Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB3070

LRB104 18781 LNS 32224 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB3070

Introduced 1/28/2026, by Sen. Willie Preston

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/27-605	was 105 ILCS 5/27-22
110 ILCS 305/8	from Ch. 144, par. 29
110 ILCS 520/8e	from Ch. 144, par. 658e
110 ILCS 660/5-85
110 ILCS 665/10-85
110 ILCS 670/15-85
110 ILCS 675/20-85
110 ILCS 680/25-85
110 ILCS 685/30-85
110 ILCS 690/35-85

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade beginning with the 2028-2029 school year must successfully complete either 2 years of foreign language courses or at least 2 years of career-focused coursework that has been authorized by the State Board of Education as meeting the requirements for a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act (rather than requiring the successful completion of 2 years of foreign language courses). Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that a public university may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the university permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section 27-605 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-605) (was 105 ILCS 5/27-22)

Sec. 27-605. Required high school courses.

(a) (Blank).

(b) (Blank).

(c) (Blank).

(d) (Blank).

(e) Through the 2023-2024 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:

(1) Four years of language arts.

(2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science course. A mathematics course that includes geometry content may be offered as an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education course that prepares a student for a career readiness path.

(3.5) For pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2022-2023 school year and 2023-2024 school year, one year of a course that includes intensive instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and which may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(4) Two years of science.

(5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government and, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2016-2017 school year and each school year thereafter, at least one semester must be civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. Beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year, one semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial literacy course.

(6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C) foreign language, which shall be deemed to include American Sign Language, (D) vocational education, or (E) forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech course used to satisfy the course requirement under subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course requirement under this subdivision (6).

(e-5) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:

(1) Four years of language arts.

(2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. If applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science course. A mathematics course that includes geometry content may be offered as an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education course that prepares a student for a career readiness path.

(3.5) One year of a course that includes intensive instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and which may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(4) Two years of laboratory science.

(5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government and at least one semester must be civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. One semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial literacy course.

(6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C) foreign language, which shall be deemed to include American Sign Language, (D) career and technical education, or (E) forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech course used to satisfy the course requirement under subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course requirement under this subdivision (6).

(e-10) Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete either (i) 2 years of foreign language courses, which may include American Sign Language, or (ii) at least 2 years of career-focused coursework that has been authorized by the State Board of Education as meeting the requirements for a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. A pupil may choose a third year of foreign language to satisfy the requirement under subdivision (6) of subsection (e-5).

(f) The State Board of Education shall develop and inform school districts of standards for writing-intensive coursework.

(f-5) If a school district offers an Advanced Placement computer science course to high school students, then the school board must designate that course as equivalent to a high school mathematics course and must denote on the student's transcript that the Advanced Placement computer science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of this Section.

(g) Public Act 83-1082 does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in 1983-1984 school year and prior school years or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

Public Act 94-676 does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

Subdivision (3.5) of subsection (e) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

Subsection (e-5) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2023-2024 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program. Subsection (e-10) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2027-2028 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

(h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the provisions of Sections 14A-32 and 27-610 of this Code and the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.

(i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.

(Source: P.A. 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-743, eff. 8-2-24; 104-387, eff. 8-15-25; 104-391, eff. 8-15-25; revised 9-24-25.)

Section 10. 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); and .

(4) except that the University may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the University permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.

(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. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 15. 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); and .

(4) except that the University may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the University permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.

(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. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 20. 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); and .

(4) except that Chicago State University may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the University permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.

(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. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 25. 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); and .

(4) except that Eastern Illinois University may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the University permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.

(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. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 30. 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); and .

(4) except that Governors State University may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the University permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.

(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. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 35. 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); and .

(4) except that Illinois State University may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the University permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.

(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. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 40. 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); and .

(4) except that Northeastern Illinois University may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the University permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.

(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. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 45. 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); and .

(4) except that Northern Illinois University may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the University permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.

(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. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 50. 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); and .

(4) except that Western Illinois University may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the University permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.

(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. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.