ECC freezes tuition, tax rate

The Elgin Community College District 509 Board recently authorized a tuition freeze for the 2021-22 academic year, and keeping the 2020 property tax levy flat with no rate increase.

ECC's in-district tuition rate will remain at $132 per credit hour for the fourth consecutive year. The college previously had a four-year tuition freeze from 2007 to 2011. The latest freeze is in response to students' financial needs during an unprecedented pandemic year.

Keeping the tax levy flat will result in roughly $1.6 million in savings to taxpayers. The district also will abate $1 million of debt services taxes for the 2020 tax levy year, officials said.

"During this past year, we heard from our students and community members that financial pressures impacted their ability to pursue their educational goals successfully," ECC board chairwoman Donna Redmer said in a news release. "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."