Illinois State’s operating funds will increase 2% in FY25. Governor JB Pritzker signed the budget on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. The $1.5 million increase from FY24, as originally outlined in the Governor’s February 21, 2024 budget address, will provide Illinois State with a total general fund appropriation of $79.78 million for the coming fiscal year that begins July 1. The FY25 budget marks the third consecutive year of increased appropriations for all Illinois public higher education institutions. 

“Illinois State University is appreciative of the Illinois General Assembly and Governor for delivering a 2% increase in higher education operating appropriations,” said Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule. “This is a needed boost to help us keep pace with the cost of inflation. In addition to the Board of Trustees’ action to hold base tuition steady for the upcoming year, we will continue to advocate for future increased funding to meet our commitments of keeping Illinois State accessible and providing an enriching experience for our students.”

The budget also adds $10 million to the state’s Monetary Award Program (MAP), bringing the total MAP appropriation to $711 million and improving student access to financial aid across the state. Approximately 6,400 undergraduate students at Illinois State received MAP funding for the 23-24 academic year, totaling about $44 million. The additional MAP funds committed for FY25 are expected to assist even more underserved students at Illinois State this fall.

“Illinois State looks forward to upcoming productive conversations with state legislators moving into the next legislative session,” said Director of Public Affairs and Policy Brad Franke. “The University will continue to advocate for investment in higher education in Illinois and will actively pursue state funding and legislative initiatives that support and build on our successes.”

Changes to historic inequity in our per-student appropriation, reimbursement for unfunded state mandates, and funding for much needed deferred maintenance are other legislative priorities being pursued by Illinois State staff.