HB4627 Summary

• Amends admissions policies across Illinois public universities (University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, and Western Illinois University) to establish a standardized 15-unit high school coursework requirement consisting of 4 years English, 3 years social studies, 3 years mathematics, 3 years laboratory science, and 2 years electives in foreign language/music/vocational education/art.

• Permits individual universities to admit applicants who demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills through assessment or learning outcomes evaluation, including those from charter schools, without discriminating against charter school applicants.

• Allows universities to admit educationally disadvantaged applicants and those who lacked opportunity to complete college preparatory curriculum if they enroll in special assistance programs with compensatory academic coursework.

• Exempts high school graduates who scored within university-accepted ranges on ACT or SAT from taking a high school equivalency test as an admission prerequisite.

• Requires each university's Board of Trustees to establish an admissions process permitting honorably discharged veterans to apply for spring semester enrollment if they were on active duty during the fall semester, with option to request Department of Veterans' Affairs verification.