Of the many expansions, the costliest to Illinois taxpayers was the healthcare benefits offered to illegal immigrants. Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) operated like Medicaid services, but just for undocumented immigrants. From Fiscal Years 2023 – 2025, an estimated $2 billion was spent to fund free healthcare for illegal immigrants. The costs ballooned so much that at the end of FY25, Governor Pritzker authorized the ending of HBIA, noting that the State of Illinois needs to live within its means. As of now, HBIS remains funded by taxpayers.
Outside of healthcare, Illinois has funded many support services for non-citizens and expanded privileges. One of those measures, HB 3125, was recently signed by the Governor and allows non-citizens to become driving instructors. The new law sets loose provisions, requiring the individual to be a licensed driver for the past two years.
The Governor’s newest immigration initiative was just signed into law. HB 460 allows undocumented students to access the same financial aid as students here legally. The law applies to state public universities and institutions.
In response, State Rep. Regan Deering, an advocate for college affordability and putting Illinoisans first, filed HB 4097, to end preferential treatment for non-citizens in Illinois’ public higher-education system and ensure no non-citizen receives a better tuition or financial-aid benefit than a U.S. citizen.
“College is expensive, and many students rely on financial aid to help pay for their education. Taxpayers expect those limited dollars to help U.S. families first,” said Rep. Deering. “Under the Democrats’ policy, non-citizens are prioritized over citizens. That’s not a level playing field, and it’s not fair.”
HB 4097 would prevent a system in which non-citizens receive better treatment than U.S. citizens, including citizens from neighboring states who are currently disadvantaged under Illinois Democrats’ policy.
“Punishing U.S. citizens while rewarding unlawful presence is upside down. We will not treat citizens like they are second-class,” continued Deering. “My legislation restores basic fairness and keeps our state on the right side of federal law. The Governor’s decision to, once again, put illegal immigrants above citizens is abhorrent. We should govern with common sense and basic fairness — not with an eye on the White House.”
Rep. Deering noted that her reasoning for filing the new bill is that the current policy is divorced from common sense and basic fairness and appears more aimed at advancing Governor Pritzker’s political ambitions than fulfilling governing responsibilities.
Deering’s HB 4097 was filed on August 18 and has already garnered support from her colleagues. HB 460 will go into effect on January 1, 2026, unless legislative action is taken to stop it. To learn more about both pieces of legislation, visit ilga.gov.