IL SB2548

Creates the Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act requiring all Illinois higher education institutions (universities, colleges, community colleges, and vocational schools) to designate at least one staff member as a liaison for homeless students and students in care

Liaison responsibilities include assisting with financial aid applications, tracking graduation and retention rates, connecting students to housing and support services, publishing resources on the institution's website, and training staff to identify homeless students

Institutions with on-campus housing must grant priority housing to homeless students and students in care, allow part-time students access to housing, waive fees during academic breaks, and keep housing open during breaks

If homeless students or students in care exceed 1% of an institution's student body after 3 academic years, the institution must create a dedicated position for the liaison role

Board of Higher Education must adopt implementing rules, require annual liaison training, collaborate with McKinney-Vento coordinators on secondary-to-postsecondary transitions, and compile annual reports on enrolled homeless and foster care students; effective August 1, 2021