Bill Text: IL HB4627 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Enrolled

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Requires the governing board of each public university to establish an admissions process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an application for admission to the University as a freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. Allows the university to request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who was on active duty during the fall semester. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2016-08-15 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 99-0806 [HB4627 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-HB4627-Enrolled.html



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1 AN ACT concerning education.
2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
4 Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by
5changing Section 8 as follows:
6 (110 ILCS 305/8) (from Ch. 144, par. 29)
7 Sec. 8. Admissions.
8 (a) (Blank).
9 (b) In addition, commencing in the fall of 1993, no new
10student shall then or thereafter be admitted to instruction in
11any of the departments or colleges of the University unless
12such student also has satisfactorily completed:
13 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
14 the following 5 categories:
15 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
16 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
17 years may be collegiate level instruction;
18 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
19 and government);
20 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
21 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
22 fundamentals of computer programming);
23 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and

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1 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which
2 may be deemed to include American Sign Language),
3 music, vocational education or art;
4 (2) except that institutions may admit individual
5 applicants if the institution determines through
6 assessment or through evaluation based on learning
7 outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational
8 education courses and courses taken in a charter school
9 established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the
10 applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially
11 equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be
12 acquired in the high school courses required for admission.
13 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois shall
14 not discriminate in the University's admissions process
15 against an applicant for admission because of the
16 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
17 under Article 27A of the School Code. Institutions may also
18 admit 1) applicants who did not have an opportunity to
19 complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in
20 high school, and 2) educationally disadvantaged applicants
21 who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance
22 programs that are tailored to the needs of such students,
23 providing that in either case, the institution
24 incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum
25 courses or other academic activities that compensate for
26 course deficiencies; and

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1 (3) except that up to 3 of the 15 units of coursework
2 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
3 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
4 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
5 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
6 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
7 (c) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
8recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
9coursework required by subsection (b).
10 (d) A student who has graduated from high school and has
11scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
12shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as
13a prerequisite to admission.
14 (e) The Board of Trustees shall establish an admissions
15process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to
16submit an application for admission to the University as a
17freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the
18veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. The
19University may request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs
20confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably discharged
21veteran who was on active duty during the fall semester.
22(Source: P.A. 98-718, eff. 1-1-15.)
23 Section 10. The Southern Illinois University Management
24Act is amended by changing Section 8e as follows:

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1 (110 ILCS 520/8e) (from Ch. 144, par. 658e)
2 Sec. 8e. Admissions.
3 (a) Commencing in the fall of 1993, no new student shall
4then or thereafter be admitted to instruction in any of the
5departments or colleges of the University unless such student
6also has satisfactorily completed:
7 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
8 the following 5 categories:
9 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
10 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
11 years may be collegiate level instruction;
12 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
13 and government);
14 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
15 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
16 fundamentals of computer programming);
17 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
18 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which
19 may be deemed to include American Sign Language),
20 music, vocational education or art;
21 (2) except that institutions may admit individual
22 applicants if the institution determines through
23 assessment or through evaluation based on learning
24 outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational
25 education courses and courses taken in a charter school
26 established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the

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1 applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially
2 equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be
3 acquired in the high school courses required for admission.
4 The Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University shall
5 not discriminate in the University's admissions process
6 against an applicant for admission because of the
7 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
8 under Article 27A of the School Code. Institutions may also
9 admit 1) applicants who did not have an opportunity to
10 complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in
11 high school, and 2) educationally disadvantaged applicants
12 who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance
13 programs that are tailored to the needs of such students,
14 providing that in either case, the institution
15 incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum
16 courses or other academic activities that compensate for
17 course deficiencies; and
18 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
19 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
20 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
21 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
22 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
23 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
24 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
25recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
26coursework required by subsection (a).

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1 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
2scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
3shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as
4a prerequisite to admission.
5 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
6which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
7application for admission to the University as a freshman
8student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
9active duty during the fall semester. The University may
10request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
11status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
12was on active duty during the fall semester.
13(Source: P.A. 98-718, eff. 1-1-15.)
14 Section 15. The Chicago State University Law is amended by
15changing Section 5-85 as follows:
16 (110 ILCS 660/5-85)
17 Sec. 5-85. Admissions Admission requirements.
18 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
19of the departments or colleges of the Chicago State University
20unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:
21 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
22 the following 5 categories:
23 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
24 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2

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1 years may be collegiate level instruction;
2 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
3 and government);
4 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
5 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
6 fundamentals of computer programming);
7 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
8 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which
9 may be deemed to include American Sign Language),
10 music, vocational education or art;
11 (2) except that Chicago State University may admit
12 individual applicants if it determines through assessment
13 or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
14 coursework taken, including vocational education courses
15 and courses taken in a charter school established under
16 Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
17 demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
18 to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
19 high school courses required for admission. The Board of
20 Trustees of Chicago State University shall not
21 discriminate in the University's admissions process
22 against an applicant for admission because of the
23 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
24 under Article 27A of the School Code. Chicago State
25 University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
26 an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory

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1 curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
2 disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
3 organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
4 the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
5 the institution incorporates in the applicant's
6 baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
7 activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
8 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
9 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
10 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
11 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
12 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
13 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
14 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
15recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
16coursework required by subsection (a).
17 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
18scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
19shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as
20a prerequisite to admission.
21 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
22which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
23application for admission to the University as a freshman
24student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
25active duty during the fall semester. The University may
26request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the

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1status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
2was on active duty during the fall semester.
3(Source: P.A. 98-718, eff. 1-1-15.)
4 Section 20. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended
5by changing Section 10-85 as follows:
6 (110 ILCS 665/10-85)
7 Sec. 10-85. Admissions Admission requirements.
8 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
9of the departments or colleges of the Eastern Illinois
10University unless such student also has satisfactorily
11completed:
12 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
13 the following 5 categories:
14 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
15 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
16 years may be collegiate level instruction;
17 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
18 and government);
19 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
20 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
21 fundamentals of computer programming);
22 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
23 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which
24 may be deemed to include American Sign Language),

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1 music, vocational education or art;
2 (2) except that Eastern Illinois University may admit
3 individual applicants if it determines through assessment
4 or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
5 coursework taken, including vocational education courses
6 and courses taken in a charter school established under
7 Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
8 demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
9 to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
10 high school courses required for admission. The Board of
11 Trustees of Eastern Illinois University shall not
12 discriminate in the University's admissions process
13 against an applicant for admission because of the
14 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
15 under Article 27A of the School Code. Eastern Illinois
16 University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
17 an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
18 curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
19 disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
20 organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
21 the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
22 the institution incorporates in the applicant's
23 baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
24 activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
25 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
26 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be

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1 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
2 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
3 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
4 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
5 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
6recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
7coursework required by subsection (a).
8 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
9scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
10shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as
11a prerequisite to admission.
12 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
13which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
14application for admission to the University as a freshman
15student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
16active duty during the fall semester. The University may
17request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
18status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
19was on active duty during the fall semester.
20(Source: P.A. 98-718, eff. 1-1-15.)
21 Section 25. The Governors State University Law is amended
22by changing Section 15-85 as follows:
23 (110 ILCS 670/15-85)
24 Sec. 15-85. Admissions Admission requirements.

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1 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
2of the departments or colleges of the Governors State
3University unless such student also has satisfactorily
4completed:
5 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
6 the following 5 categories:
7 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
8 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
9 years may be collegiate level instruction;
10 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
11 and government);
12 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
13 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
14 fundamentals of computer programming);
15 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
16 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which
17 may be deemed to include American Sign Language),
18 music, vocational education or art;
19 (2) except that Governors State University may admit
20 individual applicants if it determines through assessment
21 or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
22 coursework taken, including vocational education courses
23 and courses taken in a charter school established under
24 Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
25 demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
26 to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the

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1 high school courses required for admission. The Board of
2 Trustees of Governors State University shall not
3 discriminate in the University's admissions process
4 against an applicant for admission because of the
5 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
6 under Article 27A of the School Code. Governors State
7 University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
8 an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
9 curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
10 disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
11 organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
12 the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
13 the institution incorporates in the applicant's
14 baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
15 activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
16 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
17 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
18 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
19 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
20 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
21 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
22 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
23recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
24coursework required by subsection (a).
25 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
26scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT

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1shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as
2a prerequisite to admission.
3 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
4which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
5application for admission to the University as a freshman
6student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
7active duty during the fall semester. The University may
8request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
9status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
10was on active duty during the fall semester.
11(Source: P.A. 98-718, eff. 1-1-15.)
12 Section 30. The Illinois State University Law is amended by
13changing Section 20-85 as follows:
14 (110 ILCS 675/20-85)
15 Sec. 20-85. Admissions Admission requirements.
16 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
17of the departments or colleges of the Illinois State University
18unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:
19 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
20 the following 5 categories:
21 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
22 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
23 years may be collegiate level instruction;
24 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history

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1 and government);
2 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
3 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
4 fundamentals of computer programming);
5 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
6 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which
7 may be deemed to include American Sign Language),
8 music, vocational education or art;
9 (2) except that Illinois State University may admit
10 individual applicants if it determines through assessment
11 or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
12 coursework taken, including vocational education courses
13 and courses taken in a charter school established under
14 Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
15 demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
16 to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
17 high school courses required for admission. The Board of
18 Trustees of Illinois State University shall not
19 discriminate in the University's admissions process
20 against an applicant for admission because of the
21 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
22 under Article 27A of the School Code. Illinois State
23 University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
24 an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
25 curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
26 disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal

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1 organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
2 the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
3 the institution incorporates in the applicant's
4 baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
5 activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
6 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
7 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
8 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
9 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
10 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
11 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
12 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
13recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
14coursework required by subsection (a).
15 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
16scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
17shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as
18a prerequisite to admission.
19 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
20which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
21application for admission to the University as a freshman
22student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
23active duty during the fall semester. The University may
24request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
25status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
26was on active duty during the fall semester.

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1(Source: P.A. 98-718, eff. 1-1-15.)
2 Section 35. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is
3amended by changing Section 25-85 as follows:
4 (110 ILCS 680/25-85)
5 Sec. 25-85. Admissions Admission requirements.
6 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
7of the departments or colleges of the Northeastern Illinois
8University unless such student also has satisfactorily
9completed:
10 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
11 the following 5 categories:
12 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
13 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
14 years may be collegiate level instruction;
15 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
16 and government);
17 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
18 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
19 fundamentals of computer programming);
20 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
21 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which
22 may be deemed to include American Sign Language),
23 music, vocational education or art;
24 (2) except that Northeastern Illinois University may

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1 admit individual applicants if it determines through
2 assessment or through evaluation based on learning
3 outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational
4 education courses and courses taken in a charter school
5 established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the
6 applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially
7 equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be
8 acquired in the high school courses required for admission.
9 The Board of Trustees of Northeastern Illinois University
10 shall not discriminate in the University's admissions
11 process against an applicant for admission because of the
12 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
13 under Article 27A of the School Code. Northeastern Illinois
14 University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
15 an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
16 curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
17 disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
18 organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
19 the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
20 the institution incorporates in the applicant's
21 baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
22 activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
23 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
24 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
25 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
26 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences

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1 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
2 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
3 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
4recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
5coursework required by subsection (a).
6 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
7scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
8shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as
9a prerequisite to admission.
10 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
11which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
12application for admission to the University as a freshman
13student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
14active duty during the fall semester. The University may
15request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
16status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
17was on active duty during the fall semester.
18(Source: P.A. 98-718, eff. 1-1-15.)
19 Section 40. The Northern Illinois University Law is amended
20by changing Section 30-85 as follows:
21 (110 ILCS 685/30-85)
22 Sec. 30-85. Admissions Admission requirements.
23 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
24of the departments or colleges of the Northern Illinois

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1University unless such student also has satisfactorily
2completed:
3 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
4 the following 5 categories:
5 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
6 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
7 years may be collegiate level instruction;
8 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
9 and government);
10 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
11 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
12 fundamentals of computer programming);
13 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
14 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which
15 may be deemed to include American Sign Language),
16 music, vocational education or art;
17 (2) except that Northern Illinois University may admit
18 individual applicants if it determines through assessment
19 or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
20 coursework taken, including vocational education courses
21 and courses taken in a charter school established under
22 Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
23 demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
24 to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
25 high school courses required for admission. The Board of
26 Trustees of Northern Illinois University shall not

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1 discriminate in the University's admissions process
2 against an applicant for admission because of the
3 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
4 under Article 27A of the School Code. Northern Illinois
5 University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
6 an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
7 curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
8 disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
9 organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
10 the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
11 the institution incorporates in the applicant's
12 baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
13 activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
14 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
15 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
16 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
17 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
18 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
19 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
20 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
21recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
22coursework required by subsection (a).
23 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
24scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
25shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as
26a prerequisite to admission.

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1 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
2which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
3application for admission to the University as a freshman
4student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
5active duty during the fall semester. The University may
6request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
7status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
8was on active duty during the fall semester.
9(Source: P.A. 98-718, eff. 1-1-15.)
10 Section 45. The Western Illinois University Law is amended
11by changing Section 35-85 as follows:
12 (110 ILCS 690/35-85)
13 Sec. 35-85. Admissions Admission requirements.
14 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
15of the departments or colleges of the Western Illinois
16University unless such student also has satisfactorily
17completed:
18 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
19 the following 5 categories:
20 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
21 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
22 years may be collegiate level instruction;
23 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
24 and government);

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1 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
2 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
3 fundamentals of computer programming);
4 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
5 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which
6 may be deemed to include American Sign Language),
7 music, vocational education or art;
8 (2) except that Western Illinois University may admit
9 individual applicants if it determines through assessment
10 or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
11 coursework taken, including vocational education courses
12 and courses taken in a charter school established under
13 Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
14 demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
15 to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
16 high school courses required for admission. The Board of
17 Trustees of Western Illinois University shall not
18 discriminate in the University's admissions process
19 against an applicant for admission because of the
20 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
21 under Article 27A of the School Code. Western Illinois
22 University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
23 an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
24 curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
25 disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
26 organized special assistance programs that are tailored to

HB4627 Enrolled- 24 -LRB099 14729 NHT 38876 b
1 the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
2 the institution incorporates in the applicant's
3 baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
4 activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
5 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
6 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
7 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
8 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
9 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
10 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
11 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
12recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
13coursework required by subsection (a).
14 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
15scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
16shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as
17a prerequisite to admission.
18 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
19which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
20application for admission to the University as a freshman
21student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
22active duty during the fall semester. The University may
23request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
24status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
25was on active duty during the fall semester.
26(Source: P.A. 98-718, eff. 1-1-15.)

HB4627 Enrolled- 25 -LRB099 14729 NHT 38876 b
1 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
2becoming law.
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