Community colleges advance state's economy

Illinois community colleges act as a high-powered engine, driving the state's economy forward. For the thousands of alumni who have seen their own earning power increased by their community college educations, this financial impact is not a surprise. However, a recent Illinois Community College Board-sponsored study by the Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies highlighted just how vital community colleges are across the state.

Illinois community colleges produce highly employable and skilled workers. Eight out of 10 Illinois employers have hired a community college student, and three out of 10 Illinois workers have taken a credit course at an Illinois community college in the past 10 years. This skilled workforce is an essential resource employers look for when deciding where to locate and grow their businesses.

Community colleges play an essential role in keeping Illinois competitive and attractive to employers. Ninety percent of community college alumni stay in Illinois, continuing this benefit for the state and paying billions in state and federal taxes.

Students who complete a community college education see tremendous dividends in their earning power. Over a lifetime, an Illinois community college alumnus will earn 55 percent more than those who do not have a community college education, and a student who completed an Illinois community college education in 2005 increased his or her pre-enrollment earnings by 31 percent.

In addition to educating our workforce, Illinois community colleges employ 33,000 Illinoisans -- resulting in a payroll of more than $1 billion. These employees give $1.7 billion back to their local economies in local spending that, in turn, creates nearly 13,500 jobs.

Community colleges also generate another $816 million in college expenditures and output, resulting in 6,000 more jobs. Taken together, Illinois community colleges generated $3.857 billion and nearly 53,000 jobs. That level of impact cannot be ignored.

Within our own service district, Waubonsee Community College's economic impact is equally powerful. Nearly 90 percent of our local employers have hired a Waubonsee student in the past 10 years. Our students benefit greatly from their education and give back to the community. Typically, Waubonsee graduates earn on average $16.50 an hour at their jobs, more than double minimum wage. Over their lifetime, Waubonsee students who complete their degree or certificate will earn $541,116 more than their peers who did not attend college. That translates into wages that are reinvested by these graduates, and their families, into the Fox Valley Region.

Waubonsee is itself one of the major employers in the community, with a staff and faculty of more than 1,300. Yearly college expenditures for wages, benefits, supplies and operations channel approximately $28.5 million into the local economy. The college's new construction and development projects reinvested $22 million in 2005 alone. Waubonsee is also a draw for visitors to the area, resulting in $900,000 in local expenditures.

Illinois is the birthplace of the community college and home to the third-largest community college system in the nation. Looking at the impact Illinois community colleges have on the state economy, it is hard to think of a more significant positive influence on our state's overall financial health. Given this "return on investment," it makes sense to actively invest in and support the mission of community colleges, so that this economic engine can continue to drive Illinois into the future.