Illinois Legislation 101

Public Act 093-0007 (HB 60) – The Acevedo Bill (2003)

What it does:
Allows eligible undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates at public universities and community colleges in Illinois.

Who qualifies?
You may be eligible if you:

1. Residency in Illinois – Lived with a parent or guardian while attending a public or private high school in Illinois.
2. Graduation – Graduated from an Illinois public/private high school or earned a GED in Illinois.
3. School Attendance – Attended high school in Illinois for at least 3 years before graduation/GED.
4. Affidavit – If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must file an affidavit with your college stating you will apply for permanent residency when eligible.

Illinois DREAM Act (2011)

What it does:

• Creates the Illinois DREAM Fund – private scholarships for undocumented students.
• Allows undocumented students to participate in state-sponsored college savings programs (Bright Start & College Illinois!).
• Requires trained counselors in high schools and colleges to guide undocumented students toward available scholarships.

RISE Act (2019)

What it does:
Allows eligible undocumented students (including DACA recipients) to apply for state financial aid, including the Monetary Award Program (MAP grants) and some institutional aid.

Who qualifies?
You may be eligible if you:

1. Are an undocumented student, a DACA recipient, or a transgender student who is otherwise disqualified from federal financial aid.
2. Meet all the in-state tuition requirements under HB 60:
   • Lived with a parent or guardian while attending a public or private high school in Illinois.
   • Graduated from an Illinois public/private high school or earned a GED in Illinois.
   • Attended high school in Illinois for at least 3 years before graduation/GED.
   • If not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, filed an affidavit stating you will apply for permanent residency when eligible.
3. Are enrolled or plan to enroll in an eligible Illinois public university or community college.
4. Complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (instead of the FAFSA) through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).

Undocumented Student Liaison Act (2021)

What it does:
Requires every public university and community college in Illinois to designate a staff liaison for undocumented students. This person helps students understand financial aid, admissions, scholarships, and campus resources.

Illinois TRUST Act (2017)

What it does:

• • Limits local and state law enforcement from detaining individuals solely based on immigration status or federal immigration detainers without a judicial warrant.
  • Prohibits police from stopping, arresting, or detaining people solely because of suspected immigration violations.

• Helps create a “safe state” policy so immigrants can interact with local agencies without fear of deportation.

Illinois VOICES Act (2018)

What it does:

• Provides protections for immigrant survivors of certain crimes, human trafficking, and domestic violence.
• Requires law enforcement agencies to respond to requests for U visa and T visa certification in a timely manner.
  Strengthens cooperation between survivors and law enforcement without fear of immigration consequences.

Illinois Way Forward Act (2021)

What it does:

• Prohibits local governments and law enforcement agencies from entering into contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain immigrants.
• Phases out immigrant detention in Illinois entirely.
• Strengthens the TRUST Act by further limiting collaboration between state/local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement.

Welcoming City Ordinance (Chapter 2-173)

What it does:
Protects immigrant and refugee communities in Chicago by limiting cooperation between city agencies and federal immigration enforcement.

Key protections:

• City employees and police cannot inquire about immigration status unless required by law.
• No denial of city services based on immigration status.
• City agencies cannot share immigration status information with federal authorities.
• Prohibits honoring ICE detainer requests without a judicial warrant.
• Accepts foreign-issued identification cards for city services.
  2021 update removed all carve-outs — Chicago Police may not cooperate with ICE under any circumstances.

Why this matters:
Knowing these laws can help you:

• Save thousands in tuition.
• Access scholarships and grants that you might have thought were unavailable.
• Connect with staff who can guide you through the process from application to graduation.

• Illinois General Assembly – HB 60 Text
• Illinois DREAM Fund
• RISE Act Alternative Application