Proposal to cap community college severances stalled

A proposal that would cap community college employee severance packages and limit contract lengths remains stalled in the Illinois House at least until lawmakers come back Thursday.

The College of DuPage inspired-plan would restrict severance agreements to one year's pay and applicable benefits. It would also limit contracts with a determinate start and end date to four years.

The legislation was drafted after College of DuPage President Robert Breuder was given a $763,000 severance package earlier this year.

While Sunday marked the end of the Illinois General Assembly's regular session, the House will reconvene Thursday. If the House approves, the plan would go to Gov. Bruce Rauner.

The proposal, written by state Rep. Jeanne Ives, a Wheaton Republican, faced scrutiny from community college trustees and presidents, who argued it would take stability away from community colleges.

State Rep. Ron Sandack, a Downers Grove Republican, says there's still time to get the proposal to Rauner.

"Unfortunately because of larger political machinations some things may have gotten lost in translation," Sandack said. "So we do have time and I'm hopeful that we can get it to the finish line and get it to the governor."