Call for Public Comment and Endorsement: Statement on the Need for Funding for Open Education in Illinois

CARLI Statement on the Need for Funding for Open Education in Illinois

We believe that statewide support for Open Education is vital to the success and sustainability of higher education. It eliminates barriers to access, builds opportunities for student engagement and faculty agency, and improves teaching and learning in Illinois.

The cost of course materials is undermining student success. It has become an equity issue because students do not have equal access to courses if they are unable to afford textbooks. According to the National Course Materials Survey 2023, more than half of college students have taken fewer courses or avoided registering for a specific course due to the cost of course materials, including textbooks.[1] The Consortium of Academic & Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) administered a survey to Illinois higher education students in 2023 and many of the comments indicated that students are making difficult choices between purchasing textbooks or purchasing other necessities, such as food, housing, or medication.[2] Other comments suggested that students are experiencing significant stress due to their financial situation, and the costs of course materials add to the stress. The Illinois General Assembly and federal legislators have expressed strong support for reducing the cost of textbooks and other course materials.[3] Similarly, faculty and instructors are intensely interested in promoting Open Educational Resources (OER); they see firsthand the impact of textbook costs on their students.

With OER, students have day-one access to materials, which keeps students that cannot afford traditional instructional materials, like textbooks, from falling behind in their coursework. Further, OER can improve student success, particularly amongst groups that are most negatively impacted by the rising cost of instructional materials. Research from a recent article on the impact of OER in the International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education indicates that moving from commercial textbooks to OER can improve grades, as well as decrease drop, failure, and withdrawal rates for students, with disproportionately positive effects on Pell eligible students.[4]

Open Education presents opportunities for rich learning experiences for students and increased freedom for instructors. Due to the open licensing attached to OER, instructors have the ability to edit and modify content to incorporate up-to-date information in their fields, add material that brings the local context into instruction, and can allow them to add and eliminate subject matter as needed to meet the learning goals of the course. Flexible Open Pedagogical practices can bring students into the realm of OER as authors in the discipline of study, such as generating new or updating existing OER content as part of their coursework. This gives students the opportunity to see themselves as researchers and creators of academic content that is not only valuable to their peers in class but is open and available to a worldwide audience. It also provides opportunities for students to have research and publishing experience for their portfolios upon graduation.

Benefits of Open Educational Resources and Practice

Open Education is about more than cost savings—it is about empowering students and faculty by creating collaborative learning environments that promote engagement, invite innovation, and build a sense of belonging.

Advantages include:

• Expanded access to learning - Students can access OERs at any time, and they can access the material repeatedly in formats that are effective for all learners.
• Augmentation of class materials - OERs can supplement textbooks and lectures where deficiencies in information are evident.
• Enhancement of regular course content - Information presented in multiple formats may help students to more easily learn the material being taught.
• Showcasing of innovation and talent - A wide audience may learn of faculty research interests and expertise. Potential students and donors may be impressed, and student and faculty recruitment efforts may be enhanced.
• Continually improved resources - Unlike traditional textbooks and other static sources of information, OERs can be updated quickly. Instructors can take an existing OER, adapt it for a class, and make the modified OER available for others to use.
• Co-creation - Instructors can incorporate students’ diverse perspectives and experiences so that they move beyond being consumers of knowledge and become collaborators in teaching and learning.[5]

Request for support

Illinois has been a leader in Open Education, and librarians at Illinois higher education institutions have committed to collaborating with faculty, students, administrators, and other partners to reduce the cost and increase the accessibility and inclusivity of textbooks and other course materials. Colleges and universities across the state have been making the most of existing forms of support for OER work. The U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education Open Textbooks Pilot Program funded the CARLI Illinois SCOERs (Support for Creation of Open Educational Resources) grant which has produced innovative instructional materials for a variety of disciplines that will benefit students across the state. In FY24, the state of Illinois provided $3 million to the Secretary of State in support of OER. CARLI worked with the Illinois State Library to administer the funds, resulting in the creation of 128 OER. Numerous proposals were not funded and many more institutions in Illinois require external support to cultivate Open Educational initiatives on their campuses before they can undertake OER creation.

Funding Open Education is a good investment. Research conducted by Student PIRGs shows that pandemic-era OER grant programs in the US and British Columbia resulted in $2.5 million in student savings; further, this 2023 report suggests that “Every dollar invested in OER Grants can save students $10 - $20.”[6]

Support could be used for:

• Authoring – Creating and adopting a substantially new open textbook or open course where it is possible to demonstrate that quality resources are not currently available to meet learning objectives.
• Revising/Remixing – Adapting existing OER with major revisions or developing custom course content from multiple Open Educational Resources and original open content to support learning objectives not met by existing open resources.
• Creating Ancillaries – Adopting existing OER and creating ancillaries such as quiz banks, lecture slides, or lab manuals.
• Updating – Updating and adopting existing OER that requires minor editing for currency, relevance, or accessibility, without major changes to the content or structure.
• Training – Support for the use, adaptation, or creation of OER for librarians, faculty, and staff, as well as outreach and internal award program funding.

Colleges and universities across the state want to adopt, adapt, and create OER and ancillaries so they can recruit, retain, and support students through graduation and provide them with the critical skills Illinoisans need to thrive in the 21st century. Continued funding opportunities from the state are essential to keep this vital work progressing.

The CARLI OER Committee members request that the state supports Illinois students through funding used to educate, train, and support faculty in selecting, using, and creating OER and implementing Open Educational practices. An allocation of $3 million in FY26 would enable Illinois higher education institutions to work toward building robust Open Educational programs and expand the library of Illinois-created OER that can be used to ensure that students in the state’s colleges and universities can flourish and meet their academic and career goals.

On behalf of the CARLI OER Committee

Dee Anna Phares, CARLI OER Committee Co-chair

Jayna Leipart Guttilla, CARLI OER Committee Co-chair

[1] Bay View Analytics. (2023). National survey on student course material affordability, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.bayviewanalytics.com/reports/student_course_material_affordability.html

[2] The “2023 Illinois course materials survey: Student perspective report” created by CARLI © 2024 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois System and is licensed under a CC-BY 4.0 International.

[3] College Course Materials Affordability and Equitable Access (CCM) Task Force. (2023, March 1). Illinois college course materials affordability and equitable access collaborative study. Retrieved from https://www.isac.org/e-library/research-policy-analysis/Task-Forces-Working-Groups/CCM-Task-Force/Documents/IL-CCM-Task-Force-Rpt-FINAL03012023.pdf; SPARC. (2025, February 26). Affordable College Textbook Act reintroduced in U.S. Congress. Retrieved from https://sparcopen.org/news/2025/affordable-college-textbook-act-reintroduced-in-u-s-congress/

[4] Colvard, N. B., Watson, C. E., & Park, H. (2018). The impact of Open Educational Resources on various student success metrics. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 30(2), 262-76. Retrieved from https://www.isetl.org/ijtlhe/ijtlhe-issue.php?v=30&n=2&y=2018

[5] Adapted from Pennsylvania State University. (n.d.) Benefits of using OER. OER and low-cost materials at Penn State. https://oer.psu.edu/benefits-of-using-oer/

[6] Xie, D. (2023). Open textbooks: The billion dollar solution (2nd ed.). Student PIRGs https://studentpirgs.org/campaigns/make-textbooks-affordable/

• Adler University

  • I'm submitting Adler University's support for CARLI's statement on the need for funding for open education in Illinois. Ariel Orlov, Adler University

• Benedictine University

  • Open Education is the future of Illinois higher education, especially for lower level college courses. I fully affirm and recognize this need as a high priority for higher educational institutions. Joy Matteson, Benedictine University

• City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J. DAley College

  • Open Education funding is paramount to student success, and having an educated and able Illinois public. Valerie Neylon, Richard J. Daley College

• Cook County College Teachers Union 1600 IFT-AFT

  • The Cook County College Teachers Union strongly endorses CARLI’s statement on Open Educational Resources (OER) and the ongoing efforts to expand their use in Illinois. For many community college students, the high cost of textbooks forces painful choices between purchasing course materials and paying for essentials like rent, food, and transportation. OER offers a powerful solution—eliminating these costs and advancing the equity mission at the heart of community colleges, where access to education must be available to all. These resources are not only free—they are high quality, faculty-driven, and adaptable to meet diverse student needs. Illinois has made meaningful investments in OER, and the results are already making a difference. We urge the state to continue this momentum and ensure all colleges have the support they need to build and sustain strong OER programs. Troy Swanson, Cook County College Teachers Union 1600 IFT-AFT; Lesa Hildebrand, M.Ed., M.A., Secretary, Cook County College Teachers Union, Local 1600 IFT-AFT

• Elgin Community College

  • Access to open education resources is imperative to cutting costs for higher education students, as this is a strategic goal at Elgin Community College. This funding is crucial to furthering this endeavor. Shannon Pohrte, Elgin Community College

• Eureka College

  • I hope that support for OER continues in the future, as it is an essential tool for improving equity in higher education. Kelly Fisher, Eureka College

• Field Museum of Natural History

  • On behalf of the Field Museum's Marie Louise Rosenthal Library, I endorse the CARLI OER Committee's Statement on the Need for Funding for Open Education in Illinois. Investment in Open Educational Resources will lead to more engaged learners and educators and demonstrate Illinois' commitment to equity in education. Elizabeth McKinley, Field Museum of Natural History

• Governors State University

  • I endorse the CARLI OER Committee’s Statement on the Need for Funding for Open Education in Illinois. Jan Figa, Governors State University

• Greenville University

  • High-quality OER is vital to addressing the high cost of traditional instructional materials as a barrier to student success. Making funding opportunities available for faculty and curriculum designers to develop and promote them will vastly improve outcomes for Illinois educators and learners. Michelle L. Thole, Greenville University

• Highland Community College

  • Funding to support the continued creation and use of OER for Illinois students is critical. Laura Watson, Highland Community College

• Illinois Wesleyan University

  • On behalf of the library faculty and staff at The Ames Library at Illinois Wesleyan University, I endorse CARLI's statement and support for additional funding for open education. Stephanie Davis-Kahl, Illinois Wesleyan University

• Millikin University

  • OER support course affordability, accessibility, and student engagement. They reduce barriers to the success of students who otherwise wouldn't enroll in typically high cost academic programs (often for professions needed in today's workforce, like nursing) or purchase a textbook they can't afford. Illinios state funding support for OER is crucial to incentivize the growth of OER and Open Education in Illinois. Amanda Pippitt, Millikin University

• Monmouth College

  • I fully support CARLI's position on OER. Continued funding is so important for students who struggle to be able to afford textbooks and other educational materials. Sarah Henderson, Monmouth College

• North central College

  • There have been multiple studies for years that have all said the same thing: the cost of textbooks has a significant impact to student success and well being. We have a solution to that problem: OER. Even a small amount of investment in OER books and materials makes an exponential impact on the success and retention of students. Michelle Boule Smith, North Central College

• North Park University

  • The State Library's OER grant program has allowed our faculty at North Park to create new course material on anatomy, statistics, and diversity practices in human resources. This program helps close the gap in access to higher education and is funding new scholarship. Matthew J. Ostercamp, North Park University

• Oakton College

  • As the cost of higher education continues to skyrocket, and federal support to students and institutions of higher education has never been more in doubt, it is absolutely critical to find innovative, sustainable methods to keep college accessible for students. OER both provides an innovative, cost-effective solution to the rising cost of higher education, while still providing high quality resources that support student success and faculty's academic freedom. Oakton College wholly endorses this statement on the Need for Funding for Open Education in Illinois. Jacob Jeremiah, Oakton College

• Prairie State College

  • Statewide investment in Open Educational Resources (OER) is essential to ensuring equitable access to higher education in Illinois. By funding the creation and expansion of OER, the state can remove financial barriers that disproportionately affect low-income students, improve student success rates, and empower faculty with adaptable, high-quality instructional materials. Continued state support will not only enhance affordability but also drive innovation in teaching and learning, strengthening Illinois’ higher education system for the future. William Condon, Prairie State College

• Quincy University

  • I support the efforts of CARLI in promoting access to and use of OER in Illinois institutions. Katie Kraushaar, Quincy University

• Rockford University

  • As an academic librarian, I see firsthand how expensive textbooks are a real barrier for students. Too many have to choose between buying textbooks and covering other essentials, which shouldn't be the case for those seeking an education. Funding OER initiatives is a practical, meaningful step toward making education more affordable and accessible in Illinois. Stephanie Nissen, Rockford University

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale

  • This funding will go a long way to make higher education more affordable. Textbook prices ofter are the final straw that causes students to end their college career. John H. Pollitz, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

• Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

  • The benefits of OER are clear and I fully endorse CARLI's statement on the need for funding for OER in Illinois. Geoff Pettys, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

• Trinity Christian College

  • Trinity Christian benefitted from this state funding this past year and we have additional projects that were not funded. We believe this is a worthwhile investment in providing fair and equitable resources for not only our students, but potentially all Illinois students. Kyle McCarrell, Trinity Christian College

• UNiversity of Illinois Springfield

  • The ability to attain and access affordable materials for education remains an issue of equity and accessibility, and Open Educational Resources level that imbalance. Pattie Piotrowski, University of Illinois Springfield

• Waubonsee Community College

  • I support the CARLI OER Committee's statement of need for funding OER in Illinois. This is a student-focused need that Illinois libraries have made significant advances in to remove educational / financial barriers. Spencer Brayton, Waubonsee Community College

• I want to ensure that policymakers know there is statewide support for OER across higher education. Hannah Thompson, Illinois Central College
• I strongly support the CARLI Statement on the Need for Funding for Open Education in Illinois. As a librarian, and as someone who is concerned about the degradation of our institutions, the commitment to OER is more important now than ever! Ben De Biasio, Dominican University
• I fully support this! Henry Treadway, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
• Thank you for this opportunity. M-L Settem, Dominican University
• Support for OER is crucial. Rebekkah LaRue, Dominican University
• I believe the need for OER is very high and am happy to support its continued use. Bryan Clark, Illinois Central College
• Textbook costs should not be a barrier to education, and they alleviating that burden from our state's most vulnerable students will help make education more equitable. Colleen Turkal, Principia College
• Please continue to support OER initiatives if you believe in higher education. Requiring students to purchase text books results in inequity in addition to increasing costs for education. We need America to be educated! Ann Berens, Concordia University Chicago
• Open Education is important to all citizens because it removes unnecessary barriers to education and the dissemination/creation of knowledge. Charlene Snelling, Chicago State University
• Higher Education needs statewide support for Open Education. Marina Savoie, Bradley University
• I have read the CARLI OER Committee's statement on OER and I endorse CARLI's position. OER materials and state support for them are critical to the education and success of Illinois's students. Laura Guengerich, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
• I totally endorse Open Education Funding. Alex Altan, Prairie State College
• I am concerned about the current climate -- library services must be protected. Gabrielle Frigo, Dominican University
• The cost of course materials is excessive and a drain on our students. OER offers some relief. Marcus J. Hayes, Oakton College
• Please fund Open Education! John Wilmes, City Colleges of Chicago
• I once had a college president who wanted to replace the library with a computer lab. While on-line technology is great, every college in this nation needs to maintain an adequate library. Philip Stucky, City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College
• Our students have a difficult time purchasing books and supplies. Therefore, I create my own mini textbook of handouts or save students money. The CARLI OER will assist lower income students as federal funding is reduced. Rochelle Robinson-Dukes, City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College
• I am hoping to see the growth of our libraries! Aja Gorham, Triton College
• I strongly support the CARLI statement on the need for funding for open education Illinois. The cost of higher education is already a barrier to student success and to an educated citizenry. The cost of learning materials is a relevant and yet all-too-often hidden part of that barriers and OERs are an effective way to reduce it. Daniele Manni, Triton College
• I support the legislation written by Representative Norma Hernandez. Kevin Navratil, Moraine Valley Community College
• Tarana Hammond, City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College
• I endorse the CARLI OER Committee's statement and support their request for funding for open education resources. Our students need access to high-quality academic resources that do not impose or increase financial burdens. Susan Colon, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College
• I endorse the CarlI OER. Curtis Keyes, Jr., City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College