ICCTA Action Alert Nov. 9, 2000 Veto Session Begins The Illinois General Assembly returns to Springfield today to start its fall veto session. Lawmakers are scheduled to be in the Capitol during the weeks of November 14 - 16 and November 28 - 30. Although no "hot" community college-related issues appear to be in play at this time, ICCTA will monitor deliberations throughout the month. 2000 Election Despite record-high campaign spending by both parties, the balance of power in the Illinois General Assembly remains the same -- Republicans have retained control of the Illinois Senate, while Democrats maintain their majority in the Illinois House. This sets the stage for next year's session, when the legislature will begin drawing new district boundaries for lawmakers based on the 2000 census. An in-depth analysis of the 2000 election will be provided at ICCTA’s committee and board meetings on November 10-11 in Chicago. Harper, McHenry Win Referenda Unlike the candidates in the U.S. presidential race, two Illinois community colleges are celebrating victories following successful referenda bids on November 7: By a 57% to 43% margin, William Rainey Harper College in Palatine won approval for an $88.8 million bond issue to construct three new science and technology buildings. Voters in the McHenry County College district narrowly OK’ed (by 51% to 49%) a 5¢ increase in the education fund tax rate to 27¢. The increase will be offset by an equal tax decrease resulting from the college paying off bonds. Both colleges had previously lost similar referenda efforts (Harper in April 1999, McHenry in March 2000). For additional information on state legislative issues, contact ICCTA at 1-800-454-2282. Illinois Community College Trustees Association 401 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 200 Springfield, IL 62701-1711 217-528-2858 (phone) 217-528-8662 (fax) ICCTA@communitycolleges.org (e-mail) http://www.communitycolleges.org | Home | News | Events | Links |