In 1965, the Illinois General Assembly established the Illinois Community College Board to create a system of public community colleges that would be within easy reach of every resident. More than 50 years later, the Illinois Community College System covers the entire state with 48 colleges and one multi-community college center in 39 community college districts. Community colleges serve nearly one million Illinois residents each year in credit and noncredit courses and many more through their public service programs.
Community colleges are similar to each other and yet each college is unique. While this may appear to be a contradiction, it is not. Illinois community colleges share a common mission. They prepare people for college, for transfer to other colleges or universities, and for good paying jobs that demand high skills. Community colleges also provide adult literacy and continuing education and services. What makes each college unique is how the college responds to the communities it serves.
The Illinois Community College System is coordinated by the Illinois Community College Board comprised of citizens appointed by the Governor. Locally elected boards of trustees* set policies that guide their colleges in achieving local and statewide goals. Within the System, organized groups represent students, faculty, trustees, staff, administrators, and college presidents, and all of these groups are actively involved in the decision-making process for the System. Colleges meet both local and statewide needs for education and workforce development through high-quality, affordable, accessible, and cost-effective programs and services.
*The Board of Trustees of the City Colleges of Chicago is appointed by the Mayor of Chicago.
ICCB Mission Statement
- To administer the Public Community College Act in a manner that maximizes the ability of the community colleges to serve their communities.
- To promote cooperation within the system and accommodate those state of Illinois initiatives that are appropriate for community colleges.
- To be accountable to the students, employers, lawmakers, and taxpayers of Illinois.
- To provide high-quality, accessible, cost-effective educational opportunities for the individuals and communities they serve.
ICCB Board Goals
The Illinois Community College Board hereby affirms the mission of the state’s 48 community colleges to provide all Illinois residents with opportunities for economic and personal growth, civic engagement, and cultural awareness through a commitment to the following three goals.
- GOAL 1: Support minority, first generation, and low-income students across urban, rural, and suburban communities, through the promotion of evidence-based best practices that results in system wide improvement of equity metrics that reduce equity gaps.
- GOAL 2: Support a seamless transition for students into and through postsecondary education and the workforce by fostering system engagement and equitable access and outcomes for these students.
- GOAL 3: Contribute to economic development by supporting the Illinois community college system’s effort to provide robust workforce training, to expand apprenticeships, to increase credential attainment, to build quality career pathways, and to address the future needs of the Illinois workforce.
The Board will implement its goals with a focus and commitment to equitable access, opportunities, and outcomes for all students. The Board will promote best practices, enable evidence-based decision-making, and support system-wide continuous improvement.
Alignment with Education and Workforce Initiatives
- Complete College America Co‐Requisite to Scale Project
- Transitional Math Pathways Project
- Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Youth
- IL Workforce Education Strategic Plan
- IL Adult Education Strategic Plan
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act – IL Unified Plan
- IL Postsecondary Report Card