(110 ILCS 220/1)

(from Ch. 144, par. 281)

Sec. 1.

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Higher Education Cooperation Act".

(Source: P. A. 77‑2813.)

(110 ILCS 220/2)

(from Ch. 144, par. 282)

Sec. 2.

As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Board" means the Board of Higher Education;

"Nonpublic institution of higher education" means an educational organization, other than a public institution of higher education, which provides a minimum of an organized 2 year program at the private junior college level or higher and which operates not‑for‑profit and in conformity with standards substantially equivalent to those of the public institutions of higher education;

"Public institution of higher education" means the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, the public community colleges of this State, and any other public universities, colleges and community colleges now or hereafter established or authorized by the General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 89‑4, eff. 1‑1‑96.)

(110 ILCS 220/3)

(from Ch. 144, par. 283)

Sec. 3.

Any public institution of higher education may participate in the establishment and operation of programs of interinstitutional cooperation with other public institutions of higher education or with nonpublic institutions of higher education or with both public and nonpublic institutions of higher education. Such participation may be by contract or by other means including but not limited to the designation of representatives of the institution as directors of not‑for‑profit corporations organized for the governance or administration of any such program. Public institutions of higher education may participate in interinstitutional programs which involve institutions based outside this State.

(Source: P. A. 77‑2813.)

(110 ILCS 220/4)

(from Ch. 144, par. 284)

Sec. 4.

A program of financial assistance to programs of interinstitutional cooperation, in higher education is established to implement the policy of encouraging such cooperation in order to achieve an efficient use of educational resources, an equitable distribution of educational services, the development of innovative concepts and applications, and other public purposes.

The Board of Higher Education shall administer this program of financial assistance and shall distribute the funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose in the form of grants to not‑for‑profit corporations organized to administer programs of interinstitutional cooperation in higher education or to public or nonpublic institutions of higher education participating in such programs.

In awarding grants to interinstitutional programs under this Act, the Board shall consider in relation to each such program whether it serves the public purposes expressed in this Act, whether the local community is substantially involved, whether its function could be performed better by a single existing institution, whether the program is consistent with the Illinois master plan for higher education, and such other criteria as it determines to be appropriate.

No grant may be awarded under this Section for any program of sectarian instruction or for any program designed to serve a sectarian purpose.

As a part of its administration of this Act the Board may require audits or reports in relation to the administrative, fiscal and academic aspects of any interinstitutional program for which a grant is awarded under this Act. The Board shall annually submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a budgetary recommendation for grants under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 85‑244.)

(110 ILCS 220/5)

(from Ch. 144, par. 285)

Sec. 5.

Any not‑for‑profit corporation organized to administer an interinstitutional program of higher education may be recognized under this Section if it has been in existence for 3 years or longer, it is structured for continuing operation, it is substantial in scope, it is oriented to and supported by the community in which it is located and it is consistent with the Illinois master plan for higher education.

In each request of the Board of Higher Education to the General Assembly for the appropriation of funds for the purpose of making grants under this Act the Board shall specify the amount of the grant proposed for each not‑for‑profit corporation recognized under this Section.

The following not‑for‑profit corporations are recognized for the purposes of this Section:

The Quad Cities Graduate Study Center.

(Source: P.A. 77‑2813.)

(110 ILCS 220/6)

(from Ch. 144, par. 286)

Sec. 6.

The Board may adopt rules it deems necessary for the administration of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 85‑244.)