IL HB5123

Expands University of Illinois honorary scholarship eligibility to include children of police officers or fire officers killed in the line of duty while serving the State or any local public entity in Illinois

Beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year, each county may award one annual scholarship to children of fallen first responders as an alternative to existing veterans' children scholarships

Counties must choose between awarding the scholarship to veterans' children or to children of fallen police/fire officers in a given year, but cannot award under both provisions simultaneously

Scholarship recipients must be at least 15 years old, demonstrate proficiency in secondary school subjects through public examination, and maintain good moral character

Selected students receive tuition-free instruction in any University of Illinois department for at least 4 consecutive years