For your consideration, here are the 2012 legislative goals of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. Association dues come from local property tax dollars. McHenry County College Trustees are members.

1. Protect local control of community colleges. A 2007Judicial Circuit Court decision reaffirmed the concept that community colleges are units of local government with locally elected or appointed governing boards. ICCTA will continue to protect local control of community colleges and oppose any legislation that infringes on this authority.
2. Provide full and equitable FY2013 funding for community college operations.  ICCTA works to secure the best state funding support that is possible. Since Fiscal Year 2002, the community college system has experienced significant reductions in state support. In addition, suburban “collar county” colleges are seeking relief from local property tax caps, which have hindered their ability to raise needed operating revenue.
3. Continue capital construction program for higher education. The first capital construction program in nearly a decade was approved by the Illinois General Assembly for FY 2010. Community colleges were approved for 35 projects totaling $358 million in state-funded construction. Projects must now be bonded, released and constructed. ICCTA will pursue FY 2013 capital construction projects. Community colleges have capital needs that are approaching $1 billion statewide.
4. Restore funding for the Monetary Award Program. The Monetary Award Program (MAP) is operated by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to provide need-based grants to students. Demand for the MAP program is increasing at an unprecedented rate. In FY 2011, MAP received $420 million in funding but needs $100 million more to keep up with demand.
5. Restore funding and support additional growth in adult education programs.  ICCTA promotes initiatives to improve funding for adult education programs. The immediate goal is to restore state support that has been reduced owing to state budget issues. Over one million people in Illinois qualify for adult education services.
6. Protect and fully fund the College Insurance Program for community college retirees ICCTA worked to create the College Insurance Program (CIP), a successful health-insurance program for Illinois community college retirees. More work needs to be done to tell legislators of the need to improve access and fully fund the CIP for all community college retirees and their dependents.
7. Insure adequate funding levels for current public pension and health insurance plans
8. Meet and educate candidates for the Illinois General Assembly and U.S. Congress.  Many candidates for the November 2012 elections are new to the legislative process and unfamiliar with community colleges. Comprehensive efforts by trustees and presidents should be continued to meet and educate legislative memberships regarding community college issues and needs.
9. Support 100% funding of Illinois Veterans Grants. ICCTA supports full funding of this program, especially in light of the number of student soldiers returning from overseas.
10. Support automatic transfer of community college credits to four-year universities
11. Support Associate Degree Nursing programs. ICCTA strongly supports community college Associate Degree Nursing programs and opposes attempts to implement