CHICAGO (S&P Global Ratings) April 9, 2020--S&P Global Ratings revised the outlook to negative from stable and affirmed its ratings on the public universities in the state of Illinois. This action follows the recent outlook revision to negative on Illinois' (BBB-/Negative) general obligation debt outstanding (see "State Of Illinois And Related Ratings," published April 6, 2020, on RatingsDirect). In our opinion, for the rated public universities, the impact from weaker economic conditions could mean a material reduction in state funding and appropriations for higher education. Given the outlook revision on the State of Illinois to negative from stable, reflecting the economic challenges raised by shelter-in-place and other directives to protect the health and safety of individuals from the community spread