Bill Text: IL HR0355 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Declares an immediate Black student enrollment crisis in the State of Illinois until enrollment at its flagship University of Illinois and all other Illinois higher education institutions reach a suitable number of Black enrolled students. Urges all Illinois higher education institutions to immediately establish an office/department with ample personnel to specifically and aggressively work in the area of Black student recruitment, immediate enrollment, and scholarships. Urges the Governor to utilize his executive powers to immediately direct funds toward emergency enrollment outreach and completion programs for Black student enrollment increases at Illinois higher education institutions.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-03-20 - Assigned to Higher Education Committee [HR0355 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0355-Introduced.html

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HR0355 LRB103 32948 MST 62752 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Since 2013, Illinois Black student enrollment in
higher education has declined nearly 40%, and nationally,
Black student freshman enrollment has fallen nearly 18%; and
WHEREAS, At Illinois' flagship University of Illinois, the
Black student enrollment has declined annually since 1997, and
the current numbers of Black students are at an all time low;
and
WHEREAS, Many of the other higher education institutions
in Illinois and across the country have experienced severe
declines in Black student enrollment; and
WHEREAS, Communities populated by individuals with some
college experience and higher education completion enjoy
higher average household incomes, low unemployment, strong
homeownership, reduced crime, and overall community stability;
and
WHEREAS, Many Black communities in Illinois and the nation
now suffer from low average incomes, low homeownership, high
crime, and instability; the current trend of declining Black
student enrollment will exacerbate the current challenging
situation and eventually decimate the Black community; and

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WHEREAS, Student enrollment in higher education has
increased among other minority groups at Illinois
institutions, while Black student enrollment is steadily
declining; and
WHEREAS, False anti-higher education propaganda has
effectively infiltrated the Black community, masking the
benefits of higher education for developing young minds,
developing friendship, networking, and providing critical
information; and
WHEREAS, Jobs and careers in technology, the medical
field, and other industries continue to go unfilled while
affordable training and education for those careers are
available; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we declare a Black student enrollment crisis in the State of
Illinois until enrollment at our flagship University of
Illinois and all other Illinois higher education institutions
reach a suitable number of Black enrolled students; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That we urge all Illinois higher education

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institutions to immediately establish an office or department
with ample personnel to specifically and aggressively work in
the area of Black student recruitment, immediate enrollment,
and scholarships; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge the Governor to utilize his
executive powers to immediately direct funds toward emergency
enrollment outreach and completion programs for Black student
enrollment increases at Illinois higher education
institutions.