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Bill

SB 4034

COMM COLLEGE-BA DEGREE PRORGAM

104th Regular Session Introduced by Mike Halpin and 2 co-sponsors

Allows Illinois community colleges to offer and regulate certain bachelor’s degree programs.

Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 4034

Summary of SB 4034 (104th Illinois General Assembly)

Purpose and intent

  • SB 4034 is a bill concerning community college operations and degree programs in Illinois. While the specific text of the bill is not provided here, the title “COMM COLLEGE-BA DEGREE PRORGAM” suggests the measure focuses on undergraduate degree programs housed within the public community college system. The primary intent appears to be to authorize, regulate, or expand bachelor’s degree offerings by community colleges in Illinois, aligning with state goals to broaden access to higher-education opportunities and workforce-aligned programs.

Key provisions and changes (as indicated by the bill’s scope)

  • Authorization of bachelor’s degree programs: The bill likely establishes or clarifies authority for Illinois community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees, which historically have been the purview of state universities. This could include permission for specific institutions to launch new bachelor’s programs or to convert existing offerings into degree programs.
  • Program standards and oversight: Provisions may set minimum accreditation, curriculum, and governance standards for community college bachelor’s programs, ensuring quality and alignment with statewide higher-education requirements.
  • Funding and fiscal aspects: The bill could address funding streams for new bachelor’s programs, including state support, tuition frameworks, and any conditions tied to performance metrics or returns on investment.
  • Workforce alignment: Expect references to partnerships with local employers, workforce development needs, and pathways from associate degrees or certificates to bachelor’s programs to support regional labor markets.
  • Student eligibility and admissions: The measure might outline who can enroll in these programs, possible articulation agreements, transfer considerations, and any tuition or credit policies distinct from traditional associate degree pathways.
  • Accountability and reporting: Provisions may require annual reporting on program outcomes, graduation rates, job placement, and program utilization to state education authorities.

Who would be affected

  • Community colleges: Institutions designated to develop and operate bachelor’s degree programs would be directly impacted by the new authority, standards, and funding rules.
  • Students: Prospective and current students may gain expanded access to four-year degrees within the community college system, potentially offering more affordable or regionally convenient options.
  • Employers and regional economies: Expanded bachelor’s programs could influence local workforce development, provide degree-completion pathways, and address sector-specific skill needs.
  • State higher education system: Governance, accreditation, and coordination across public higher education sectors would be affected, with potential implications for enrollment distribution and program oversight.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Sponsorship: The bill lists multiple sponsors, signaling bipartisan or cross-chamber support dynamics (Senators Halpin, Adriane Johnson, and Rachel Ventura as co-sponsors as of the latest action history).
  • Actions to date:
    • Filed with Secretary and first reading on February 6, 2026.
    • Referred to Assignments on February 6, 2026.
    • Co-sponsor additions occurred in April 2026 and May 2026 (indicating ongoing legislative attention and potential movement through committees).
  • Next steps: Typically, after assignment, the bill would be considered by relevant committees (e.g., higher education or appropriations) and then potentially advance to floor debates, amendments, and votes. Final passage would proceed to the other chamber (e.g., House or Senate) and, if approved, to the governor for signature or veto.

Notes

  • The summary above reflects the bill’s title and the available action history. For a precise understanding of the provisions, language, and fiscal impact, the bill’s full text and fiscal notes would be required.

If you’d like, I can summarize the bill more precisely once the official text is available or provide a comparison to existing Illinois statutes governing community college degree offerings.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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