Turner joins leaders to highlight investments in community colleges

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner joined state and local officials at Lincoln Land Community College to emphasize the importance of investing in Illinois’ community colleges at a press conference on Wednesday.

“Community colleges can be a much-needed step for students before attending a four-year university,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Lincoln Land Community College is known for setting students up to succeed. Increasing investments in Illinois’ community colleges is vital for students to engage in more workforce training and development programs, allowing them to get a good paying job in the future.”

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Senator Koehler visits Heartland Community College to discuss increased investments in higher education

BLOOMINGTON – State Senator Dave Koehler stood alongside school faculty and community leaders at Heartland Community College Tuesday to discuss proposed investments to higher education.

“Increased investments toward our community colleges give Illinoisans the opportunity to pursue their education here, making it possible for residents to receive their degree and find high paying jobs in central Illinois,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By making college more affordable, Illinois is painting a brighter future for our future workforce.” 

The governor’s introduced budget proposes an additional $100 million investment toward Monetary Award Program grants, as well as an additional $20 million investment toward community colleges throughout the state. Heartland Community College is home to over 13,000 students, with one out of every five receiving a MAP grant. With this increase and the additional availability of Pell Grants and scholarships, virtually all community college students at or below the median income level could go to community college free-of-charge.

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Senator Fine advocates for universities to provide more accessibility resources to students with disabilities

SPRINGFIELD – To make the transition to higher education smoother for students with disabilities, State Senator Laura Fine is sponsoring The Removing Barriers to Higher Education Act. This legislation will make it more convenient for students to provide documentation to the school to demonstrate that they have a disability.

“Under current law, students may have to undergo costly assessments to prove they qualify for disability services in college,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This initiative will allow students to save time and money by allowing them to submit documentation of accommodations that they received during their K-12 years.”

Senate Bill 99 would establish a process for students with disabilities to receive reasonable accommodations from public universities and colleges.  This measure defines the types of documents that state universities must accept as proof of a disability, including previous diagnostic testing or other recent documents. From this information, colleges and universities could provide reasonable accommodations that they deem to be appropriate for the student requesting the services. This will ensure that students will receive the support they need to thrive in higher education.

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Pacione-Zayas encourages expansion of community schools

SPRINGFIELD – In collaboration with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, State Senator Cristina H. Pacione-Zayas introduced new legislation to clarify and expand offerings and funding for community schools in Illinois, ensuring that innovative community education models can reach more geographies.

“As a former community schools director, I can testify to the numerous benefits community schools yield for students, their families, and communities at large. Thriving communities have strong neighborhood schools that extend their walls into the neighborhood,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago). “Community schools complement formal schooling by providing out of school time programming including arts enrichment, homework help, leadership development, sports, and adult education. The positive impact can be transformational for young people and an entire community. This initiative will support greater access to students and families across Illinois.”

Community schools are schools that cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships between the school and other community resources to promote student achievement, positive learning conditions, and the well-being of students through wraparound services. Senate Bill 2391 adds language about a designated program coordinator and articulates types of wrap-around services that could be offered in a community school.

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