Bill Text: IL SB3081 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that the governing board of each public university shall provide all Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State with the university's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the university's transfer admissions process. Provides that the governing board of each public university is encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for low-income Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State. Provides that the governing board of each public university shall post this policy in an easily accessible place on the university's Internet website. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-08-09 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0936 [SB3081 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SB3081-Chaptered.html

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Public Act 103-0936
SB3081 Enrolled LRB103 36060 RJT 66147 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by
changing Section 8 as follows:
(110 ILCS 305/8) (from Ch. 144, par. 29)
Sec. 8. Admissions.
(a) (Blank).
(b) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the University unless such
student also has satisfactorily completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
agricultural sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
(which may be deemed to include American Sign
Language), music, career and technical education,
agricultural education, or art;
(2) except that institutions may admit individual
applicants if the institution determines through
assessment or through evaluation based on learning
outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and
technical education courses and courses taken in a charter
school established under Article 27A of the School Code,
that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills
substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills
expected to be acquired in the high school courses
required for admission. The Board of Trustees of the
University of Illinois shall not discriminate in the
University's admissions process against an applicant for
admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a
charter school established under Article 27A of the School
Code. Institutions may also admit 1) applicants who did
not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college
preparatory curriculum in high school, and 2)
educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to
the formal organized special assistance programs that are
tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in
either case, the institution incorporates in the
applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other

academic activities that compensate for course
deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of the 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(c) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (b).
(d) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
test as a prerequisite to admission.
(e) The Board of Trustees shall establish an admissions
process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted
to submit an application for admission to the University as a
freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the
veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. The
University may request that the Department of Veterans'
Affairs confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably
discharged veteran who was on active duty during the fall
semester.
(f) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring

from a public community college in this State with the
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
community college in this State. The University shall post
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
Internet website.
(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
Section 10. The Southern Illinois University Management
Act is amended by changing Section 8e as follows:
(110 ILCS 520/8e) (from Ch. 144, par. 658e)
Sec. 8e. Admissions.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the University unless such
student also has satisfactorily completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
agricultural sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
(which may be deemed to include American Sign
Language), music, career and technical education,
agricultural education, or art;
(2) except that institutions may admit individual
applicants if the institution determines through
assessment or through evaluation based on learning
outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and
technical education courses and courses taken in a charter
school established under Article 27A of the School Code,
that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills
substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills
expected to be acquired in the high school courses
required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Southern
Illinois University shall not discriminate in the
University's admissions process against an applicant for
admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a
charter school established under Article 27A of the School
Code. Institutions may also admit 1) applicants who did

not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college
preparatory curriculum in high school, and 2)
educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to
the formal organized special assistance programs that are
tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in
either case, the institution incorporates in the
applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other
academic activities that compensate for course
deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
test as a prerequisite to admission.
(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
application for admission to the University as a freshman
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on

active duty during the fall semester. The University may
request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
was on active duty during the fall semester.
(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
from a public community college in this State with the
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
community college in this State. The University shall post
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
Internet website.
(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
Section 15. The Chicago State University Law is amended by
changing Section 5-85 as follows:
(110 ILCS 660/5-85)
Sec. 5-85. Admissions.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the Chicago State University

unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
agricultural sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
(which may be deemed to include American Sign
Language), music, career and technical education,
agricultural education, or art;
(2) except that Chicago State University may admit
individual applicants if it determines through assessment
or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
coursework taken, including career and technical education
courses and courses taken in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
high school courses required for admission. The Board of

Trustees of Chicago State University shall not
discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Chicago State
University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
the institution incorporates in the applicant's
baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency

test as a prerequisite to admission.
(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
application for admission to the University as a freshman
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
was on active duty during the fall semester.
(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
from a public community college in this State with the
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
community college in this State. The University shall post
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
Internet website.
(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
Section 20. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended
by changing Section 10-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 665/10-85)
Sec. 10-85. Admissions.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the Eastern Illinois
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
agricultural sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
(which may be deemed to include American Sign
Language), music, career and technical education,
agricultural education, or art;
(2) except that Eastern Illinois University may admit
individual applicants if it determines through assessment
or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the

coursework taken, including career and technical education
courses and courses taken in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
high school courses required for admission. The Board of
Trustees of Eastern Illinois University shall not
discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Eastern Illinois
University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
the institution incorporates in the applicant's
baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
test as a prerequisite to admission.
(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
application for admission to the University as a freshman
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
was on active duty during the fall semester.
(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
from a public community college in this State with the
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
community college in this State. The University shall post

this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
Internet website.
(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
Section 25. The Governors State University Law is amended
by changing Section 15-85 as follows:
(110 ILCS 670/15-85)
Sec. 15-85. Admissions.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the Governors State
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
agricultural sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language

(which may be deemed to include American Sign
Language), music, career and technical education,
agricultural education, or art;
(2) except that Governors State University may admit
individual applicants if it determines through assessment
or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
coursework taken, including career and technical education
courses and courses taken in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
high school courses required for admission. The Board of
Trustees of Governors State University shall not
discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Governors State
University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
the institution incorporates in the applicant's
baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
test as a prerequisite to admission.
(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
application for admission to the University as a freshman
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
was on active duty during the fall semester.
(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
from a public community college in this State with the
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or

forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
community college in this State. The University shall post
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
Internet website.
(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
Section 30. The Illinois State University Law is amended
by changing Section 20-85 as follows:
(110 ILCS 675/20-85)
Sec. 20-85. Admissions.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the Illinois State
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
agricultural sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
(which may be deemed to include American Sign
Language), music, career and technical education,
agricultural education, or art;
(2) except that Illinois State University may admit
individual applicants if it determines through assessment
or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
coursework taken, including career and technical education
courses and courses taken in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
high school courses required for admission. The Board of
Trustees of Illinois State University shall not
discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Illinois State
University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally

disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
the institution incorporates in the applicant's
baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
test as a prerequisite to admission.
(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
application for admission to the University as a freshman
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who

was on active duty during the fall semester.
(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
from a public community college in this State with the
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
community college in this State. The University shall post
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
Internet website.
(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
Section 35. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is
amended by changing Section 25-85 as follows:
(110 ILCS 680/25-85)
Sec. 25-85. Admissions.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the Northeastern Illinois
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from

the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
agricultural sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
(which may be deemed to include American Sign
Language), music, career and technical education,
agricultural education, or art;
(2) except that Northeastern Illinois University may
admit individual applicants if it determines through
assessment or through evaluation based on learning
outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and
technical education courses and courses taken in a charter
school established under Article 27A of the School Code,
that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills
substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills
expected to be acquired in the high school courses
required for admission. The Board of Trustees of
Northeastern Illinois University shall not discriminate in

the University's admissions process against an applicant
for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a
charter school established under Article 27A of the School
Code. Northeastern Illinois University may also admit (i)
applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the
minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and
(ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are
admitted to the formal organized special assistance
programs that are tailored to the needs of such students,
providing that in either case, the institution
incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum
courses or other academic activities that compensate for
course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
application for admission to the University as a freshman
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
was on active duty during the fall semester.
(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
from a public community college in this State with the
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
community college in this State. The University shall post
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
Internet website.
(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
Section 40. The Northern Illinois University Law is
amended by changing Section 30-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 685/30-85)
Sec. 30-85. Admissions.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the Northern Illinois
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
agricultural sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
(which may be deemed to include American Sign
Language), music, career and technical education,
agricultural education, or art;
(2) except that Northern Illinois University may admit
individual applicants if it determines through assessment
or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
coursework taken, including career and technical education

courses and courses taken in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
high school courses required for admission. The Board of
Trustees of Northern Illinois University shall not
discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Northern Illinois
University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
the institution incorporates in the applicant's
baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall

recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
test as a prerequisite to admission.
(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
application for admission to the University as a freshman
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
was on active duty during the fall semester.
(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
from a public community college in this State with the
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the
University's transfer admissions process. The University is
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
community college in this State. The University shall post
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's

Internet website.
(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
Section 45. The Western Illinois University Law is amended
by changing Section 35-85 as follows:
(110 ILCS 690/35-85)
Sec. 35-85. Admissions.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the Western Illinois
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
agricultural sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
(which may be deemed to include American Sign

Language), music, career and technical education,
agricultural education, or art;
(2) except that Western Illinois University may admit
individual applicants if it determines through assessment
or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
coursework taken, including career and technical education
courses and courses taken in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
high school courses required for admission. The Board of
Trustees of Western Illinois University shall not
discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Western Illinois
University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
the institution incorporates in the applicant's
baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework

required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
test as a prerequisite to admission.
(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
application for admission to the University as a freshman
student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
active duty during the fall semester. The University may
request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
was on active duty during the fall semester.
(e) Beginning with the 20245-2026 academic year, the
University shall provide all Illinois students transferring
from a public community college in this State with the
University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee
waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or
forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the

University's transfer admissions process. The University is
encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the
undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for
low-income Illinois students transferring from a public
community college in this State. The University shall post
this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's
Internet website.
(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)