Joint task force hears testimony on community college issues         

[NOV. 15, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- The legislative joint task force formed to study Illinois community colleges took testimony on several hot-button community college issues on Tuesday in the third of four scheduled hearings. The hearing was at the Stratton Office Building.

Witnesses included Stanley O. Ikenberry, former president of the University of Illinois and former president of the American Council on Education. Ikenberry addressed the state of higher education in Illinois.

Michael Brody, the assistant deputy for homeland security market development at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, spoke on homeland security issues and training. The Illinois Community College Board recently formed a Homeland Security Committee to study on-campus preparedness on community college campuses.

Joint task force members heard information on a new community economic impact study being conducted by researchers from Northern Illinois University. Diana Robinson, John Baj and Matthew Eskew, all researchers with NIU, spoke on the manner in which their study is being conducted and give preliminary data on their findings.

Task force members heard reports on baccalaureate access, and a time for public comment was also allotted.

The joint task force is co-chaired by state Sen. Jacqueline Collins, D-Chicago, and state Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Des Plaines. Task force members representing the Republicans are Sen. David Luechtefeld and Rep. Sandra Pihos. Other members include representatives of groups within the community college system and the private sector.

The joint task force was created by House Joint Resolution 122 for reviewing the community college system and making recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the demands on the system and the role it will play in the future. The final report is due to the General Assembly before the next legislative session.

The Illinois Community College System is the third-largest community college system in the nation and comprises 48 community colleges in 39 districts covering all of Illinois. Illinois community colleges annually serve approximately a million students in college transfer courses, work force development, continuing education and adult education programs.

The Illinois Community College Board is the state coordinating board for community colleges. It comprises a chairman and 10 other members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, and a nonvoting student member appointed by the Student Advisory Committee.

[Illinois Community College Board news release]