Lawmaker criticizes $500 student board scholarships amid lowered K‑12 standards

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(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.

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.