SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State Democratic lawmakers passed a bill in the final days of session to allow undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition at public universities. This comes nine months after the Trump administration filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking the state from lowering the cost of college for undocumented immigrants.

Democratic leaders said immigrant, first-generation and marginalized students should not be left behind because of where they were born.

Yet, the Justice Department said Illinois unconstitutionally discriminates against US citizens who are not afforded the same reduced tuition rates or scholarships.

"We lose 50% of our students already; it’s actually slightly above 50%, to out-of-state colleges and universities," said Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville). "Legislation like this will only increase that number. It will push more of our young minds to other states."

However, Democrats said this bill will create equity and ensure all students have the same opportunity to earn a college degree.

"Individuals who graduated from an Illinois high school may be deemed an Illinois resident for tuition purposes regardless of whether they established residency outside of the state before enrolling at an Illinois institution of higher education," said Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). "This is a good bill."

House Bill 5093 passed out of both chambers on partisan votes. The measure now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk for final consideration. 

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