Illinois lawmakers react to SCOTUS decision ending affirmative action in
universities
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[June 30, 2023]
By Andrew Hensel | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – The United States Supreme Court voted to overturn
affirmative action in colleges and universities, ending the use of race
as a factor in admissions. Illinois lawmakers are split on what it
means.
Affirmative action became law in the U.S. in 1961 as a way to combat
racial discrimination in the hiring process and when applying for
colleges.
Thursday's decision in the case Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v.
President and Fellows of Harvard College came down by a 6-3 vote. Chief
Justice John Roberts gave his opinion on the decision.
"A benefit to a student who overcame racial discrimination, for example,
must be tied to that student’s courage and determination. Or a benefit
to a student whose heritage or culture motivated him or her to assume a
leadership role or attain a particular goal must be tied to that
student's unique ability to contribute to the university. In other
words, the student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an
individual, not on the basis of race," Roberts said.
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After the decision was released, the Illinois State Board of Higher
Education released a statement condemning the outcome.
"This ruling is an attack on people of color, particularly Black people,
who face discrimination through multiple facets of American society.
Affirmative action already was not a robust solution. It was merely a
tool that intended to chip away at an enormous obstacle," the statement
reads. "It is disheartening to know that there are people intent on
stifling racial equity at a time when we should all be working together
to break down barriers because that is the right thing to do."
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said students of color will always be welcomed in the
state of Illinois.
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"This decision only sets us back. But here in the Land of Lincoln
and [Barack] Obama, we will continue to uplift our students of
color, promoting inclusion and expanding access through record
levels of funding for higher education institutions and our MAP
Grant Program so that every student has the opportunity to earn a
degree," Pritzker said. "To students of color throughout the Land of
Lincoln and the entire United States: you belong in our
institutions. And no archaic ruling will ever change that."
Some Republican lawmakers praised the court's decision and said no
student should be helped or hurt by the color of their skin.
State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said this is about fairness
for all.
"This ruling is about fairness. Students deserve equal access and
equal opportunity. Disregarding applicants simply on the basis of
race is wrong," Halbrook told The Center Square. "It is time these
unfair policies were rescinded. The Supreme Court ruling today was
the right one."
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, said racism in the country is
not over.
"I think that we have not passed racism in this country, and I think
there will be some unintended consequences from the Supreme Court's
ruling," Ford said. "When you look at some of our colleges and
universities, we are still struggling to have the highest level of
diversity."
State Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, told The Center Square that
affirmative action had kept many white students out of colleges.
"Today, overturning of the ruling is justifiable," Meier said. "Its
gotten to the point where many students here that are white no
longer can get into college."
The most recent IBHE report on "Illinois Higher Education Enrollment
Landscape" breaks down applicants to Illinois public universities by
race. Of a total 106,400 applicants, 28,500 were white. Around
23,400 were international. The African American category came in at
10,900. Asian applicants totaled 18,900. |