PEORIA, IL-(Effingham Radio)-Gov. Rauner signed legislation today that improves post-secondary education opportunities by allowing high school students to enroll in an unlimited number of dual credit courses in which they can earn both high school and college credits. The courses, whether taken in class or online, must be taught by instructors who are in compliance with the Dual Credit Quality Act.
“This legislation will help give students greater access to higher education,” Rauner said. “Earning college credit in high school may mean completing college in less time and that, in turn, could significantly lessen the financial burden for students and their families. It could also hasten General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) completion and entry to community colleges.”
The new law is another step toward the administration’s objective of improving access to education to help students prepare for the 21st century economy. Cost is a major deterrent. A 2017 survey by the Institute for Higher Education Policy estimated that 70 percent of U.S. colleges are unaffordable for low- and middle-income families who are unwilling or unable to take out loans.
SB 2527 amends the School Code and prohibits a school board from enacting limits to the number of dual credit courses a student may enroll in or the number of credits a student may receive from dual credit courses, provided the courses are taught by Dual Credit Quality Act-compliant instructors, licensed teachers, or community college professors. With some exceptions, the bill also states that if a school district establishes a dual credit online learning program for students, the school board may not limit which students may participate.
Sen. Chuck Weaver and other proponents of the legislation welcomed the signing of the bill at an event held at Richwoods High School in Peoria.
“Dual credit courses are one of the most cost-effective options for helping students earn a college degree,” said Weaver, R-Peoria. “This new law will help boost degree completion rates and help cut costs for students.”
Dual credit programs allow students to get college credit for courses they take while in high school, reducing the amount of time it takes to get a degree, thus decreasing the cost of higher education. It allows students who face time and financial constraints to complete a program.
Community colleges could see a benefit with increased enrollment and General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) certificate completion. The legislation requires that school boards must have their school district’s high schools inform all 11th– and 12th-grade students of dual enrollment and dual credit opportunities available at public community colleges for qualified students.
Under the new law, students have the ability to complete all of their General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) before graduating high school. Studies reflect that students who attain a certification or a degree are more likely to begin paying off student loans earlier than those who do not finish their programs.
The bill, passed unanimously in both Houses, takes effect Jan. 1, 2019.
The Governor also acted on the following bills:
- Bill No.: HB 751 An Act Concerning Public Employee Benefits Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 1447 An Act Concerning Health Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 1804 An Act Concerning Criminal Law Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 2222 An Act Concerning Local Government Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 4226 An Act Concerning Education Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 4243 An Act Concerning State Government Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 4392 An Act Concerning Health Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 4409 An Act Concerning Education Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 4508 An Act Concerning Regulation Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 4573 An Act Concerning Education Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 4578 An Act Concerning Regulation Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 4645 An Act Concerning Health Action: Veto Note: Veto Message Below
- Bill No.: HB 4665 An Act Concerning Regulation Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 4677 An Act Concerning Safety Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 4686 An Act Concerning Civil Law Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 4745 An Act Concerning Finance Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 4748 An Act Concerning Local Government Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 4795 An Act Concerning State Government Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 4860 An Act Concerning Education Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 4920 An Act Concerning Civil Law Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 4953 An Act Concerning State Government Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 5019 An Act Concerning State Government Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 5027 An Act Concerning State Government Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 5077 An Act Concerning Courts Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 5110 An Act Concerning Regulation Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 5111 An Act Concerning Health Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 5136 An Act Concerning Education Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 5137 An Act Concerning Public Employee Benefits Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 5143 An Act Concerning Transportation Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 5153 An Act Concerning State Government Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 5196 An Act Concerning Education Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 5206 An Act Concerning State Government Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 5242 An Act Concerning State Government Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 5245 An Act Concerning Health Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: HB 5341 An Act Concerning State Government Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 5459 An Act Concerning Gaming Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 5497 An Act Concerning Regulation Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 5692 An Act Concerning Wildlife Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: HB 5754 An Act Concerning Education Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 486 An Act Concerning Revenue Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: SB 650 An Act Concerning Education Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: Sb 748 An Act Concerning Regulation Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: SB 2223 An Act Concerning Elections Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: SB 2281 An Act Concerning State Government Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: SB 2309 An Act Concerning Civil Law Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 2313 An Act Concerning Animals Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: SB 2330 An Act Concerning Civil Law Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 2341 An Act Concerning Criminal Law Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 2446 An Act Concerning Public Aid Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: SB 2482 An Act Concerning Transportation Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 2527 An Act Concerning Education Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 2543 An Act Concerning Local Government Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 2578 An Act Concerning Public Employee Benefits Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: SB 2615 An Act Concerning Regulation Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: SB 2618 An Act Concerning Regulation Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: SB 2637 An Act Concerning Finance Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: SB 2713 An Act Concerning State Government Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 2889 An Act Concerning Health Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 2900 An Act Concerning Education Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 3106 An Act Concerning State Government Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: SB 3135 An Act Concerning Safety Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: SB 3148 An Act Concerning Transportation Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 3170 An Act Concerning Regulation Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 3195 An Act Concerning Health Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 3232 An Act Concerning Public Aid Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 3236 An Act Concerning Education Action: Signed Effective: Immediately
- Bill No.: SB 3263 An Act Concerning State Government Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 3443 An Act Concerning Government Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
- Bill No.: SB 3466 An Act Concerning Education Action: Signed Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
Veto Message for HB 4645 is below:
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois House of Representatives,
100th General Assembly:
Today I veto House Bill 4645 from the 100th General Assembly, which extends the repeal date of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act by 10 years.
I appreciate the importance of improving access to quality care and ensuring public accountability. Competition in healthcare markets supports these goals. It drives innovation and leads to the delivery of higher quality and cost-effective healthcare. Stifling innovators and entrepreneurs while protecting well-established markets limits healthcare options and drives up costs. We need to develop policies that expand healthcare choices that will provide better care.
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 4645, entitled “AN ACT concerning State government,” with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
Sincerely,
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR