Welch, House Democrats Expand Access to Higher Education with New College Direct Admissions Program

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local students will have greater opportunity to earn a college degree under a new law backed by Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch and House Democrats, creating a new direct admissions program to help qualified young people earn automatic entry into state schools.

“Throughout my service on our local school board, on our state’s top education committees, and now as Speaker of the House, I’ve worked to expand access to a world-class education, because education opens doors to a bright future,” Welch said. “This legislation is about ensuring that our best and brightest young people see those doors open for them, and that opportunity is never denied by application fees and red tape.” 

Welch and Assistant Majority Leader Katie Stuart helped pass House Bill 3522, which creates a direct admissions program for academically-qualified high school seniors and community college transfer students. Admissions standards would be set by universities, and eligible students would be automatically notified of their guaranteed acceptance and have their application fees waived. Participating universities include:

  • Chicago State University

  • Eastern Illinois University

  • Governors State University

  • Illinois State University

  • Northeastern Illinois University

  • Northern Illinois University

  • Southern Illinois University

  • University of Illinois Springfield

  • Western Illinois University

“This direct admissions program is putting students first by offering qualified high school and community college students automatic admission to the great public universities and community colleges across our state,” said Stuart. “This program is offering amazing new opportunities to students who may not have known that higher education is an option for them and that it's an option right here in their home state. Through this program, we are easing the stressful college application process for our students and encouraging them to continue their education at one of the many great public universities in Illinois.”

House Bill 3522 passed with bipartisan support and is expected to be signed by the governor. Students entering college for the 2027-28 academic year would be the first to benefit.

 
Andrea Garcia