HB2691 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 07754 AXK 52803 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB2691

Introduced , by Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act. Provides for legislative findings and a definition. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a student attending an institution of higher learning in this State who is deemed an Illinois resident for tuition purposes and is not otherwise eligible to receive federal financial aid shall be eligible to apply or receive consideration for State financial aid, including any student aid or benefit funded or administered by the State, a State agency, or any public institution of higher learning, including, but not limited to, scholarships, grants, awards, stipends, free room and board, tuition waivers, or other financial or in-kind assistance.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly makes all of the following findings:

(1) The State of Illinois is committed to ensuring that all students who are residents of this State have meaningful and equitable access to higher education opportunities notwithstanding the student's race, color, gender or gender identity, age, ancestry, marital status, military status, religion, pregnancy, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, order of protection status, as defined under Section 1-103 of the Illinois Human Rights Act, or immigration status.

(2) The State of Illinois is committed to retaining Illinois students who wish to attend institutions of higher learning in this State by addressing financial barriers for those students.

Section 10. Definition. In this Act, "Illinois resident" includes any person who is deemed an Illinois resident for tuition purposes under State law.

Section 15. Equitable eligibility for financial aid.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a student attending an institution of higher learning in this State who is an Illinois resident and is not otherwise eligible to receive federal financial aid for students is eligible to apply or receive consideration for State financial aid for students, including any student aid or benefit funded or administered by the State, a State agency, or any public institution of higher learning, including, but not limited to, scholarships, grants, awards, stipends, free room and board, tuition waivers, or other financial or in-kind assistance.

(b) The General Assembly finds and declares that this Section is a State law within the meaning of subsection (d) of Section 1621 of Title 8 of the United States Code.

Section 97. Severability. The provisions of this Act are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.