Update -- SB 1988 (Community College Baccalaureate)

FROM: ICCTA Trustees Association
UPDATED: Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 10:45 AM

As the spring legislative session concluded on May 31, Senate Bill 1988 was not called to the House floor. The initiative, introduced by Gov. JB Pritzker on February 19, advanced rapidly in the months that followed but was ultimately delayed amid end-of-session constraints. 
 
Challenges to Passage
Over the past three months, several political and procedural dynamics ultimately prevented SB 1988 from being called to the House floor:

• SB1988 went through extensive negotiations with public universities, resulting in revised language that reflected months of collaboration and compromise.
  
• The bill became entangled in broader end-of-session negotiations, as legislative priorities were shaped by budget discussions and competing demands.
  
• Members of both the Black Caucus and the Freedom Caucus raised concerns, underscoring the need for continued dialogue and clarification around the bill’s purpose, equity considerations, and long-term safeguards.
  

Progress Made
Even without a floor vote, SB 1988 made significant headway this session:

• It was included in the Governor’s legislative agenda, a key step in establishing long-term support for expanding bachelor’s degree access through community colleges.

• The bill was fully negotiated and revised, with input from universities, state agencies, and leadership in both chambers.

• Illinois community colleges, ICCTA, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Community College Marketing Collaborative stepped up in a major way—publishing op-eds, engaging local media, and leading direct conversations with legislators across the state.

• Representative Tracy Katz Muhl worked tirelessly, personally connecting with every member of the House during the final week to advocate for the bill.

 
This work has not gone unnoticed and positions the bill for a strong return in the months ahead.
 
What’s Next
The Governor’s Office remains actively committed to the goals of SB 1988, and so do we. Over the summer, we’ll regroup with ICCTA leadership, legislative champions, and policy allies to assess strategy, respond to questions raised, and identify opportunities to strengthen the coalition.
 
Our shared goal is to reintroduce the bill during the fall veto session (late October–early November). Between now and then, we’ll continue laying the groundwork, building momentum, and ensuring all stakeholders are aligned on the path forward.
 
Thank you to every community college leader, trustee, and advocate who has contributed to this effort. Your engagement has elevated the visibility and urgency of this issue in powerful ways. We look forward to continuing this work together.
 
 
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Illinois Community College Trustees Association 
401 E. Capitol Avenue, Suite 200 
Springfield, IL 62701 
217-528-2858 
www.communitycolleges.org 
 
ICCTA supports all public community college trustees through information exchange, training, and advocacy to assist them in effective leadership locally and statewide.