Illinois community colleges may be able to offer four-year bachelor's degrees in the near future, particularly in fields like nursing and technology, under pending legislation supported by Gov. JB Pritzker.
House Bill 5319 and Senate Bill 4034 are designed to increase access to affordable, career-focused education. HB5319 unanimously passed out of the House Executive Committee March 25 and moves to the Illinois House for a vote. Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth of Peoria) is the chief co-sponsor, with Rep. Ryan Spain serving as a co-sponsor.
The degrees would be limited to high-demand industries with workforce shortages, such as early childhood education, advanced manufacturing and cyber security, and community colleges would need to demonstrate unmet regional workforce needs to offer these degrees. Before offering four-year degree programs, the community colleges will be required to take part in a study about workforce needs in their area and apply to the Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois Board of Higher Education to issue degrees. Legislators are also working to make sure there are no duplicate programs at four-year universities nearby.
According to Spoon River College President Curt Oldfield, the baccalaureate degree approval would give Spoon River College and its students some options in the future.
'No current plans are in place, but if workforce needs arise, we would be able to follow the degree approval process in order to meet student and employer expectations,' Oldfield said. 'Careers are evolving quickly and this degree granting authority would allow us to be nimble and respond quickly to keep employers growing and our communities thriving.'
Sandburg Marketing Coordinator Aaron Frey added there is a lot of momentum on this issue, driven by very strong support from employers.
'Over 120 employers have added support from the state, including employers from Sandburg’s district,' Frey noted.
