The ICCTA Board of Representatives took the following actions at its April 17, 2002, meeting at the Harry L. Crisp Community College Center in Springfield, Illinois:

• Reviewed the 3 priority issues for Community College Lobby Day on April 17:
  1) Support of the FY 2003 community college operating budget at the
      Governor's level
  2) Support of the FY 2003 community college capital budget at the
      Governor's level
  3) Extension of the "30 and out" early retirement option for State Universities
      Retirement System participants;
  
• Were informed that the Governor's office now projects a $1.4 billion shortfall in state revenue for FY 2003, which means a possible $33 million shortfall for community colleges next year. Lawmakers are proposing such revenue enhancements as increased taxes on cigarettes and/or riverboat gambling, and temporary increases in the state income tax;
  
• Heard that the $50 million for the second year of Gov. George Ryan's $250 million community college construction program is still in the Governor's proposed budget;
  
• Were reassured that no further cutbacks in state funding are anticipated for this year (FY 2002). Higher education was asked to return 2 percent in state appropriations last December;
  
• Received a report from ICCTA's Strategic Planning Committee, which will present its proposed Strategic Plan for adoption at the association's June 15 Board of Representatives meeting;
  
• Were told that the final Economic Impact Study reports for each college district will be available to presidents on April 22. The official statewide "unveiling" of the report will take place once all colleges have signed off on the data;
  
• Noted that United Parcel Service had contributed $7,000 to a Chicago Tribune ad honoring this year's Phi Theta Kappa recipients; and
  
• Learned that the Illinois Presidents Council is preparing a response to the Illinois Board of Higher Education's proposed mission-based performance indicators for community colleges and universities.
  

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