Illinois Code § 2

§ 2.

Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires: "Board" means the Board of Higher Education. "DFI" means the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Program of financial assistance to minorities who are traditionally underrepresented as participants in postsecondary education. The program shall assist them in pursuing a graduate or professional degree and shall also assist program graduates to find employment at an Illinois institution of higher education, including a community college, in a faculty or staff position. "Program Board" means the entity created to administer the grant program authorized by this Act. "Qualified institution of higher education" means a qualifying publicly or privately operated educational institution located within Illinois (i) that offers instruction leading toward or prerequisite to an academic or professional degree beyond the baccalaureate degree, excluding theological schools, and (ii) that is authorized to operate in the State of Illinois. "Racial minority" means a person who is a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident of the United States and who is any of the following: (1) American Indian or Alaska Native (a person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America, including Central America, and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment). (2) Asian (a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, but not limited to, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam). (3) Black or African American (a person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa). (4) Hispanic or Latino (a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race). (5) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands). (Source: P.A. 102-465, eff. 1-1-22; 102-1030, eff. 5-27-22.)