HB5536 Summary

• Amends the Public Community College Act to authorize the Illinois Community College Board to furnish information for accountability purposes, promote student and institutional improvement, and meet research needs in collaboration with community colleges.

• Changes the State Board's authority regarding contracts: instead of "participating in and recommending" approval/disapproval of contracts between community colleges and other organizations for educational services, the Board now "reviews and approves or disapproves" such contracts and may monitor performance.

• Requires each community college district board of trustees to file a written or electronic copy of its annual budget with the State Board.

• Allows out-of-district residents who graduated from recognized high schools to attend any public community college in Illinois at in-district tuition rates, with the State Board paying the difference between in-district and out-of-district tuition amounts (subject to appropriation).

• Establishes that students qualify for in-district tuition rates after meeting the 30-day residency requirement, and repeals various sections addressing indemnification, deferred maintenance grants, and other obsolete provisions.