House Bill 5093 was signed in Illinois toward the end of June. It allows any student who has completed at least three years of high school in the state to be eligible for in-state tuition, reports Campus Reform. They will be eligible for resident tuition rates even if they now reside outside the state before enrolling.
State Sen. Celina Villanueva (D) said the legislation is intended to benefit illegal aliens and transgender-identifying students.
However, State Sen. Sue Rezin (R) says that the legislation "stretches the definition of Illinois residency and expands taxpayer-subsidized tuition benefits to individuals who may no longer live in Illinois, including some noncitizens."
Will Biagini, assistant editor of Campus Reform, says that this new law is completely unfair to taxpayers and Illinois students alike.
“I think it's demoralizing for American students and their families, who put hard work in and work hard to achieve success, and they see government handouts to people who break the law and cut them in line,” Biagini says.
According to data from the Educational Data Initiative, Illinois' in-state tuition and fees were the second highest in the Midwest and ninth in the nation in 2025.
Biagini calls it an "issue of fairness" to see American students work hard and not be prioritized over illegal immigrants, who now get the benefit of in-state tuition. He calls for states across the nation to follow the state of Florida's lead, as they move to prohibit illegal aliens from enrolling in any public university in their state.
“That's an example that we need to set across the country. We need to say as a country that if you jump the line and enter into our great nation illegally, you're not going to be rewarded for doing so. I mean that's a crime.” Biagini says.
The Democrat Pritzker has long been known for his left-leaning laws and policies. In 2025, he proclaimed March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility, which highlights Illinois’ protection of transgender rights. Later that same year, he also signed legislation that didn’t allow federal immigration enforcement near courthouses, hospitals, universities campuses and day cares.
