Shorten community college terms

Illinois Community College trustee terms of office, outside Chicago, were originally set at four years. Those terms were later lengthened by the legislature to six years, reportedly to encourage candidates to run while needing to face re-election less often than other local officials.

Clearly, however, the change has not proven to be in the best interest of the public or the students. Between weaknesses in the Illinois Open Meetings Act and the extraordinary term length, there has been little accountability to voters, or a need by trustees to be sensitive to thoughts and ideas held by their constituents. As a result we have entrenched runaway boards which have lost their moral compass and have done outlandish things.

Two measures would help cure the problem: return trustee terms to four years, and encourage trustee elections by regions of equal population within their community college district.

Shorter terms will increase visibility and the accountability of board members. Election by region reduces the likelihood of one community or political force of dominating the board membership while also meaning that "name recognition" would not need to be built far from a candidate's residence. It also would mean each candidate facing challenge need only be well known in one-seventh of the entire district.

Thus, a person serving a total of 12 years would need to face public scrutiny twice, after their initial election, rather than once. Lastly, community college trustee elections would be more frequently in the public conscience.

John Mueller

Lisle