General operating support for the University of Illinois System would increase by 1.8 percent under the budget proposed Wednesday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, which would increase the system’s total general funds appropriation to $710.41 million for the coming fiscal year and continue the trend of state reinvestment in public higher education.

State appropriations for both the 2024 and 2023 fiscal years provided increased support for the U of I System and all of Illinois public higher education.

“The governor’s proposed budget continues his support for public higher education and shows continued confidence in the ability of public higher education to provide an excellent education as well as broader economic and workforce development, significant contributions to health care and well-being, and so many other benefits for the people of Illinois,” system President Tim Killeen said. “Funding for public higher education remains one of the most important investments that Illinois can make in its future, and one that the U of I System has proved again and again delivers for the people of the state.

“We look forward to working with the governor and our state representatives and senators during the state-budget process of the next few months to make certain that healthy investment in our universities remains a priority,” Killeen added.

The governor’s proposed budget would also add $10 million to the state’s Monetary Award Program (MAP), increasing the total financial aid it provides for students across the state to $711 million. About 46 percent of all resident undergraduate students across the three U of I System universities receive MAP aid.