Illinois senator introduces legislation to make textbooks more affordable

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) has introduced legislation to make textbooks free and accessible to students, professors and the public.

The U.S. Senate Democratic Whip is teaming up with U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) to help manage the cost of textbooks.

The Affordable College Textbook Act would support the expansion and creation of open college textbooks through a grant program. The textbooks would be available under an open license, which would allow anyone to access the material for free.

Specifically, the act would:

• Authorize a grant program, similar to the Open Textbook Pilot program for which Congress already has appropriated $54 million and saved students more than $250 million.  The grant would support projects at colleges to create and expand the use of open textbooks, with priority for programs that would achieve the highest savings for students;
• Ensure that any open textbooks or educational materials created using program funds would be free and easily accessible to the public;
• Require entities who receive funds to complete a report on the effectiveness of the program in achieving savings for students;
• Improve and update existing requirements for publishers and institutions that provide information on textbook costs, including new disclosure requirements to students on how companies providing digital materials may use student data; and
• Require the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress with an update on the price trends of college textbooks.

According to a news release from Durbin’s office, textbook cost can be a barrier to students pursuing a college education. The average student at a four-year university spent $1,290 on college books and supplies during the 2024 academic year.

“It’s no secret that college is expensive.  On top of the rising cost of tuition, students are expected to shell out additional dollars to purchase expensive, required textbooks for their coursework,” Durbin said. “Open textbooks are a tried and true way to save students money while ensuring they have access to quality instructional materials. I’m introducing the Affordable College Textbook Act again to support students pursuing higher education.”

This legislation expands on Durbin’s College Textbook Affordability Act from the 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act. It required textbook publishers to inform faculty of the cost of their textbook, required schools to publish the textbook price in course catalogues and also required publishers to offer unbundled materials. It took effect in 2010.

U.S. Representative Joe Neguse (D-CO-02) will introduce companion legislation in the House.