Today (July 15, 2015) marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Illinois Public Community College Act. Fifty years later, the Illinois community college system is the state’s largest provider of higher education, serving nearly one million students each year.

A coalition of community college groups (including the Illinois Community College Board, the ICCB Student Advisory Committee, the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents, the Illinois Council of Community College Administrators, the Illinois Community College Faculty Association, and the National Council on Marketing and Public Relations) has been formed to coordinate 50th anniversary events throughout the system.

To kick off our yearlong observance, the coalition is pleased to unveil our new 50th Anniversary logo, designed by Christina Diaz of Carl Sandburg College.

Watch for information about other upcoming 50th anniversary events, including:
• Announcement of the official gubernatorial proclamation declaring 2015-2016 as “The Year of the Community College” in Illinois
• A Mid-August 2015 news conference with Gov. Bruce Rauner
• National Community College Month in April 2016
• Anniversary celebrations at coalition member meetings/conferences

Happy 50th anniversary, Illinois community colleges, you are one million strong!