Lawmaker blasts reports of ‘equitable assessments’ at medical school
[June 08, 2026]
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – Illinois State Rep. Bill Hauter, a Republican
physician and graduate of the University of Illinois College of
Medicine, sharply criticized reports that the school is promoting
“equitable assessments” in medical education.
He called the approach “outrageous,” “unconstitutional,” and dangerous
to the medical profession.
The comments came in response to a Campus Reform report alleging that
the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago is encouraging
professors to adopt “equitable assessments” that emphasize students’
backgrounds, identities, and learning processes over traditional grading
metrics and clinical performance.
“Well, I hope it’s not true, and if it is, it’s embarrassing,” Hauter
said. “It’s my medical school.”
The University of Illinois College of Medicine has not immediately
responded to The Center Square’s request for comment.
Hauter argued that diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives — which
he repeatedly referred to as “DEI” — have already influenced medical
school admissions and warned that extending those principles into
grading and evaluations could undermine standards for future physicians.
“It is the worst thing you can do in the ultimate merit-based
profession, where people’s lives are at stake,” Hauter said. “Competency
in medicine has to be based on merit.”
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According to Hauter, medical education should remain grounded in
measurable academic and clinical standards, including anatomy,
physiology, science comprehension, board exam performance, and
bedside manner.
“These are all measured variables that don’t have anything to do
with the color of your skin or what protected class you are,” he
said. “No one would want their physician educated and credentialed
according to the color of their skin.”
Hauter contrasted the reported policies with his own experience in
medical school.
“Once you got into medical school, everybody was equal,” he said.
“You’re graded and judged by your clinical acumen, your test scores,
your ability to understand the material.”
The lawmaker also argued that public universities receiving taxpayer
funding have an obligation to prioritize merit-based education.
“Every patient has a right to expect their physician has been
educated according to standards based on merit,” Hauter said. “Only
the best survive.”
Campus Reform reported that University of Illinois faculty materials
encourage “equitable assessments” that focus more heavily on
students’ learning experiences and barriers rather than solely on
traditional grading outcomes.
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