HB4192 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 15153 LNS 28297 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4192

Introduced 10/29/2025, by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 305/7f-5 new
110 ILCS 520/8f-5 new
110 ILCS 660/5-92 new
110 ILCS 665/10-90.5 new
110 ILCS 670/15-92 new
110 ILCS 675/20-92 new
110 ILCS 680/25-92 new
110 ILCS 685/30-92 new
110 ILCS 690/35-92 new

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that each academic year the board of trustees of each public university shall offer a full-tuition waiver for undergraduate education at any campus under the board's governance or supervision to any Illinois resident who: (i) was serving in the Illinois National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, or a Reserve Officers' Training Corps program related to any of these armed service branches and was relying on full-tuition or partial-tuition assistance to complete the person's undergraduate education; (ii) has been discharged from service, either forcibly or by being given the choice of voluntary discharge or forced discharge, due to changes in federal policy leading to that person's discharge for reasons unrelated to performance; and (iii) has lost that tuition assistance prior to completion of the person's undergraduate education. Provides that to be eligible to receive a waiver, the individual must: (i) apply for the waiver; (ii) provide documentary proof of service, of prior tuition assistance, and of discharge; and (iii) qualify for admission to the university under the same admission requirements, standards, and policies that the university applies to applicants for admission generally to the university's respective undergraduate colleges and programs. Provides that an eligible applicant who has continued to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation may have the individual's waiver renewed until the individual has expended 4 years of undergraduate full-tuition benefits. Requires the board to adopt rules as necessary for implementation and administration.

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 University of Illinois Act is amended by adding Section 7f-5 as follows:

(110 ILCS 305/7f-5 new)

Sec. 7f-5. Tuition waiver for armed service discharge.

(a) Each academic year the Board of Trustees shall offer a full-tuition waiver for undergraduate education at any campus under the Board's governance or supervision to any Illinois resident who: (i) was serving in the Illinois National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, or a Reserve Officers' Training Corps program related to any of these armed service branches and was relying on full-tuition or partial-tuition assistance to complete the person's undergraduate education; (ii) has been discharged from service, either forcibly or by being given the choice of voluntary discharge or forced discharge, due to changes in federal policy leading to that person's discharge for reasons unrelated to performance; and (iii) has lost that tuition assistance prior to completion of the person's undergraduate education.

To be eligible to receive a waiver under this Section, the individual must:

(1) apply for the waiver in a form and manner as set forth by the Board;

(2) provide documentary proof of service, of prior tuition assistance, and of discharge, whether voluntary or involuntary; and

(3) qualify for admission to the University under the same admission requirements, standards, and policies that the University applies to applicants for admission generally to the University's respective undergraduate colleges and programs.

(b) Subject to subsection (a), an eligible applicant who has continued to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation may have the individual's waiver renewed until the individual has expended 4 years of undergraduate full-tuition benefits under this Section.

(c) The Board shall adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer this Section.

Section 10. The Southern Illinois University Management Act is amended by adding Section 8f-5 as follows:

(110 ILCS 520/8f-5 new)

Sec. 8f-5. Tuition waiver for armed service discharge.

(a) Each academic year the Board shall offer a full-tuition waiver for undergraduate education at any campus under the Board's governance or supervision to any Illinois resident who: (i) was serving in the Illinois National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, or a Reserve Officers' Training Corps program related to any of these armed service branches and was relying on full-tuition or partial-tuition assistance to complete the person's undergraduate education; (ii) has been discharged from service, either forcibly or by being given the choice of voluntary discharge or forced discharge, due to changes in federal policy leading to that person's discharge for reasons unrelated to performance; and (iii) has lost that tuition assistance prior to completion of the person's undergraduate education.

To be eligible to receive a waiver under this Section, the individual must:

(1) apply for the waiver in a form and manner as set forth by the Board;

(2) provide documentary proof of service, of prior tuition assistance, and of discharge, whether voluntary or involuntary; and

(3) qualify for admission to the University under the same admission requirements, standards, and policies that the University applies to applicants for admission generally to the University's respective undergraduate colleges and programs.

(b) Subject to subsection (a), an eligible applicant who has continued to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation may have the individual's waiver renewed until the individual has expended 4 years of undergraduate full-tuition benefits under this Section.

(c) The Board shall adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer this Section.

Section 15. The Chicago State University Law is amended by adding Section 5-92 as follows:

(110 ILCS 660/5-92 new)

Sec. 5-92. Tuition waiver for armed service discharge.

(a) Each academic year the Board shall offer a full-tuition waiver for undergraduate education at any campus under the Board's governance or supervision to any Illinois resident who: (i) was serving in the Illinois National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, or a Reserve Officers' Training Corps program related to any of these armed service branches and was relying on full-tuition or partial-tuition assistance to complete the person's undergraduate education; (ii) has been discharged from service, either forcibly or by being given the choice of voluntary discharge or forced discharge, due to changes in federal policy leading to that person's discharge for reasons unrelated to performance; and (iii) has lost that tuition assistance prior to completion of the person's undergraduate education.

To be eligible to receive a waiver under this Section, the individual must:

(1) apply for the waiver in a form and manner as set forth by the Board;

(2) provide documentary proof of service, of prior tuition assistance, and of discharge, whether voluntary or involuntary; and

(3) qualify for admission to the University under the same admission requirements, standards, and policies that the University applies to applicants for admission generally to the University's respective undergraduate colleges and programs.

(b) Subject to subsection (a), an eligible applicant who has continued to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation may have the individual's waiver renewed until the individual has expended 4 years of undergraduate full-tuition benefits under this Section.

(c) The Board shall adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer this Section.

Section 20. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 10-90.5 as follows:

(110 ILCS 665/10-90.5 new)

Sec. 10-90.5. Tuition waiver for armed service discharge.

(a) Each academic year the Board shall offer a full-tuition waiver for undergraduate education at any campus under the Board's governance or supervision to any Illinois resident who: (i) was serving in the Illinois National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, or a Reserve Officers' Training Corps program related to any of these armed service branches and was relying on full-tuition or partial-tuition assistance to complete the person's undergraduate education; (ii) has been discharged from service, either forcibly or by being given the choice of voluntary discharge or forced discharge, due to changes in federal policy leading to that person's discharge for reasons unrelated to performance; and (iii) has lost that tuition assistance prior to completion of the person's undergraduate education.

To be eligible to receive a waiver under this Section, the individual must:

(1) apply for the waiver in a form and manner as set forth by the Board;

(2) provide documentary proof of service, of prior tuition assistance, and of discharge, whether voluntary or involuntary; and

(3) qualify for admission to the University under the same admission requirements, standards, and policies that the University applies to applicants for admission generally to the University's respective undergraduate colleges and programs.

(b) Subject to subsection (a), an eligible applicant who has continued to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation may have the individual's waiver renewed until the individual has expended 4 years of undergraduate full-tuition benefits under this Section.

(c) The Board shall adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer this Section.

Section 25. The Governors State University Law is amended by adding Section 15-92 as follows:

(110 ILCS 670/15-92 new)

Sec. 15-92. Tuition waiver for armed service discharge.

(a) Each academic year the Board shall offer a full-tuition waiver for undergraduate education at any campus under the Board's governance or supervision to any Illinois resident who: (i) was serving in the Illinois National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, or a Reserve Officers' Training Corps program related to any of these armed service branches and was relying on full-tuition or partial-tuition assistance to complete the person's undergraduate education; (ii) has been discharged from service, either forcibly or by being given the choice of voluntary discharge or forced discharge, due to changes in federal policy leading to that person's discharge for reasons unrelated to performance; and (iii) has lost that tuition assistance prior to completion of the person's undergraduate education.

To be eligible to receive a waiver under this Section, the individual must:

(1) apply for the waiver in a form and manner as set forth by the Board;

(2) provide documentary proof of service, of prior tuition assistance, and of discharge, whether voluntary or involuntary; and

(3) qualify for admission to the University under the same admission requirements, standards, and policies that the University applies to applicants for admission generally to the University's respective undergraduate colleges and programs.

(b) Subject to subsection (a), an eligible applicant who has continued to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation may have the individual's waiver renewed until the individual has expended 4 years of undergraduate full-tuition benefits under this Section.

(c) The Board shall adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer this Section.

Section 30. The Illinois State University Law is amended by adding Section 20-92 as follows:

(110 ILCS 675/20-92 new)

Sec. 20-92. Tuition waiver for armed service discharge.

(a) Each academic year the Board shall offer a full-tuition waiver for undergraduate education at any campus under the Board's governance or supervision to any Illinois resident who: (i) was serving in the Illinois National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, or a Reserve Officers' Training Corps program related to any of these armed service branches and was relying on full-tuition or partial-tuition assistance to complete the person's undergraduate education; (ii) has been discharged from service, either forcibly or by being given the choice of voluntary discharge or forced discharge, due to changes in federal policy leading to that person's discharge for reasons unrelated to performance; and (iii) has lost that tuition assistance prior to completion of the person's undergraduate education.

To be eligible to receive a waiver under this Section, the individual must:

(1) apply for the waiver in a form and manner as set forth by the Board;

(2) provide documentary proof of service, of prior tuition assistance, and of discharge, whether voluntary or involuntary; and

(3) qualify for admission to the University under the same admission requirements, standards, and policies that the University applies to applicants for admission generally to the University's respective undergraduate colleges and programs.

(b) Subject to subsection (a), an eligible applicant who has continued to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation may have the individual's waiver renewed until the individual has expended 4 years of undergraduate full-tuition benefits under this Section.

(c) The Board shall adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer this Section.

Section 35. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 25-92 as follows:

(110 ILCS 680/25-92 new)

Sec. 25-92. Tuition waiver for armed service discharge.

(a) Each academic year the Board shall offer a full-tuition waiver for undergraduate education at any campus under the Board's governance or supervision to any Illinois resident who: (i) was serving in the Illinois National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, or a Reserve Officers' Training Corps program related to any of these armed service branches and was relying on full-tuition or partial-tuition assistance to complete the person's undergraduate education; (ii) has been discharged from service, either forcibly or by being given the choice of voluntary discharge or forced discharge, due to changes in federal policy leading to that person's discharge for reasons unrelated to performance; and (iii) has lost that tuition assistance prior to completion of the person's undergraduate education.

To be eligible to receive a waiver under this Section, the individual must:

(1) apply for the waiver in a form and manner as set forth by the Board;

(2) provide documentary proof of service, of prior tuition assistance, and of discharge, whether voluntary or involuntary; and

(3) qualify for admission to the University under the same admission requirements, standards, and policies that the University applies to applicants for admission generally to the University's respective undergraduate colleges and programs.

(b) Subject to subsection (a), an eligible applicant who has continued to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation may have the individual's waiver renewed until the individual has expended 4 years of undergraduate full-tuition benefits under this Section.

(c) The Board shall adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer this Section.

Section 40. The Northern Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 30-92 as follows:

(110 ILCS 685/30-92 new)

Sec. 30-92. Tuition waiver for armed service discharge.

(a) Each academic year the Board shall offer a full-tuition waiver for undergraduate education at any campus under the Board's governance or supervision to any Illinois resident who: (i) was serving in the Illinois National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, or a Reserve Officers' Training Corps program related to any of these armed service branches and was relying on full-tuition or partial-tuition assistance to complete the person's undergraduate education; (ii) has been discharged from service, either forcibly or by being given the choice of voluntary discharge or forced discharge, due to changes in federal policy leading to that person's discharge for reasons unrelated to performance; and (iii) has lost that tuition assistance prior to completion of the person's undergraduate education.

To be eligible to receive a waiver under this Section, the individual must:

(1) apply for the waiver in a form and manner as set forth by the Board;

(2) provide documentary proof of service, of prior tuition assistance, and of discharge, whether voluntary or involuntary; and

(3) qualify for admission to the University under the same admission requirements, standards, and policies that the University applies to applicants for admission generally to the University's respective undergraduate colleges and programs.

(b) Subject to subsection (a), an eligible applicant who has continued to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation may have the individual's waiver renewed until the individual has expended 4 years of undergraduate full-tuition benefits under this Section.

(c) The Board shall adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer this Section.

Section 45. The Western Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 35-92 as follows:

(110 ILCS 690/35-92 new)

Sec. 35-92. Tuition waiver for armed service discharge.

(a) Each academic year the Board shall offer a full-tuition waiver for undergraduate education at any campus under the Board's governance or supervision to any Illinois resident who: (i) was serving in the Illinois National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, or a Reserve Officers' Training Corps program related to any of these armed service branches and was relying on full-tuition or partial-tuition assistance to complete the person's undergraduate education; (ii) has been discharged from service, either forcibly or by being given the choice of voluntary discharge or forced discharge, due to changes in federal policy leading to that person's discharge for reasons unrelated to performance; and (iii) has lost that tuition assistance prior to completion of the person's undergraduate education.

To be eligible to receive a waiver under this Section, the individual must:

(1) apply for the waiver in a form and manner as set forth by the Board;

(2) provide documentary proof of service, of prior tuition assistance, and of discharge, whether voluntary or involuntary; and

(3) qualify for admission to the University under the same admission requirements, standards, and policies that the University applies to applicants for admission generally to the University's respective undergraduate colleges and programs.

(b) Subject to subsection (a), an eligible applicant who has continued to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation may have the individual's waiver renewed until the individual has expended 4 years of undergraduate full-tuition benefits under this Section.

(c) The Board shall adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer this Section.