Statement: Equitable Funding Bill Introduction

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Today, we were proud to join the Coalition on Transforming Higher Education Funding, as well as policymakers, universities, faculty, and others, to mark the introduction of SB 3965, the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act. This legislation represents the next step toward an Illinois public university funding approach that focuses on ensuring institutions have the funding they need to serve the students they have, building adequacy, equity, stability, accountability, and transparency into the process.

Alongside the legislative co-chairs of the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding, Leader Kimberly Lightford and Representative Carol Ammons, the Coalition hosted a press conference and roundtable event to share information about the bill and hear from community members. Women Employed’s President and CEO, Cherita Ellens, moderated the expert panel, which helped provide context for the Commission’s recommendations, the bill, and what comes next.

Women Employed’s Cherita Ellens moderates an expert panel on equitable funding for Illinois’ public universities, featuring Dr. Jennifer Juarez of the Latino Policy Forum, Ralph Martire of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, President Dr. Cheryl Green of Governors State University, Ginger Ostro of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and Representative Carol Ammons.

Equitable funding for public universities is critical to closing gaps in access and achievement for Illinois’ students of color. Women Employed has been honored to join our partners in this work, and we are committed to advocating for passage of this legislation.

Read more about the effort to transform higher education funding here.