Meeting Summary and Briefs: Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Workshop for January 28, 2026

JJC Trustees Workshop Meeting | January 28, 2026

The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees convened for a workshop session on Wednesday to discuss the institution’s long-term financial health and legislative priorities. The meeting was dominated by a presentation on the FY2027-2029 financial plan, which spurred a debate over a proposed tuition hike. Trustees scrutinized the administration’s proposal to raise tuition by $3 per credit hour, asking for detailed data on enrollment trends and alternative cost-saving measures.

Additionally, the board received an update from their lobbying firm, Point of Difference Strategies, regarding efforts to secure funding for capital projects like the Public Safety Institute and the Grundy County campus.

Trustees Take Oath of Office:
Justice John Anderson of the Illinois Appellate Court administered the oath of office to the current Board of Trustees. While the trustees were already seated, Board Attorney Brian Kopman explained that a recent amendment to the Public Community College Act requires all trustees to be sworn in. To ensure full compliance with the new statute, the sitting board took the oath again. Justice Anderson is a JJC alumnus.

Classroom Utilization Report:
During discussions on efficiency, Dr. Yolanda Farmer detailed how the college tracks classroom usage. She explained that while hallways may appear empty in the afternoons, data shows classrooms are heavily utilized between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and again in the evenings. “We cannot get students to enroll in those [afternoon] classes,” Farmer said, noting that low-enrolled sections are cancelled to maintain fiscal responsibility.

Federal Shutdown Watch:
Lobbyist David Adeleye warned the board that the federal government is officially on “shutdown watch” as Congress has not yet reached a consensus on appropriations for the Department of Education. He assured the board that federal student aid processing is typically deemed essential and should remain unaffected even if a shutdown occurs.

Bachelor’s Degree Legislation:
The board discussed the ongoing push to allow community colleges in Illinois to offer bachelor’s degrees in specific applied fields. Maria Martinez confirmed that while the legislation did not pass in the last session, it remains a priority on the agenda. President Namuo noted that resources have been allocated in the budget to support this exploration once authorized.