(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Gov. JB Pritzker stopped by Madison County Monday to continue to push a proposal he says will benefit both Illinois college students and businesses.
“By creating access to education, we are clearing the pathways for people to build meaningful careers and strengthening Illinois's workforce for the long haul,” Lieutenant Governor Julian Stratton said.
Stratton was among those on hand at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, where President Dr. Ken Trzaska praised the new community college baccalaureate degree program.
“Community colleges have always been ideally situated and designed to support students who balance jobs, family and financial challenges. And may not be able to transfer to a four year university due to work commitments, commuting time, or structured schedules,” Trzaska said.
The governor's proposal would give any Illinois community college the chance to offer degree programs to students.
“Workers of Illinois want to get ahead, and it's often the community college that allows them to do that. We want to make that as easy as possible,” Pritzker said.
The governor’s office says that two dozen states have policies that allow community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees.
Under the new proposal, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), and the accrediting organization associated with the degree type will review applications for proposed BA degree programs.
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