The increase in University of Illinois System operating funds announced by Gov. JB Pritzker for the 2026 fiscal year demonstrates continued support for and belief in the power of public higher education, U of I System President Tim Killeen said Monday.
The new budget was approved by the General Assembly on Sunday and Pritzker has said he will sign it.
The budget will provide an immediate operating budget of $651.1 million for the U of I System in the fiscal year that begins July 1, a 1% increase from the current $644.6 million. Another $12.9 million, which will provide an additional 2% increase, will be released at the discretion and approval of the governor.
鈥淭his new budget builds on multiple years of reinvestment in the U of I System and all of public higher education in Illinois, reflecting the value our universities deliver through educational excellence, groundbreaking and job-creating research and much, much more,鈥� Killeen said. 鈥淲e are grateful to Gov. Pritzker and the General Assembly for their belief 鈥� in an undeniably challenging time 鈥� in the ability of our three universities, our hospital, our clinics, Illinois Extension and the wide range of other services we provide to make real differences in the lives of millions of Illinoisans.鈥�
According to recent economic data, the U of I System added $24.9 billion to the Illinois economy in 2023 and supported 225,171 jobs. That is one out of every 37 jobs in the state.
The new state budget also will increase funding for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) by 1.4% 鈥� $10 million 鈥� to $721.6 million.
MAP, which is the state鈥檚 primary student financial aid program, provides aid to about 22,300 students across the U of I System universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield. 鈥淢AP funding makes college possible for thousands of students from Illinois,鈥� Killeen said. 鈥淎n increase in this fundamental form of aid is an investment in the state鈥檚 future.鈥�
President Tim Killeen