuition fees.

“We would not be the first state or the second state or the third state to come on board doing so,” Lightford said.

In the House, state Rep. Regan Deering, R-Decatur, asked the bill sponsor, state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, if non-citizens would get in-state tuition while American citizens from other states pay out-of-state tuition.

“That is correct and mainly because we do have a lot of undocumented population that maybe were not born here but have been in this state for many, many years,” Hernandez said.

Deering said tuition will continue to go up at state universities.

“Someone is going to have to cover the cost, make up the difference for what would be otherwise out-of-state tuition for those non-citizens who are now attending,” Deering said.

HB 5093 was approved in both houses of the legislature.

The bill will take effect immediately upon being signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, except for provisions related to certain universities and law schools.