SB2846 Summary

• Amends the Private College Act and Academic Degree Act to create exemptions for nonprofit religious institutions owned and operated by bona fide churches, religious denominations, or multi-denominational religious organizations that are lawfully incorporated as nonprofit religious corporations.

• Exempt religious institutions may only offer degrees and diplomas in the beliefs, principles, and practices of their church or religious organization, and are prohibited from awarding degrees in secular areas of study.

• All degrees and diplomas granted by exempt institutions must display the statement "Not Approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education" on their face under the degree title, and student handbooks must include a similar disclaimer.

• Exempt institutions must annually file evidence with the Board demonstrating their status as nonprofit religious corporations under the Religious Corporation Act.

• Effective date: July 1, 2014.