McHenry Times

Dan Ugaste doesn’t have a problem with the state of Illinois taking care of its own before thinking of extending a hand to others.

“I believe students who are United States citizens should have first priority over any foreign students eligible for financial aid from the state of Illinois,” Ugaste told the McHenry Times.

Last fall, the Illinois General Assembly soundly rejected the so-called Student Access Bill that would allow four-year public universities to offer financial aid to every student enrolled at their school on a competitive basis.

Currently, undocumented students, including those granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status, are not eligible to receive such funding as federal student aid, Pell grants, Illinois MAP Grants and other forms of state-based aid, though federal law allows state legislatures to offer undocumented students eligibility for state aid on an individual basis.

In the end, Ugaste, a Geneva Republican running to for the seat held by retiring Rep. Steve Andersson (R-Geneva) in the 65th District, said it didn’t take any great concentrated effort to bring the bill down.

“It simply did not have enough support to pass,” Ugaste said, adding that his entire campaign is based on a platform of greater fiscal responsibility and pro-business reforms.

Ugaste, who finished third to Andersson in a 2014 run, said where things go from here with HB2394 remains somewhat of a mystery. “Many bills that fail are reintroduced, but I do not know if the current sponsors have plans,” he said.

Meanwhile, supporters of the bill continue to argue that it is revenue neutral and would not require the state to appropriate additional resources or funding.

Current law also allows state universities to offer scholarship funds from the contributions of private donors to undocumented students.

The 65th District includes Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Pingree Grove, Gilberts, Wayne, Elgin, South Elgin, Hampshire and Huntley.