Public Agenda for College and Career Success
Issue: Empowering & Educating Communities
Target Level of Office: State
Policy Origin: Public Agenda Task Force and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (Ed Trust)
Poilcy/Bill Number: House Joint Resolution 69
Link: www.YEONetwork.org/2013policy/?i=245
Summary Narrative of the Policy: 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. 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.
Relevant Talking Points & Important Information:
• In recognition of Illinois’ higher education and workforce needs, the Illinois General
Assembly responded to a call-to-action by the National Conference of State Legislatures
to develop a state higher education agenda and directed the Board of Higher Education
to undertake a master plan for Illinois higher education through the creation of a Task
Force on Higher Education and the Economy. This Task Force would study the challenges
and opportunities facing higher education, the state’s workforce needs, demographic
trends, and higher education funding and student financial aid in order to draft a master
planning agenda that the state Board of Higher Education, General Assembly, and
Governor would use to draft policies and allocate resources for Illinois’ institutions of
higher education.
• The vision of the Public Agenda is to close Illinois’ “prosperity gap” by creating a higher
education pathway to “one Illinois” where all residents have affordable access to highquality educational opportunities that prepare them for the current and future job market.
• A strategic 10 year plan, the Public Agenda has four goals: 1) increase educational
attainment, 2) ensure college affordability at the state level, 3) address workforce needs,
and 4) enhance economic growth.
• Access to higher education is increasingly important in the competitive global economy.
Policy
2014 Book
State Level
75