HR0732 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0732 LRB099 13997 GRL 38013 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois General Assembly are pleased to recognize the Illinois Community College System on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The 48 community colleges within 39 districts in Illinois serve nearly one million students taking credit, non-credit, and community education courses each year; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Community College System is the third largest in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Nine out of 10 Illinois community college graduates remain in Illinois after graduation to live, work, pay taxes, and raise their families; and

WHEREAS, The benefits of earning an associate's degree or long-term certificate from an Illinois community college translates to an average of more than $570,000 in lifetime earnings; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 74% of Illinois employers have hired a community college student; and

WHEREAS, Illinois community colleges have partnered with local school districts to offer 8,780 dual credit courses to 82,895 high school students; and

WHEREAS, The colleges within the Illinois Community College System share a common mission to prepare people for college and the workforce, to transfer to other colleges and universities, and to continually respond to the communities they serve through adult literacy and continuing education services; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Governor Rauner for his proclamation of July 15, 2015 through July 15, 2016 as The Year of the Community College, recognize the Illinois Community College System on its rich 50 years of history, and wish it success and prosperity in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Illinois Community College Board as a symbol of our esteem and respect.