IL HR1017

Recognizes significant disparities in college degree completion rates between low-income, first-generation, and students of color compared to their peers in Illinois higher education institutions.

Notes that only 37% of low-income students complete college in six years versus 75% of wealthy peers, and only 33.7% of Black and 49.3% of Latino students earn bachelor's degrees in six years compared to 66.4% of White students.

Acknowledges Illinois has set a goal to increase adults with college degrees or credentials to 60% by 2025 but has not set clear targets for eliminating achievement gaps along racial and socioeconomic lines.

Commits the House to supporting institutions of higher education in implementing and expanding evidence-based student success programs that improve outcomes for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.

Urges the State's P-20 Council to update the "60 by 25" goal to include equity-focused targets aimed at closing institutional racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps.