New State Budget Provides Continued Support For Higher Education

To the members of the University of Illinois System community,

I’m pleased to report that the Illinois General Assembly has approved and Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The spending plan includes a 1% increase in general operating support for the U of I System and other public universities.

It provides a $748.7 million operating budget for the U of I System in FY 2027.

We are also grateful to Gov. Pritzker for the state’s release of additional operating funds appropriated for the current fiscal year, FY ’26. These funds, which provide a 2% increase in the current operating budget, were approved by the General Assembly but initially withheld by the state government as it faced financial uncertainties. The release of this additional $12.9 million helps offset inflation costs from the past year and supports student-success initiatives and technology infrastructure.

Each year our elected officials face difficult decisions across many urgent needs, and this year was especially challenging. We are fortunate to have the support of Gov. Pritzker and others in the General Assembly who understand the importance of public higher education in delivering brighter futures for people throughout the state.

Also in the new state budget, the Monetary Award Program will continue at its current funding level of about $721.6 million. MAP is the state’s primary vehicle for providing financial aid to college students.

With the state budget complete, the Board of Trustees can now finalize a systemwide budget, which we'll present in September. As in the past, we will begin our new fiscal year with a previously approved temporary budget.

Thank you all for everything you do, every day, to support our students and this world-class university system. Your work truly is making a difference.

Sincerely,  

Tim Killeen, President
 University of Illinois System