Lawmaker criticizes $500 student board scholarships amid lowered K‑12
standards
[August 20, 2025]
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – Illinois student leaders serving on state higher
education boards will now receive $500-per-semester scholarships under a
recently signed law championed by Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria.
State Rep. Paul Jacobs, R-Pomona, who serves on the higher education
appropriations committee, says recently signed Senate Bill 1475 is
another unnecessary expense for taxpayers at a time when the state faces
far greater challenges.
"We have to cut expenses instead of doling out expenses that are really
completely unnecessary in my estimation," said Jacobs. "I just don't see
a state that has the problems that this state has with finances
extending out for more expenses."
Jacobs questioned the integrity of students serving on these boards if
compensated, suggesting it could undermine their motivations.
"The kids that are doing this do it because they're encouraged to do it.
It's going to go really great on their college applications that they're
self-starters. As soon as you pay them, are they really self-starters?"
He further argued that such compensation might negatively impact their
college applications, stating, "I think it could actually backfire and
go against them when they're trying to get into a really good college."
Koehler, in a news release, emphasized that the scholarship rewards the
time and effort students dedicate to serving on higher education boards
and encourages continued engagement in improving Illinois’ colleges and
universities.
“These students do incredibly valuable work for Illinois,” Koehler said.
“Providing this modest financial support demonstrates that our state
values their dedication and appreciates their contributions.”
The bill becoming law comes as the Illinois State Board of Education
recently voted to lower proficiency benchmarks for K‑12 students.
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Jacobs warned that paying students to sit on boards while struggling
students fail to meet basic reading and math standards sends the
wrong message about priorities in Illinois education.
"Let's focus on the basics, reading, writing, and math, rather than
all these extracurricular activities. It's great that some students
serve on these boards, but I don't think they should be paid. We
can't afford it, and frankly, if I were a college admissions
officer, seeing that they were paid for this might raise questions."
Jacobs was asked about the value of students serving on the Illinois
Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board.
“I think that's always good to learn something about that. I don't
know if it's really a tremendous experience for them or not. I don't
think I've ever met one of the kids that is doing this,” said
Jacobs. “We should focus more on ensuring students from kindergarten
through 12th grade can read, write, and do math."
Currently, two students serve on the 16-member Illinois Board of
Higher Education (IBHE). These student members are selected by the
Student Advisory Committee of the IBHE. The 11-member Illinois
Community College Board has one student member.
Since SB1475 lacks explicit appropriation language, the funding
likely could come from general state appropriations, to be allocated
in a future budget by the Illinois General Assembly, probably
administered through relevant agencies like the Board of Higher
Education or Community College Board, or potentially through the
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
Jacobs confirmed that ultimately it’d be taxpayers paying for the
$500-per-semester scholarships.
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