Public Accountability Report

The Illinois community college system is coordinated by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) with a Board comprised of citizens appointed by the Governor. At the college level, locally elected boards of trustees (the exception is the City Colleges of Chicago with the Mayor of Chicago appointing trustees) set policies that guide their colleges in achieving local and statewide goals with the support of the ICCB. Colleges meet both local and statewide needs for education and workforce development through high-quality, affordable, accessible, and cost-effective programs and services. More information about ICCB and Illinois community colleges is accessible via the ICCB website at https://www.iccb.org/.

The Illinois community college system spans the entire state and serves nearly 600,000 individuals each year through both credit and noncredit offerings. Illinois community colleges are comprehensive institutions that provide college preparatory coursework, short-term continuing education, workforce retraining, certificate and degree programs for high-demand occupations, and associate's degrees for career entry or transfer to bachelor’s programs. Additionally, community colleges and other providers under the Board’s oversight offer adult education, literacy instruction, English as a Second Language programs, and high school equivalency preparation.

The ICCB and the 45 community colleges provide all Illinois residents with the opportunity for economic and personal growth, civic engagement, and cultural awareness through a commitment to the following items:

• To support all students with a focus on minority, first-generation, and low-income students across urban, rural, and suburban communities, through the promotion of evidence-based best practices that close equity gaps resulting in system-wide improvement of equity metrics across enrollment, retention, advancement, and completion.
• To support a seamless transition for students into and through postsecondary education and the workforce by fostering the development of robust career pathways aligned to the needs of business and industry, strong engagement at all levels of the community college system, and with a focus on meeting students where they begin their educational journey, resulting in equitable access and outcomes for all students.

• To contribute to economic and workforce development by supporting the Illinois community college system’s effort to provide high-quality, dynamic workforce training opportunities that build essential skills for high-value work through apprenticeships, work-based learning opportunities, and competency-based instructional models that result in equitable economic mobility through increased credential attainment.

In 2025, the ICCB led and supported significant efforts across the state’s 45 community colleges, with a focus on preparing students for high-skill, in-demand careers and strengthening access and opportunity across the system. The Board is committed to ensuring fair access, opportunities, and outcomes for all learners. It promotes best practices, facilitates evidence-based decision-making, and supports continuous improvement across the community college system.