EAST PEORIA, Ill. – Last month, Illinois Central College announced that students living on the East Peoria campus would have to find somewhere else to live next semester.
On Thursday, the ICC Board of Trustees held a special meeting on student housing. They didn’t vote on anything, but did call for regular updates about student housing beginning with their next meeting on April 24.
“We have a duty to have as much knowledge as we can. And, our questions are not some type of signal to the administration that we don’t agree, or we’re trying to sabotage,” said Trustee Cindy Byrd.
The ICC board was not involved in the decision to close student housing. On-campus boarding is owned and operated by Educational Foundation Student Residence LLC, which is separate from the college. Foundation board members are not appointed by the school.
25 News received an email from ICC President Sheila Quirk-Bailey, saying state law prohibits community colleges from owning on-campus housing.
ICC Trustee Gale Thetford said the board found out that the housing complex would close the same day as the administration’s announcement. This prompted a response of anger and confusion toward members of the board.
“My housekeeper walks in my door to clean my house and says ‘Why did you do this?’ I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ She said, ‘I have two granddaughters, they wanted to go to I-C-C next year and live on campus,” Thetford said.
President Quirk-Bailey was at Thursday’s meeting, but did not speak.
In an email to staff last month, Quirk-Bailey wrote, “We are here to support students and programs, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work through this challenge together. Our goal is to ensure a positive outcome for all those affected, and we are confident that by working together, we will do so.”
ICC administrators said the East Peoria housing complex would have needed substantial repairs to stay open, including replacing stairs throughout the facility. Quirk-Bailey’s email further indicated Educational Foundation Student Residence LLC does not have adequate funding for this, and they were not able to get any more money.
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