State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Dist. 42) | Contributed photo
State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Dist. 42) | Contributed photo
The Illinois House and Senate late last week passed a bill sponsored by State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Dist. 42) that limits the size and scope of community-college buyout packages and severance agreements, and limits the length of employment contracts.
The bill, which limits the amount of future agreements to no more than one year of salary and benefits, came in response to the $763,000 contract buyout approved by College of DuPage Trustees for former President Robert Breuder earlier this year.
“The agreement that the majority of the COD trustees approved for their under-performing president was excessive and not in the best interest of the taxpayers who fund the college,” Ives said.
The bill also limits employment contracts with a set start and end date to no more than four years, with no possibility for automatic rollover clauses.
“It is important to note that the Senate Democrat Caucus commissioned an investigative report on executive compensation in the State’s Higher Education system that clearly pointed out that compensation, total cost of severance, contract length and tenure needed to be addressed statewide. While more work needs to be done, this legislation is a step in the right direction," Ives said.
The bill next moves to Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk for signature.
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