NW Illinois News

Illinois is facing a federal lawsuit after the passage of House Bill 460, which extends state-funded financial aid and in-state tuition to undocumented students. Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill into law earlier this summer, with provisions set to take effect next year.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice filed suit against Illinois, Governor Pritzker, and Attorney General Kwame Raoul. The department argues that the new law violates federal statutes by granting benefits to individuals in the country illegally that are not equally provided to U.S. citizens. Federal officials also say that students from other states who are legally in the U.S. do not receive the same financial assistance now available to undocumented immigrants in Illinois.

The lawsuit claims that Illinois’ policy is at odds with federal law and places additional costs on taxpayers while potentially encouraging further illegal immigration.

State Senator Li Arellano Jr., a Republican elected in 2025 to represent Illinois' 37th Senate District, said: "This latest lawsuit is further proof that Governor Pritzker’s policies are putting the interests of those here illegally ahead of hardworking Illinois families." He added: "He believes taxpayer-funded financial aid should be reserved for U.S. citizens and legal residents, not used to create additional incentives for illegal immigration."

Arellano replaced previous state senator Win Stoller as part of his recent election victory.