Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB1434

Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that the Board of Trustees of Community College District No. 512 may create a pilot baccalaureate program under which the district may establish and offer bachelor's degrees in 2 fields of study if certain conditions are met, including requiring (i) that the degree programs not compete with any nearby public university, (ii) that the district identify and document unmet workforce needs, (iii) that the degree programs not require any additional funding from local taxes or the State, (iv) that the Illinois Community College Board and the Board of Higher Education approve the offering of the degree programs, and (v) that the pilot program expire 4 years after the initial offering of the degree programs, unless otherwise extended by law. Effective immediately.

Provides that public and private universities and colleges in this State (instead of just public universities) have the right of first refusal; makes related changes. Provides that the right of first refusal also applies to the offering of the baccalaureate degree programs on a community college extension site. Provides that if there is a disagreement on whether the university or college program meets local workforce needs, a 5-person panel shall be appointed to determine if the university's or college's proposed program on the community college campus or extension site reasonably meets local workforce needs. Provides that the degree programs must also not require any additional funding from Community College District No. 512 students not enrolled in the pilot program. Provides that at the completion of the Community College District No. 512 pilot program, the Illinois Auditor General shall conduct an audit to determine if any funding for the pilot program was provided by local taxes, the State, or the community college students not enrolled in the program. Removes a reference to the Illinois Community College Board with respect to approving the offering of the degree programs. Provides that the Board of Higher Education's approval of the offering of the degree programs must be in a manner consistent with approving new bachelor's degree programs at all State public universities. Adds as a program condition that credits obtained by any student in the pilot program prior to the sunset date shall be automatically transferable to any public or private university or college offering the same or a similar program. Provides that the intention of the amendatory Act is to allow Community College District No. 512 to meet specific, documented workforce needs in the district that no public or private university or college is willing and able to reasonably meet. Prohibits Community College District No. 512 from becoming a primarily baccalaureate degree-granting, 4-year institution of higher learning. Changes the effective date from immediate to July 1, 2008.

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