State Representative Regan Deering of Decatur has introduced legislation that would change how tuition and financial aid benefits are handled for non-citizens in Illinois’ public colleges and universities.

House Bill 4097 aims to ensure that non-citizens do not receive tuition rates or financial aid benefits that are greater than those available to U.S. citizens. The measure is intended to prevent situations where out-of-state students from neighboring states pay higher costs than some non-citizens under current policy.

Supporters of the proposal argue that it is designed to restore fairness in higher education funding and to align state practices with federal law. Opponents of similar measures in the past have noted that they can impact access to higher education for immigrant and undocumented students.

The bill is currently filed in the Illinois House of Representatives. More information is available at ilga.gov.