FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2025
Contact: Kate Londen
(972) 510-3395 | Kate.Londen@younginvincibles.org
Governor Pritzker Proposes Investments in Students and Young Workers, Faces Opportunities for Long-Term Impact
(Chicago, IL) – This week, Governor J.B. Pritzker delivered his State of the State Address to the General Assembly and showcased his commitment to supporting young adults across Illinois by investing into public education to improve accessibility and affordability, fighting for expansive and affordable healthcare that includes mental health services, and establishing new workforce pipelines.
Pritzker highlighted the importance of continuing to make Illinois more affordable for Illinoisains and especially in a time where federal tactics of slashing funds and imposing tariffs are impacting the lives of those across the state. The time is now to continue to grow investments into making college more affordable, support systems to help students reach graduation, and equitable workforce programs that assist young adults entering the workforce.
In his proposed budget, the Governor noted that he would like to see $10 million additional funding be allocated to our statewide Monetary Award Program (MAP) bringing it to a total of $721 million investment, and $13 million into the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act (MHEACA) for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Young Invincibles is pleased to see the continued commitment to higher education and our young students from Governor Prtizker, however this is not enough.
In order to keep in line with Illinois’ commitment of investing $1 billion into MAP by 2031, Illinois must appropriate an additional $50 million for FY2026. It is essential that Illinois keeps funding MAP to meet this funding goal, MAP makes college affordable at a time when the price of college keeps going up. However, we must also ensure that we are providing the needed resources to help students reach graduation.
The MHEACA provides additional funding to public colleges to serve the mental health needs of their student body. These dollars can be utilized to employ needed counselors and support staff, establish new mental health services such as peer support programs, or implement new screening tools for the well being of students. The continued $13 million proposed budget for MHEACA falls short of the estimated cost of $23.5 million to fully implement this Act at public 2 and 4 year colleges. In order to make the necessary strides to meet the needs of our young people wanting to receive a college degree, we must fully fund the systems that they need to afford and complete their education.
These proposed investments are pieces to making sure Illinois is a good option for students to study, graduate, and work. Lasting and permanent impact would result in an adequate and equitable funding formula for Illinois’ 4 year public colleges. Legislation has been introduced under SB13 and HB1581. The proposed model would ensure that there would be consistent funding every year for colleges and additional funding would be directed to colleges that are furthest away from adequacy. YI encourages the Governor’s office to support the legislative and negotiations process currently happening in the general assembly.
Illinois has made significant strides towards fiscal and economic health under Governor Pritzker and the leadership of our state legislators, we look forward to working with elected officials, stakeholders, and community members to advance our policy agenda for young adults throughout the 104th General Assembly.
Erick Deshaun Dorris, Midwest Regional Director at Young Invincibles said:
“Illinois continues to make investments in young adults, both as students and young professionals. Young Invincibles urges the Governors’ office and our legislators to continue leading in this work through innovative workforce and education programs and supports. It is time for Illinois to invest in the next generation.”
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Young Invincibles (YI) is a national advocacy and policy nonprofit organization focused on amplifying the voice of young people in the political process at the local, state, and federal levels. YI focuses on issues impacting young adults ages 18 to 34 in higher education, health care, economic security, and civic engagement. Our offices include Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas. For more information, please contact Emma Bittner at (972) 510-3395 or emma.bittner@younginvincibles.org