HB4386 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 17506 LNS 30933 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4386

Introduced 1/14/2026, by Rep. Jed Davis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Online Degree Pathway Pilot Program Act. Establishes the Online Degree Pathway Pilot Program to provide a single, unified, online bachelor's degree program culminating in a degree conferred by a participating university. Provides that application for admission to the Pathway Program shall begin on March 15, 2027 for the 2027-2028 academic year. Provides that the University of Illinois shall serve as the primary degree-granting institution for the Pathway Program. Provides that a student enrolled in any of grades 9 through 12 in a public or nonpublic school is eligible to enroll in dual enrollment courses at any public community college. Provides that credit earned under the Pathway Program or through dual enrollment shall transfer automatically and apply fully toward a bachelor's degree curriculum. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall develop statewide articulation maps ensuring full alignment among community college courses and university upper-division courses. Prohibits a public university or State agency from circumventing or attempting to circumvent the Act through certain actions. Requires the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to jointly submit an annual report to the General Assembly. Grants joint rulemaking authority to the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board. Repeals the Act 5 years after the effective date of the Act. Contains a severability clause, and makes other changes. Effective immediately.

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT 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 Online Degree Pathway Pilot Program Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to establish a pilot program for a unified, statewide, low-cost, bachelor's degree pathway that eliminates transfer barriers, reduces tuition costs, expands dual-enrollment opportunities, and provides students in this State with a seamless route from high school to bachelor's degree completion. This Act promotes affordability, access, and workforce readiness without increasing the financial burden on taxpayers.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Community college tuition rate" means the in-district, per-credit-hour tuition rate charged by a public community college in this State.

"Dual enrollment course" means a community college course taken by a high school student under Section 25 that confers both high school and college credit.

"Participating university" means the University of Illinois or any other public university designated by the Board of Higher Education to confer degrees under this Act.

"Pathway Program" means the Online Degree Pathway Pilot Program established in Section 15.

"Seamless transfer" means automatic acceptance and application of credit without reevaluation, reclassification, or additional requirements.

Section 15. Statewide online degree pathway established.

(a) The Online Degree Pathway Pilot Program is established to provide a single, unified, online bachelor's degree program culminating in a degree conferred by a participating university.

(b) Application for admission to the Pathway Program shall begin on March 15, 2027 for the 2027-2028 academic year. The Illinois Community College Board shall receive and consider applications for admittance to the Pathway Program.

(c) The Pathway Program shall consist of:

(1) 60 credit hours completed through any public community college in this State; and

(2) 60 credit hours completed through a participating university, delivered online.

(d) All coursework within the Pathway Program shall be prealigned through statewide curriculum agreements.

(e) No transfer application, credit reevaluation, or additional prerequisites may be imposed on a student participating in the Pathway Program.

(f) A student shall pay one tuition rate, equal to the community college tuition rate, for all 120 credit hours in the Pathway Program, regardless of whether coursework is delivered by a community college or a participating university.

(g) No more than 2,000 students may be accepted into the Pathway Program annually.

Section 20. Degree-granting authority.

(a) The University of Illinois shall serve as the primary degree-granting institution for the Pathway Program.

(b) The Board of Higher Education may authorize additional public universities to confer degrees under this Act.

(c) All coursework completed through the Pathway Program shall apply fully toward a bachelor's degree without reevaluation.

Section 25. Dual enrollment.

(a) A student enrolled in any of grades 9 through 12 in a public or nonpublic school in this State is eligible to enroll in dual enrollment courses at any public community college in this State.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the Illinois Community College Board shall pay the full community college tuition rate for up to 30 semester credit hours of dual enrollment courses for each eligible student.

(c) Courses taken under this Section shall apply toward:

(1) high school graduation requirements; and

(2) the first 60 credit hours of the Pathway Program.

(d) A participating university shall accept all dual enrollment credit earned under this Section without a reevaluation or reduction of credit.

(e) A student may exceed 30 credit hours under this Section at the student's own expense or through locally negotiated agreements.

(f) Dual enrollment tuition payments under subsection (b) of this Section apply only to students participating in the Pathway Program and count toward the Pathway Program's annual enrollment cap under subsection (g) of Section 15.

Section 30. Seamless transfer mandate.

(a) Credit earned under the Pathway Program or through dual enrollment shall transfer automatically and apply fully toward a bachelor's degree curriculum.

(b) No public university may:

(1) deny a transfer of credit;

(2) require a reevaluation of credit;

(3) impose additional prerequisites; or

(4) require duplicative coursework.

(c) Any violation of this Section is void and without effect.

Section 35. Curriculum alignment.

(a) The Board of Higher Education shall develop statewide articulation maps ensuring full alignment among community college courses and university upper-division courses.

(b) No public university may independently alter curriculum requirements in a manner that undermines or increases the cost of the Pathway Program.

Section 40. Anti-circumvention. No public university or State agency may circumvent or attempt to circumvent this Act by:

(1) adopting internal policies that impose above-baseline requirements;

(2) reclassifying courses to prevent transfer;

(3) creating duplicative or remedial requirements; or

(4) imposing fees, surcharges, or administrative barriers on Pathway Program students.

Any such action is void ab initio.

Section 45. Reporting. On or before March 15, 2028 and each year thereafter, the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board shall jointly submit a report to the General Assembly summarizing:

(1) the number of students participating in the Pathway Program;

(2) the number of dual enrollment credits earned;

(3) student cost savings compared to traditional pathways;

(4) systemwide transfer compliance; and

(5) recommendations for program improvement.

Section 90. Rulemaking. The Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board may jointly adopt any rules necessary to implement this Act.

Section 95. Repealer. This Act is repealed 5 years after the effective date of this Act.

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

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