State universities in Illinois will no longer be able to use outside firms in most hiring searches.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law Saturday to limit the practice as a way to save money.

Starting next year, public universities will have to rely on their own personnel to cast a net for top talent. Outside firms will only be allowed in the hiring of university presidents or when a current president and board of trustees can demonstrate a need for such services.

Search firms can charge hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Quinn says Illinois wants the best talent but that "recruiting should not come at the expense of the education of our students."

The law goes into effect Jan. 1. Universities have six months from that date to implement it.