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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Since 2013, Illinois Black student enrollment in
3higher education has declined nearly 40%, and nationally,
4Black student freshman enrollment has fallen nearly 18%; and
 
5    WHEREAS, At Illinois' flagship University of Illinois, the
6Black student enrollment has declined annually since 1997, and
7the current numbers of Black students are at an all time low;
8and
 
9    WHEREAS, Many of the other higher education institutions
10in Illinois and across the country have experienced severe
11declines in Black student enrollment; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Communities populated by individuals with some
13college experience and higher education completion enjoy
14higher average household incomes, low unemployment, strong
15homeownership, reduced crime, and overall community stability;
16and
 
17    WHEREAS, Many Black communities in Illinois and the nation
18now suffer from low average incomes, low homeownership, high
19crime, and instability; the current trend of declining Black
20student enrollment will exacerbate the current challenging
21situation and eventually decimate the Black community; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Student enrollment in higher education has
2increased among other minority groups at Illinois
3institutions, while Black student enrollment is steadily
4declining; and
 
5    WHEREAS, False anti-higher education propaganda has
6effectively infiltrated the Black community, masking the
7benefits of higher education for developing young minds,
8developing friendship, networking, and providing critical
9information; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Jobs and careers in technology, the medical
11field, and other industries continue to go unfilled while
12affordable training and education for those careers are
13available; therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
15HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
16we declare a Black student enrollment crisis in the State of
17Illinois until enrollment at our flagship University of
18Illinois and all other Illinois higher education institutions
19reach a suitable number of Black enrolled students; and be it
20further
 
21    RESOLVED, That we urge all Illinois higher education

 

 

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1institutions to immediately establish an office or department
2with ample personnel to specifically and aggressively work in
3the area of Black student recruitment, immediate enrollment,
4and scholarships; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That we urge the Governor to utilize his
6executive powers to immediately direct funds toward emergency
7enrollment outreach and completion programs for Black student
8enrollment increases at Illinois higher education
9institutions.