ECC trustees approve tuition freeze and tax relief measures saving taxpayers more than $2 million

Elgin Community College District 509 Board of Trustees approved measures to freeze tuition rates for the 2021-2022 academic year and provide taxpayer relief for the 2020 tax levy year during its December board meetings.

The approved actions provide positive financial impacts for the district's taxpayers and students and include the following:

• No increase for the 2021-2022 tuition rates, which will remain at an in-district rate of $132 for the fourth consecutive year;

• No increase (flat) 2020 tax levy

• Abatement of $1 million of debt services tax for the 2020 tax levy year

"During this past year, we heard from our students and community members that financial pressures impacted their ability to pursue their educational goals successfully," said board chair Donna Redmer, Ed.D. "These actions to freeze tuition and provide taxpayer relief directly respond to the financial realities of our district residents and our Board's commitment to our mission of improving people's lives through learning."

The 2021-2022 academic year marks the fourth consecutive year that ECC has maintained a $132 per credit hour tuition rate for in-district students. The College had a four-year tuition freeze previously from 2007-2011. This tuition freeze is in response to ECC students' financial strain during this unprecedented time.

"It is more important now than perhaps at any other time in our history to ensure attending ECC remains affordable," said ECC President David Sam, Ph.D., J.D., LL.M. "Community colleges fulfill an invaluable role in the overall health of their communities. ECC is working diligently to provide exceptional educational opportunities for our students and continue as exemplary stewards of our residents' support."

Along with the tuition freeze, the board of trustees approved a no increase (or flat) 2020 tax levy as compared to the prior year tax extension. ECC presented a flat levy foregoing any increases allowed by the property tax extension limitation law (PTELL), as well as any increases due to new property. This action equates to approximately $1.6 million savings to district taxpayers. Additionally, the board of trustees approved a $1 million abatement of the 2020 debt service tax to further assist taxpayers.