Gov. Rauner signs new law to expand dual credit courses; Takes action on additional legislation

PEORIA — Gov. Rauner signed legislation today that improves post-secondary education opportunities by allowing high school students to enroll in an unlimited number of dual credit courses in which they can earn both high school and college credits. The courses, whether taken in class or online, must be taught by instructors who are in compliance with the Dual Credit Quality Act.
 
"This legislation will help give students greater access to higher education," Rauner said. "Earning college credit in high school may mean completing college in less time and that, in turn, could significantly lessen the financial burden for students and their families. It could also hasten General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) completion and entry to community colleges."
 
The new law is another step toward the administration's objective of improving access to education to help students prepare for the 21st century economy. Cost is a major deterrent. A 2017 survey by the Institute for Higher Education Policy estimated that 70 percent of U.S. colleges are unaffordable for low- and middle-income families who are unwilling or unable to take out loans.
 
SB 2527 amends the School Code and prohibits a school board from enacting limits to the number of dual credit courses a student may enroll in or the number of credits a student may receive from dual credit courses, provided the courses are taught by Dual Credit Quality Act-compliant instructors, licensed teachers, or community college professors. With some exceptions, the bill also states that if a school district establishes a dual credit online learning program for students, the school board may not limit which students may participate.
 
Sen. Chuck Weaver and other proponents of the legislation welcomed the signing of the bill at an event held at Richwoods High School in Peoria.
 
"Dual credit courses are one of the most cost-effective options for helping students earn a college degree," said Weaver, R-Peoria. "This new law will help boost degree completion rates and help cut costs for students."
 
Dual credit programs allow students to get college credit for courses they take while in high school, reducing the amount of time it takes to get a degree, thus decreasing the cost of higher education. It allows students who face time and financial constraints to complete a program.
 
Community colleges could see a benefit with increased enrollment and General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) certificate completion. The legislation requires that school boards must have their school district's high schools inform all 11th- and 12th-grade students of  dual enrollment and dual credit opportunities available at public community colleges for qualified students.
 
Under the new law, students have the ability to complete all of their General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) before graduating high school. Studies reflect that students who attain a certification or a degree are more likely to begin paying off student loans earlier than those who do not finish their programs.
 
The bill, passed unanimously in both Houses, takes effect Jan. 1, 2019.

The Governor also acted on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 751
An Act Concerning Public Employee Benefits                               
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1447
An Act Concerning Health
Action: Signed
Effective:  Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1804
An Act Concerning Criminal Law
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 2222
An Act Concerning Local Government                            
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4226
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 4243
An Act Concerning State Government                               
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4392
An Act Concerning Health
Action: Signed
Effective:  Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 4409
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4508
An Act Concerning Regulation                            
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4573
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4578
An Act Concerning Regulation                               
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 4645
An Act Concerning Health
Action: Veto
Note:  Veto Message Below

Bill No.: HB 4665
An Act Concerning Regulation
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4677
An Act Concerning Safety                            
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4686
An Act Concerning Civil Law
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 4745
An Act Concerning Finance                               
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4748
An Act Concerning Local Government
Action: Signed
Effective:  Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 4795
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 4860
An Act Concerning Education                            
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4920
An Act Concerning Civil Law
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 4953
An Act Concerning State Government                               
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 5019
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Signed
Effective:  Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5027
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 5077
An Act Concerning Courts
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5110
An Act Concerning Regulation
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 5111
An Act Concerning Health
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5136
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 5137
An Act Concerning Public Employee Benefits
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5143
An Act Concerning Transportation
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 5153
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5196
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5206
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 5242
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5245
An Act Concerning Health
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: HB 5341
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5459
An Act Concerning Gaming
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5497
An Act Concerning Regulation
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5692
An Act Concerning Wildlife
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5754
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 486
An Act Concerning Revenue                               
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 650
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Signed
Effective:  Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 748
An Act Concerning Regulation
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2223
An Act Concerning Elections                            
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2281
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2309
An Act Concerning Civil Law                             
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 2313
An Act Concerning Animals
Action: Signed
Effective:  Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2330
An Act Concerning Civil Law
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 2341
An Act Concerning Criminal Law
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 2446
An Act Concerning Public Aid
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2482
An Act Concerning Transportation                            
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 2527
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Signed
Effective:  Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 2543
An Act Concerning Local Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 2578
An Act Concerning Public Employee Benefits
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2615
An Act Concerning Regulation
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2618
An Act Concerning Regulation
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2637
An Act Concerning Finance                               
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2713
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Signed
Effective:  Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 2889
An Act Concerning Health
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 2900
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 3106
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 3135
An Act Concerning Safety                               
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 3148
An Act Concerning Transportation
Action: Signed
Effective:  Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 3170
An Act Concerning Regulation
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 3195
An Act Concerning Health                            
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 3232
An Act Concerning Public Aid
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 3236
An Act Concerning Education                               
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 3263
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Signed
Effective:  Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 3443
An Act Concerning Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Bill No.: SB 3466
An Act Concerning Education                            
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019

Veto Message for HB 4645 is below:

To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois House of Representatives,
100th General Assembly:
 
Today I veto House Bill 4645 from the 100th General Assembly, which extends the repeal date of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act by 10 years.

I appreciate the importance of improving access to quality care and ensuring public accountability.  Competition in healthcare markets supports these goals.  It drives innovation and leads to the delivery of higher quality and cost-effective healthcare. Stifling innovators and entrepreneurs while protecting well-established markets limits healthcare options and drives up costs.  We need to develop policies that expand healthcare choices that will provide better care.

Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 4645, entitled "AN ACT concerning State government," with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
 
Sincerely,

Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR