Governor Rauner signed pivotal
legislation today that will limit the future size and scope of community
college severance agreements.
Prompted by a $763,000 contract
buyout approved by a former College of DuPage (COD) Board for outgoing College
President Dr. Robert Breuder, State Representative Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton)
filed HB 3593, which limits future buyout or severance agreements to no more
than one year of salary and benefits. Even though a newly-elected COD Board of
Trustees voided the Breuder deal, Ives said her bill will
prevent other college boards from inking similarly excessive deals for
underperforming administrators.
“That agreement was irresponsible
and disrespectful to the taxpayers who fund the College of DuPage,” said Ives.
“While the new board seems to be acting more in line with the best interests of
the college’s stakeholders, this new law will prevent mismanagement at the
levels we’ve seen at COD from happening in the future.” Read more.