Every Illinois public university received about one-third less operational funding from the state in fiscal year 2024 than 15 years ago. University of Illinois spending per student dropped by nearly half.

Illinois’ institutions of higher education will get nearly $530 million less from lawmakers to run this year than they did in fiscal year 2009, adjusted for inflation. Coupled with rapidly rising pensions, students and their families can expect ever-higher tuition costs.

Since 1998, more than 20,000 state university workers have opted into a 401(k)-style plan instead of the traditional pension plan.