State Representative Jeff Keicher announced on Mar. 11 a proposal to address concerns about the future of Illinois’ public universities by calling for a comprehensive study of higher education funding and enrollment. Keicher, a Republican from Sycamore, is sponsoring House Bill 5037, which would direct either a third party or the Illinois Board of Higher Education to conduct the study and develop a 10-year roadmap focused on accountability, sustainability, and affordability.
The issue comes as Illinois faces declining college-age populations and ongoing calls for increased higher education funding. Supporters say that understanding how universities operate and are funded is crucial for protecting students, taxpayers, and the state’s workforce in the years ahead.
Keicher was joined by Mark Batinick, senior fellow at the Illinois Policy Institute and former state representative, in highlighting concerns about long-term sustainability. “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.”
According to Keicher’s office, total enrollment in Illinois higher education has fallen about 29% since 2009—a loss of over 106,000 full-time students. The current state funding formula allocates money based on historical precedent rather than student demand. As a result, schools with growing enrollments—such as University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois-Chicago, and Illinois State University—have seen some of the largest declines in per-student state funding.
Batinick said: “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study will help identify cost drivers, improve transparency and ensure funding supports education results instead of outdated structures.” Despite serving fewer students overall, public universities in Illinois received $24,562 per full-time student in state funding in 2023—the second-highest nationwide—and more than double the national average. Meanwhile, average in-state tuition and fees have risen by 66% since 2009.
Supporters argue that House Bill 5037 would help lawmakers identify cost drivers within university budgets; improve accountability; develop strategies to make universities more adaptable; and better align higher education with workforce needs.
Keicher said: “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 was elected to represent Illinois’ 70th House District in 2018 after replacing Robert W. Pritchard according to Ballotpedia.
