JJC Board Approves Student Trustee Quorum Policy Amid Heated Debate

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | September 2025

Article Summary
The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees passed a controversial policy change allowing the student trustee to be counted for quorum purposes in committee meetings, following a contentious debate over its legality and appropriateness. The measure passed 6-1, with Trustee Maureen Broderick arguing it violates the Illinois Community College Act, a claim the college’s attorney refuted.

JJC Board Policy Key Points:

• The board approved Policy 01.27.00, which allows the student trustee to count toward a quorum in advisory committee meetings.

• Trustee Maureen Broderick voted against the measure, citing a letter from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and opinions from other colleges.

• College attorney Brian Kopman stated the act does not regulate committee composition and the board has the authority to set its own governance policies.

• The debate highlighted ongoing friction on the board regarding governance and procedure.

JOLIET, Il. – A heated debate over the role of the student trustee culminated in the Joliet Junior College (JJC) board’s approval of a new policy that supporters say honors the student voice, but which a dissenting trustee claims violates state law.

By a 6-1 vote on September 10, the board approved a second reading of Policy 01.27.00, which formally allows the student trustee to be counted when establishing a quorum for board committees. Trustee Maureen Broderick cast the lone dissenting vote, launching a prolonged and passionate argument against the policy.

“You are now, if you’re going to vote for this, going to be the only college that’s going to violate the Illinois State Statute and the Illinois Community College Trustees Act,” Broderick warned her colleagues, stating she had researched over 20 other Illinois community colleges, none of which have a similar policy. She threatened to file a complaint, calling the issue an “ethics act violation.”

Supporters of the policy vehemently pushed back. “It comes across as diminishing the voice of our student population,” said Trustee Elaine Bottomley. “The insensitivity in which this is talked about is embarrassing. Be better. Act better. Be respectful.”

Student Trustee Brenton Bishop added, “To continuously hear that their voice is less than because we are not elected is absolutely unfair.”

When asked for a legal opinion, college attorney Brian Kopman clarified the board’s authority. “There is nothing in the public community college act that directs what a board is to do when it comes to committees,” Kopman stated. “The act allows you to set up policies for the governance of this board… I think the board has the authority to adopt this policy.”

The discussion was part of a broader conflict during the meeting, which began when Broderick protested that several items she requested, including a discussion of her “good standing” status and the trustee travel budget, had been left off the agenda by Chairman Jim Budzinski.