What it is: The Public Agenda for Illinois Higher Education is a planning blueprint for the State of Illinois to direct state policies and resources to the higher education and career needs of Illinois residents and to address the current and future economic needs of the state.

What it is not: The Public Agenda is not a plan for higher education institutions or the various sectors within the higher education system, including community colleges, public universities, and nonprofit and for-profit private institutions.

Background: The Illinois Board of Higher Education has the statutory responsibility for master planning, as stated in the IBHE enabling act:

The Board shall analyze the present and future aims, needs and requirements of higher education in the State of Illinois and prepare a master plan for the development, expansion, integration, coordination and efficient utilization of the facilities, curricula and standards of higher education for public institutions of higher education in the areas of teaching, research and public service.

In its spring 2007 session, the General Assembly approved House Joint Resolution 69, directing the Board of Higher Education to develop a Public Agenda for higher education through a broad-based task force “to study the challenges and opportunities facing higher education, the State’s workforce needs, demographic trends, and higher education funding and student financial aid.”

Purpose: The purpose of the planning initiative is to develop an action agenda, based on quantifiable evidence, for institutions, state education agencies, and the Governor and General Assembly to address the education, workforce, social, and economic needs of the State by setting priorities, developing policies, and allocating resources.

Read more about the Background Paper: The Who, What, When, Why, and How

The following meetings are open to the public. Residents, community organizations, educational stakeholders, and business organizations are all encouraged to attend. For more information about the Public Agenda or meeting details, e-mail your request to: publicagenda@ibhe.org.

IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND ANY OF THESE MEETINGS, PLEASE RSVP TO: publicagenda@ibhe.org

• Meeting Schedule
• Public Agenda Regional Forums

• Public Agenda Background Paper: The Who, What, When, Why, and How
• Public Agenda FAQ
• House Joint Resolution 69
• IBHE 2011 A Strategic Plan for the Illinois Board of Higher Education

March 20, 2008
9 a.m. - DePaul University, Chicago

• Audio of Meeting [ Size: 38.8MB Duration: 2:49:53 ]
• NCHEMS Report: Observations and Findings Regarding Public Needs
• Summary of Meeting Minutes: March 20, 2008

May 1, 2008
2 p.m. - Roosevelt University, Chicago

• Audio of Meeting Part 1 [ Size: 72.63MB Duration: 1:19:20 ]
• Audio of Meeting Part 2 [ Size: 37.21MB Duration: 40:38 ]
• Audio of Meeting Part 3 [ Size: 16.93MB Duration: 18:29 ]
• Background to the May 1, 2008 Task Force to Develop a Public Agenda for Higher Education Meeting
• Summary of Initial Themes For Discussion at the Second Task Force Meeting
• Link to Minnesota Measures Report Discussed at 5-1-08 Task Force Meeting
• Summary of Meeting Minutes: May 1, 2008

June 20, 2008
2 p.m. - Robert Morris College, Chicago

August 12, 2008
2 p.m. - Kendall College, Chicago

Audio of meeting are available in MP3 format. Due to the size of the file, it is recommended that you download the file to your computer. To do so, right click on the MP3 icon or link, Select "Save Target As...", then save the audio file to your computer. It may take several minutes to complete the download depending on the speed of your internet connection.

Central - June 9
Richland Community College, Decatur

Northwest - June10
Black Hawk College, Moline

North Central - June 11
Illinois Central College, Peoria

Northeast - June 12
Kankakee Community College, Kankakee

West Central - June 12
John Wood Community College, Quincy

Northeast - June 13
Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove

Northeast - June 16
South Suburban Community College, South Holland

Southwestern - June16
Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville

Northeast - June 17
College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn

Southern - June17
John A Logan College, Carterville

Northeast - June 18
College of Lake County, Grayslake

Southeastern - June 18
Illinois Eastern College, Olney

Northeast - June 19
Oakton Community College, DesPlaines

East Central - June 19
Danville Area Community College, Danville

Northern Stateline - June 23
Rock Valley College, Rockford

• NCHEMS Report: Observations and Findings Regarding Public Needs (3/20/08 Task Force Meeting)
• NCHEMS Presentation: A Framework for Developing a Public Agenda for Illinois Higher Education: Planning for College and Career Success (1/15/08)

• Setting a Public Agenda for Higher Education in the States
• Link to Public Agenda and Planning Documents in Other States
• Link to Minnesota Measures Report Discussed at 5-1-08 Task Force Meeting