Amends Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act. Defines "transfer articulation agreement". Sets forth the purpose of the Act. Provides that a State university shall (rather than the General Assembly encourages State universities) to facilitate the seamless transfer of credits toward a baccalaureate degree. Provides that a State university shall enter into a transfer articulation agreement with the community college district to provide a seamless pathway for transfer. Provides that if, within 180 calendar days of the community college's initial request to enter into a transfer articulation agreement with the State university, the community college and State university do not reach agreement on the transfer articulation agreement, then the community college and State university shall jointly implement the provisions of the Model Transfer Articulation Agreement. Provides that a Model Transfer Articulation Agreement shall be developed through a Transfer Articulation Committee by December 31, 2025. Requires each community college and State university to publish the institution's process and timeline for reviewing and making decisions regarding transfer credit requests on the institution's website. Removes language regarding the Board of Higher Education's reviews and reports. Provides instead that, by May 1, 2026, and May 1 of each subsequent year, each State university shall report to the Board of Higher Education specified information. Effective immediately.
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: Requires the Model Transfer Articulation Agreement to be developed by March 31, 2026 (rather than December 31, 2025). Provides that, by May 1, 2027 (rather than May 1, 2026), and May 1 of each subsequent year, each State university shall report to the Board of Higher Education specified information regarding transfers. Requires the Board to publish an analysis and report of the information by October 1, 2027 (rather than 2026) and October 1 of each subsequent year. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
House Committee Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill, and makes the following changes: Provides that a community college shall (rather than the General Assembly encourages community colleges to) facilitate the acceptance of credits earned at other community colleges toward an associate degree for transfer. Encourages community colleges and State universities to enter into transfer articulation agreements whereby community college students may indicate their transfer destination of choice on their application to the community college. Provides that if a transfer destination is provided, the community college may share the student's contact information with the destination university so that it may contact the student and co-advise the student on the recommended coursework for seamless transfer. Changes the requirements of a transfer articulation agreement. Removes language regarding the Model Transfer Articulation Agreement and Committee. Requires State universities to report specified information to the Board of Higher Education by October 1, 2027 (rather than May 1, 2027) and by October 1 (rather than May 1) of each subsequent year. Changes the required information for the report. Requires the Board of Higher Education to publish an analysis and report of the information by March 1, 2028 (rather than October 1, 2027) and by March 1 (rather than October 1) of each subsequent year. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board and Board of Higher Education shall, every 3 years, review the reports to determine if the reports are generating useful information or whether the reports need to be revised or discontinued. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
House Floor Amendment No. 2: In provisions concerning community college and State university transfer articulation agreements, provides that community colleges and State universities are encouraged to enter into agreements (rather than transfer articulation agreements) whereby community college students may indicate their transfer destination of choice on their application to the community college. Makes related changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 110 ILCS 150/5, 110 ILCS 150/8, 110 ILCS 150/10, 110 ILCS 150/20, 110 ILCS 150/21, 110 ILCS 150/22, 110 ILCS 150/24, 110 ILCS 150/25
Engrossed: 110 ILCS 150/5, 110 ILCS 150/8, 110 ILCS 150/10, 110 ILCS 150/20, 110 ILCS 150/21, 110 ILCS 150/22, 110 ILCS 150/24, 110 ILCS 150/25
Enrolled: 110 ILCS 150/3, 110 ILCS 150/5, 110 ILCS 150/10, 110 ILCS 150/20, 110 ILCS 150/21, 110 ILCS 150/24, 110 ILCS 150/25