Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed a bill into law that allows students in his state to receive financial aid regardless of their immigration status.
The legislation, which was sponsored by Democratic Illinois State Sens. Celina Villanueva and Javier L. Cervantes, will allow all students residing in Illinois to be eligible for financial aid programs funded or administered by the state, local governments, or public colleges and universities, according to a press release. Villanueva said in a statement that the law is intended to make sure “no student is left behind because of where they were born.”
“If you live in Illinois and are pursuing higher education, you should have access to the same opportunities as your peers,” Villanueva said in a statement.
“Too many students have faced closed doors and confusing guidance simply because of their background,” she added. “Illinois invests in all of our students, and we’re committed to helping them succeed.”
Pritzker has notably been expanding his national profile this year amid rumors that he will seek the White House in 2028. The Democratic governor said in August that he is not ruling “anything out” when it comes to a potential 2028 White House bid.
Republican Illinois Rep. Mary Miller told Fox News on Monday that “allowing taxpayer-funded financial aid for illegal aliens is a slap in the face to hardworking Illinois families and students.”
“Our state is drowning in debt, yet JB Pritzker is determined to drain even more taxpayer dollars to reward illegals,” Miller added. “It’s absolutely shameful.”
“Radical Democrats like JB Pritzker are bending over backwards to reward illegal immigrants while law enforcement officers are being assaulted, robbed, and shot,” National Republican Congressional Committee Spokesman Mike Marinella said Tuesday in a statement. “This is the modern Democrat Party: criminals get handouts, cops get demonized, and hardworking Americans get stuck with the bill.”
The law is set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
Pritzker’s office and Villanueva’s office both did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment by time of publication.
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