As Illinois approaches a decline in the college-age population and interest groups push for more higher education funding, state leaders today called for more data.
MEDIA ADVISORY from
ILLINOIS POLICY
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Illinois General Assembly: Joel C. Sikes, (847) 946-7954
Illinois Policy: Micky Horstman, (312) 607-4977
State leaders: Illinois must study higher education funding to stop losing students and talent
CHICAGO (March 11, 2026) — As Illinois approaches a decline in the college-age population and interest groups push for more higher education funding, state leaders today called for more data.
State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, joined Mark Batinick, a senior fellow at the Illinois Policy Institute and a former state representative, to discuss concerns about the long-term sustainability of Illinois’ public universities.
Keicher is sponsoring House Bill 5037, which would direct a third party or the Illinois Board of Higher Education to study Illinois’ public universities and develop a 10-year roadmap to improve accountability, sustainability and affordability.
“Illinois cannot ignore the warning signs facing our higher education system,” Keicher said. “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.”
Total enrollment in Illinois higher education has fallen about 29% since 2009, a loss of over 106,000 full-time students.
Because of a state funding formula that awards appropriations based on historical precedent, money is not flowing to schools students are choosing. As a result, the only three Illinois public universities with higher enrollment this fall than they had two decades ago — the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Illinois-Chicago and Illinois State University — saw the largest declines in per-student state funding.
“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study will help identify cost drivers, improve transparency and ensure funding supports education results instead of outdated structures,” Batinick said.
Despite serving fewer students, Illinois provided public universities $24,562 in state funding per full-time student in 2023, the second-most nationwide and more than double the national average. Meanwhile, in-state tuition and fees have increased 66% on average since 2009, ranking among the highest nationwide.
Supporters of House Bill 5037 say the study would help lawmakers:
- Identify cost drivers and ensure that funding supports education outcomes rather than waste.
- Improve accountability and transparency for taxpayers.
- Develop a 10-year roadmap to make state universities more adaptable and affordable.
- Align higher education with Illinois’ current and future workforce needs.
“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,” Keicher said.
To watch the press conference, visit RepKeicher.com.
For bookings or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.