Meeting Summary and Briefs: Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees for February 18, 2026

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | February 18, 2026

Meeting Summary
The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, for a regular meeting dominated by financial discussions. The most significant action was the approval of a $2 per credit hour tuition increase for Fall 2026, which passed in a split 4-3 vote following intense debate regarding enrollment planning and expense management. The board also approved new administrative appointments and a federal lobbyist contract, while postponing votes on course fees and tax abatements.

News Briefs

Course Fees and Tax Abatement Votes Postponed
The Board voted to postpone two financial agenda items until the next meeting. Item 3.7, regarding the approval of course fees for Fall 2026, and Item 3.8, regarding a tax abatement for Project North Winds, were both tabled. Trustee Bottomley made the motion to postpone the fees, and Trustee Garcia Guillen moved to postpone the tax abatement. Administration confirmed that postponing the course fees vote would not impact the operational budget, as those fees go into specific course funds.

Financial Report Highlights Strength
During the financial report, Dr. Yolanda Farmer highlighted the college’s fiscal health, noting a Composite Financial Index score of 4.74, well above the 2.0 threshold required by the Higher Learning Commission. She reported that JJC maintains a double-A bond rating from S&P Global Ratings and holds operational reserves exceeding the board-mandated 25% of annual revenue.

Enrollment Records Broken
President Dr. Clyne Namuo reported that the college has broken credit hour records for the third consecutive year. According to data presented at the meeting, annual credit hours (Fall plus Spring) have risen from approximately 25,000-26,000 prior to the “12x12x12” dual credit initiative to nearly 34,000 currently. Dr. Namuo credited the $500 incentive provided by the JJC Foundation for helping attract 331 additional students through the dual credit program.

Women’s History Month Proclamation
The Board unanimously approved a proclamation designating March 2026 as Women’s History Month. The proclamation was read by JJC student Priscilla Paredes, a second-year diagnostic medical sonography student. The proclamation recognized the historic contributions of women to the growth and strength of the nation and community.

Moment of Silence Observed
The Board observed a moment of silence for several individuals connected to the college community who recently passed away. These included James Baskerville, husband of an English tutor; retirees Sonia Louie, Alice Jackson, and Margaret Coghill; Flora Lee Correo, mother-in-law of a professor; Rick Demakitis, brother of board assistant Karen Rezek; Primo Giovanni; and Reverend Jesse Jackson, founder of the Rainbow Push Coalition.

Student Trustee Report
Student Trustee Brenton Bishop reported on recent student activities, including the Black Teen Summit held on February 13, which hosted over 500 students. Bishop also noted his attendance at the National Legislative Summit in Washington D.C., where he met with Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin. Upcoming events mentioned included a Mario Kart tournament and the Black Student Union Gala.