IL HB1097

Expands Illinois educational grants for exonerated persons to include their dependents (spouse, natural children, legally adopted children, or children in legal custody)

Grants cover up to 8 semesters or 12 quarters of full tuition and mandatory fees at Illinois public universities and community colleges for undergraduate or graduate study

Qualified applicants without a high school diploma can use grant funds to pay for high school equivalency test preparation, testing fees, and one retest per module

No financial need demonstration required to qualify for the grant; recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress

Effective date: July 1, 2023