Adequate, stable funding a benefit to “every community, region, and student” across the State
(Charleston, IL) – Top Eastern Illinois University leaders are lending their strong, collective support to a modernized appropriations model they believe will provide more adequate, stable funding for all of Illinois’ public universities.
“The proposed formula funding model represents a historic and strategic investment in higher education,” confirmed EIU President Jay Gatrell. “Most importantly, the pending legislation’s formula funding model focuses on funding adequacy and making college more affordable for all of Illinois’ students.”
According to available public data, Illinois public universities are responsible for a combined economic impact exceeding $20 billion for the State, and the formal preparation of nearly 125,000 four-year and advanced-degree graduates for upcoming careers across an assortment of skilled industries and professional sectors each year.
As background, the Illinois legislature convened a Commission in 2021 tasked with providing Illinois’ public universities a more contemporary, data-driven formula for public university funding. The Commission’s report, released in March 2024, established adequacy funding targets and focuses on affordability for all students. Based on the final report and the leadership of the Commission, pending legislation (SB13 and HB1581) seeks to codify the formula funding framework in statute.
“I am grateful to the Commission’s leadership—Senator Lightford, Representative Ammons, Chair Kothari, Deputy Governor Torres, and the entire Commission for positioning Illinois’ higher education system to fully fund one of the State’s engines of social mobility and economic advancement— its universities. For that reason, the formula is good for Illinois and EIU.”
Gatrell noted that adequacy as a core standard was adopted for Illinois’ public K-12 institutions in 2017. Applying similar foundational principles to the State’s public universities is an approach he and other EIU leaders are confident will enhance accessibility and expand student opportunity. Further, EIU leaders feel the revised funding model will amplify higher education’s positive and proven economic impacts throughout—and even beyond—the Land of Lincoln.
“Formula-based funding that emphasizes affordability, transparency, and adequate funding for all campuses is overdue,” added EIU Vice President for Business Affairs Matt Bierman. “The recommendations detailed in the Commission’s report will position Illinois’ higher education system for enhanced efficiency and efficacy. Similarly, such a funding shift would allow each institution to create innovative, and data-informed solutions specific and unique to their own dynamic needs. That inherent flexibility will directly benefit every community, region, and most importantly—every student— across the State.”
More information on the Commission’s work, including the Commission’s full recommendations report, is available on the Illinois Board of Higher Education website at ibhe.org.
For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU’s other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.
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EIU prepares its students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU’s other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.