JJC Board of Trustees Approve FY 2021 Budget

The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees approved the college’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget at its June 24 meeting.

The total operating budget for FY21 is $99.53 million, representing a 1.7% increase over the FY20 budget.   

“During the final stages of this budget development, the coronavirus pandemic began and introduced health, financial, and operating issues that the world - including our seven-county community college district - had never witnessed or experienced,” JJC President Dr. Judy Mitchell said. “With no blueprint to follow and information changing daily, I am proud of the foundation we have built to support the college and the work we will continue to do as we enter FY21 to drive JJC into its 120th year."

View FY21 Budget

It’s the 48th consecutive year the college has presented a balanced operating budget, made possible in part by implementing the following planning goals:

• Support innovation in new programming and expanded resources through proactive financial planning
• Maintain emphasis on student success
• Address potential impact of the state of Illinois on the college’s budget

The FY21 budget also keeps tuition and health care costs flat, as part of JJC’s continuing commitment to fiscal responsibility. Tuition, state funding and property taxes account for 98% of the college’s operating revenues. They are actively monitored and the college proactively works to adjust expenditures to ensure financial stability, such as through class size, program offerings and staffing levels.

“While much seems unknown at this point, I want to reemphasize the critical role community colleges play to support the changing needs of the local economy and workforce, which has been impacted significantly by the pandemic. As such, we will continue to develop our new respiratory technician allied health program and invest in student resources, including advising, program pathways, and outreach to ensure retention and completion,” Mitchell said.

Joliet Junior College is the first community college in the nation. Mitchell noted that JJC has weathered many storms, and will weather this one.

“We have continued to drive innovation in the classroom and in our support services. We do not rest in tradition or history, we drive innovation and support your success.”

Additionally, the college’s financial team was awarded the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Best Practices in Community College Budgeting for FY19. The award is presented annually to colleges based on their budgeting of resources that promote student achievement.

For media inquiries, contact Communications and Media Coordinator Scott Harvey at sharvey@jjc.edu.