House backs Harper's plan to offer 4-year degrees
SPRINGFIELD -- Harper College on Wednesday once again won approval from the Illinois House to begin a pilot bachelor's degree program at the Palatine community college.
However, the proposal's ultimate fate remains uncertain since a similar plan stalled in the Illinois Senate last year.
"We got halfway last year, I'm hoping we can bring it home this year," said state Rep. Suzanne Bassi, a Palatine Republican.
The legislation calls for the creation of two bachelor of applied science degree programs: public safety administration/homeland security and technology management. The programs are designed for working adults who already have an associate degree.
"The police have to go all over the state to finish a four-year degree. They have families, they have commitments, they're working crazy schedules, they need to be able to do it in a local community college process," Bassi said. "It's a bill whose time has come."
The pilot program would be funded by student tuition and corporate and educational donations. College official say no property tax revenue or state dollars would be used for the program.
The House approved the plan 69-47.
"I think we're very pleased, not only with the vote but the size of the vote," Harper Assistant Vice President Phil Burdick said, calling it "great momentum" heading to the Senate.
However, opponents are concerned that community colleges are overstepping their role when they begin to offer bachelor degrees. "A lot of the community colleges like the service they provide at that level, and this just brings it into a four-year university level," said state Rep. Sandy Cole, a Grayslake Republican, who voted against the measure.
Northern Illinois University and Harper were working on a deal to have the university offer the degree programs on Harper's campus but it fell apart.
State Rep. Bill Black, a Danville Republican, said it's really just a matter of meeting the needs of the community.
"Harper or any other community college in Illinois doesn't want to become the university of Whatever," Black said. "We want to meet unmet work force needs in community college districts."
Bassi said that in addition to police agencies, the defense contractor and global security company Northrop Grumman is interested in the Harper program.
Proponents hope to establish the program in July, take a year to get accredited, and begin classes as soon as autumn 2010. That timeline depends on the Senate and Gov. Pat Quinn approving the plan.
The vote
The Illinois House voted 69-47 to approve a trial, 4-year degree program for Harper College in Palatine. The plan now goes to the Senate where it has stalled in previous years. Here's how area lawmakers voted.
Local representatives voting "yes"
Suzanne "Suzie" Bassi, Palatine Republican
Mark H. Beaubien Jr., Barrington Hills Republican
Linda Chapa-LaVia, Aurora Democrat
Franco Coladipietro, Bloomingdale Republican
Fred Crespo, Hoffman Estates Democrat
Jack D. Franks, Marengo Democrat
Paul Froehlich, Schaumburg Democrat
Sidney H. Mathias, Buffalo Grove Republican
Rosemary Mulligan, Des Plaines Republican
Elaine Nekritz, Northbrook Democrat
Randy Ramey, Carol Stream Republican
Angelo "Skip" Saviano, Elmwood Park Republican
Ed Sullivan Jr., Mundelein Republican
Mark Walker, Arlington Heights Democrat
Eddie Washington, Waukegan Democrat
Local representatives voting "no"
Robert A. "Bob" Biggins, Elmhurst Republican
Sandy Cole, Grayslake Republican
Michael Connelly, Lisle Republican
Tom Cross, Oswego Republican (House Republican leader)
Keith Farnham, Elgin Democrat
Mike Fortner, West Chicago Republican
Kay Hatcher, Yorkville Republican
Emily Klunk-McAsey, Lockport Democrat
JoAnn Osmond, Antioch Republican
Sandra M. Pihos, Glen Ellyn Republican
Dennis Reboletti, Elmhurst Republican
Kathleen A. Ryg, Vernon Hills Democrat
Timothy L. Schmitz, Batavia Republican
Darlene Senger, Naperville Republican
Michael Tryon, Crystal Lake Republican
Source: HB656 roll call