Illinois State University President Endorses Evidence-Based Funding Formula Passed by House Committee
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Aondover Tarhule, the Illinois State University president, joined seven other university leaders in backing an overhaul of state higher education funding. They signed a joint letter supporting an evidence-based funding formula approved by a House committee on March 26, 2026.
What the proposal would do
The bill would establish an evidence-based funding formula for public universities. It mirrors formulas the state adopted for K-12 districts in 2017.
Supporters say the plan would add $135 million each year for the next 15 years. They call the change a path toward fairer and more predictable funding.
Supporters’ case
The university presidents argued the formula would stabilize budgets across campuses. They said steadier funding could relieve tuition pressure and support recruitment.
Advocates added that better funding should improve student outcomes and graduation rates. They also cited potential gains in local economic investment.
Union testimony and campus reality
Christy Borders, a professor in ISU’s College of Education, spoke for the University Professionals of Illinois union. She testified at the Appropriations-Higher Education committee in Springfield on March 26, 2026.
Borders said Illinois State has seen record enrollment yet remains in financial crisis. She warned that institutions cannot simply enroll their way out of chronic underfunding.
She added that some colleges have cut programs due to budget shortfalls. Borders noted the proposal would raise dollar totals for every university.
Opposition and concerns
The measure failed to advance in the Senate last year. The University of Illinois System mounted heavy opposition then and remains critical now.
Nicholas Jones, executive vice president of the University of Illinois System, said the system supports evidence-based funding in principle. He argued the current proposal redistributes dollars in ways that could under-resource the state’s strongest public universities.
Jones warned that with flat or reduced overall funding, the plan could worsen inequities. He pointed out the system covers three campuses, so cuts at one campus affect all three.
Budget context
The tight state budget increased higher education funding by only 1 percent this year. Educators say that rise has not kept pace with inflation.
The University of Illinois System calls for larger overall higher education investments. Its leaders want to avoid funding reductions to their campuses as other universities receive bigger adequacy gaps.
Legislative outlook
House Republicans on the committee opposed the bill. They urged institutions to find internal savings and to boost recruitment instead.
Democratic State Rep. Sharon Chung voted to advance the measure. The bill now moves to the full House for further consideration.
Filmogaz.com will continue to follow developments as the proposal proceeds through the General Assembly.
