SB1639 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 15331 CMG 20688 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB1639

Introduced 2/26/2021, by Sen. Chapin Rose

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 205/9.40 new

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to establish an online statewide direct admissions program to provide more high school seniors with the opportunity to obtain a postsecondary certificate or degree. Provides that the Board shall receive the grades of each high school student from district uploads to the Board. Provides that a student shall receive conditional acceptance to a public university or to a public community college based on his or her grade point average and college entrance examination scores relative to the benchmark grade point average and college entrance examination score set by the Board. Sets forth additional provisions of the program. Effective January 1, 2023.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning higher education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Board of Higher Education Act is amended by adding Section 9.40 as follows:

(110 ILCS 205/9.40 new)

Sec. 9.40. Direct admissions program.

(a) The Board of Higher Education shall create an online statewide direct admissions program to provide more high school seniors with the opportunity to obtain a postsecondary certificate or degree. The Board shall model the program after the Direct Admissions initiative in Idaho. The Board shall receive the grades of each high school student from school district uploads to the State Board of Education. The Board shall establish a benchmark grade point average and college entrance examination score to determine a student's admission eligibility. A student at or above the benchmark shall be conditionally admitted, pending the student's successful completion of high school, to the following public universities: University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, or any other public university or college now or hereafter established or authorized by the General Assembly. A student who does not meet the benchmark grade point average and college entrance examination score shall be conditionally admitted, pending the student's successful completion of high school, to the public community college located in his or her district.

(b) A student and his or her family shall receive notification separately about the student's conditional acceptance. The notification shall encourage the student to research the academic, professional, technical, and vocational programs offered by the public universities and community colleges located in the State. The student must complete and submit a direct admissions application for admission to the institution or institutions of his or her choice. The student shall not be required to pay an application fee for admission to the institution or institutions to which he or she applies. Any application fee associated with the direct admissions application form shall be credited on the student's first tuition statement issued by the institution.

(c) The Board shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this program.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2023.