JJC’s FY 2021 Budget Approved

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees have approved the college’s FISCAL Year 2021 Budget. The approval was made at the Trustees’ June 24 meeting. FY 2021 budget is 1.7% more than the FY20 budget. The total operating budget approved is $99.53 million.

“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.”

This is the college’s 48^th consecutive year that it presented a balanced operating budget. The balanced budget is made possible 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 tuition and health care costs are kept flat in the FY21 budget as part of JJC’s continuing commitment to fiscal responsibility. 98% of the college’s operating revenues are collected through tuition, state funding, and property taxes. The college maintains financial stability by looking through class size, program offerings, and staffing levels.

Mitchell said, “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.”