IL HR0333

America's first public community college was established in Joliet in 1901, and Illinois now operates 48 public community colleges serving 853,524 students as the third largest community college system in the nation.

The Illinois Community College System awarded 69,812 degrees and certificates in Fiscal Year 2014, with 19,524 Baccalaureate/Transfer degrees, but the transfer rate into 4-year institutions is only about 37%.

The Illinois Articulation Initiative lacks uniformity, as participating colleges and universities each maintain their own set of transferable credits, causing community college students to waste time and money when credits do not transfer.

Urges all public and private colleges and universities in Illinois to strengthen the Illinois Articulation Initiative to create greater uniformity in community college transferable credit allowances.

Calls on the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Community College Board, and Illinois State Board of Education to collaborate on creating more uniform transfer credit allowances between community colleges and 4-year institutions.