SPRINGFIELD — Today, Governor JB Pritzker visited the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and Sangamon County to highlight his administration's investments in higher education and infrastructure. These proposed investments in the FY24 budget are aimed at creating a greater Illinois where everyone has access to quality education and safe, modern infrastructure.

The day began in Urbana-Champaign where the Governor was joined by UIUC President Timothy Killeen, stakeholders, and local and state leaders to discuss his proposed investments in higher education. Governor Pritzker's administration has given a 10.5% increase to public universities, which represents another $60.5 million for the University of Illinois Systems. The historic higher education investments go towards strengthening community colleges and public universities, making college more affordable for Illinoisians.

"My budget for this coming year proposes the largest increase for higher education in more than 20 years," said Governor JB Pritzker. "That means we can tackle college affordability from two angles: restoring public funding directly to our universities alleviating the need to raise tuition, and taking MAP grants to new heights so we can provide record breaking numbers of state scholarships."

"The growth of public colleges and universities in Illinois shows that our historic investments in them matters, and that more students are finding broader paths to the education, peer support, and mentorship they seek," said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. "With our sustained commitment to higher education through funding for MAP grants and more, the opportunities for students from every community will grow and the future of Illinois will continue to be bright."

The FY24 budget increases also help ensure every student who wants to go to college has an affordable path to do so. With another $100 million investment in the MAP Grant Program, pursuing a higher education degree will continue to become more attainable for everyone.

Enrollment in public universities across Illinois is the highest it has been in six years. The University of Illinois Serves over 94,861 students, representing 52% of the State's public university enrollment. This is a 6% increase from the beginning of Governor Pritzker's administration.

"College affordability is an issue that affects parents all across the state," said State Senator Paul Faraci, (D-Champaign). "As a father to a 17-year-old daughter, I believe that the proposed funding increase to higher education will provide financial security to many families and allow more children to further their education right here in Illinois."

"As a representative of a community with a world class university, it is my top priority to make higher education more accessible and affordable," said State Rep. Carol Ammons, (D-Urbana). "We've made great strides on eliminating hunger on college campuses and expanding opportunities to incarcerated individuals, but there is more work to be done. I am looking forward to working with the governor to continue building UIUC and Illinois universities as centers of excellence for all students in our state and nation."

The day continued with a stop in Springfield to announce the start of construction for new underpasses at Madison and Jefferson streets as part of the ongoing Springfield Rail Improvements Project. The project will address issues of public safety, traffic congestion, community livability, and commercial development.

Both the Madison and Jefferson Street underpasses eliminate the potential for vehicle/train accidents and provides accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians. Additionally, the project will improve access for emergency vehicles and school buses. As part of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project, a new Transportation Center will include both a Sangamon Mass Transit
District (SMTD) bus transfer facility and an Amtrak intercity passenger rail station.
The Springfield Rail Improvements Project is funded by both state and federal dollars, with the Governor's bipartisan Rebuild Illinois plan contributing $7.2 million. Construction will start in April of 2023, with Madison and Jefferson Streets being closed between 9th and 11th Streets for 14 months.

"Nowhere is common sense governing represented better than here at the Springfield Rail Improvements Program where we are fixing decades-old problems, creating good jobs, bringing people into downtown, and connecting Chicago, Springfield, and St. Louis," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Today, we come together once again to announce an important part of the plan to transform Springfield's rail system and improve safety and efficiency of our road system."