As part of the recently approved state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly authorized an increase in funding for the University of Illinois System. The new budget allocates $710.6 million to the system, a 1.8% increase from the current fiscal year.
In a press release published on Friday, University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen expressed gratitude for the increased funding, highlighting the importance of state support.
“We recognize and appreciate Gov. Pritzker’s and the General Assembly’s challenges in addressing needs on a variety of fronts, and we are immensely grateful for their continued support of higher education,” Killeen wrote.
Included in the total state budget is an increase in funding for the Monetary Award Program, the state’s primary student financial aid program. MAP funding will rise to $711.6 million, a $10 million, or 1.4% increase compared to the current fiscal year. This program provides financial aid to nearly 22,000 students across the University system’s campuses in Champaign-Urbana, Springfield and Chicago.
Killeen highlighted the importance of MAP, noting, “About 80% of the U of I System’s undergraduate students are from the state of Illinois, and MAP is an important resource for many of them and their families.”
The budget also significantly increases funding for campus mental health services, more than doubling the current amount from $3.4 million to $7 million. This boost aims to address the growing need for mental health resources among students.
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Support for veterans and National Guard members has also increased, with $6 million allocated to restore funding for their education, seeking to prevent financial barriers from hindering these individuals from pursuing higher education.
Additionally, the Prairie Research Institute, which conducts scientific inquiry in various fields such as natural history, archaeology, geology and sustainable technology will receive a $200,000 increase in its operations funding. This marks a 1.3% increase from the current year’s $15.2 million budget.
To address infrastructure needs, the budget allocates $575 million for deferred maintenance and construction at higher education facilities. This includes $450 million for state universities and $125 million for state community colleges, aiming to complete key projects under the state’s Rebuild Illinois program.
The University system’s current fiscal year budget breakdown can be viewed here. More details regarding the state’s 2025 fiscal year budget are available here.
