State board hears COD's plea for rules change

The Illinois Community College Board will take some time before deciding whether to change its rules to exempt colleges from local signage, permit and zoning codes.

The state board heard from College of DuPage officials Friday who argued that certain Glen Ellyn ordinances do not apply to the school, Chief Financial Officer Ellen Andres said.

The move comes as both sides work under an interim agreement that allowed the school to complete a $2 million project to install about 4,000 interior and exterior signs. That deal, crafted by Judge Hollis L. Webster after a mediation session last month expires Oct. 12. It gave both sides 60 days to hammer out an agreement to address future construction projects. Also, the school agreed to a six-month public comment period on the signs.

In July, village officials issued citations after the college ignored a stop-work order and continued to install signs on the campus without a permit. The college then sued the village, saying the town had no jurisdiction over the school, that state codes were applicable. But before the matter reached trial, the two sides agreed to try to mediate a settlement. Despite COD's latest actions, both sides have said they will continue to see if they can settle their differences.

Andres said the state board has asked staff members to research whether COD's request applies to other community colleges or if it is unique to COD.

"We heard from the college today, and staff is going to look more in-depth into the issue to get a better feel for if this is a single case or a more statewide issue," she said.

The board meets again on Nov. 5 and she expects the item will be on the agenda. State law appears to require that schools follow local building codes. One passage states that schools must follow "any local building codes that may be more restrictive" than state codes. However, COD officials have asked the state board to add a passage that specifically addresses zoning, signage and permit ordinances and establishes these as exceptions.

Any change would first have to be approved by the board before heading to a committee in the General Assembly that oversees administrative rules. The board meets every two months, which means the soonest the board could send COD's request to the committee would be January.