Little has been heard about Governor JB Pritzker’s idea to allow community colleges to provide four-year degrees.
This, from the Illinois Freedom Caucus, adds some detail:
IL Freedom Caucus Proposes Changes To SB1988, Community College Baccalaureate Bill
Springfield- In February, Governor Pritzker revealed a policy initiative that would allow community colleges to offer certain baccalaureate programs.
In the following months, many conversations have taken place on this issue between higher education and community college officials, faculty, students, and our voters.
The Freedom Caucus’ position on this policy idea has always been that no matter what, taxpayers must be protected.
Last week Amendment #2 to SB1988 was filed, gutting the previous bill and adding the language for these programs. While we are open to the overall goal of this bill, we cannot support this legislation without the following changes:
- Removal of Unnecessary DEI Language
- Requiring community college districts to pass a referendum to create these new programs
- Restrict Community Colleges from being able to raise their property tax levy at any rate higher than the rate of increase of the three years prior to beginning CCBA programs for 5 years
It is our understanding that these changes will not prevent community colleges from successfully administering baccalaureate programs, and this language simply adds protections for taxpayers in the law.
