By Illinois Public Radio
Springfield, IL – The Illinois House has voted to provide more transparency when it comes to the price of college textbooks.
It's not uncommon for students to pay one thousand dollars or more for books each year. House lawmakers want publishers to provide information to professors ... including differences in textbook editions.
They also want publishers to allow for books ... CD's and other materials to be purchased separately ... rather than in a prepackaged bundle.
State Representative Naomi Jakobsson says the changes will help hold the line on what students pay.
"I believe professors are interested in their students. If they know this is here, I believe many of them will look at this. This will really help our college students save some money when they're buying their textbooks."
One survey found the cost of college textbooks rising at four times the rate of inflation. The state plan ... which heads to the Illinois Senate for consideration is similar to a federal law that takes effect next year.
