This month, Illinois becomes the first state in the U.S. to provide free comprehensive test preparation services to all students attending public universities (and five community colleges) throughout the state. And Chicago State is one of the first universities to roll out the program. The Prepare for Illinois’ Future Program is a first-of-its-kind workforce development and education initiative that removes financial barriers for students preparing for admissions and licensing exams. More than 200,000 Illinois students are now eligible to enroll in more than 40 courses at no cost to them, including graduate-level and licensing exams such as the GRE, LSAT, and NCLEX as well as courses in data analytics, cybersecurity, real estate, and more.  This program is the result of a commitment by the State of Illinois, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), and leading educational services provider, Kaplan. State Representative La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) played a key role in spearheading the bipartisan effort in Springfield to secure funding for the program within the 2024 state budget. Ultimately, this workforce initiative aims to boost in-state enrollment at public universities, create career pathways for students from underserved urban and rural communities, and address the state’s critical shortages in essential professions such as doctors, nurses, and teachers.