Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Applying for college is no more fun than it ever was. But a bill in the Illinois Senate would set up a “direct admissions process.”

The sponsor, State Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Swansea), says his bill would grant automatic admission to public universities and community colleges for qualified students In addition to making it easier to apply to college, Belt sees this as a retention tool.

“We have so many bright, talented young people right here in Illinois, and we want them to stay here,” Belt said at a Statehouse news conference. “We want them to pursue their education in our state, to get jobs here, raise their families here, and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our communities.”

The bill awaits a floor vote in the Senate.