Standing Up for Equity: CCCTU’s Support for SB 2485 and Free Developmental Education

This May, our union’s voice was powerfully represented at the Illinois Senate Appropriations Committee hearing through the testimony of Troy Swanson, Legislative Chair of the Cook County College Teachers Union (CCCTU), Local 1600. Swanson spoke in strong support of SB 2485, a bill that would fully fund developmental education at Illinois community colleges.

At a time when many students face overwhelming financial obstacles to begin their college journey, SB 2485 offers a focused, impactful solution: making developmental education courses tuition-free or significantly reduced in cost. These courses serve as the critical foundation for students who may not have had strong academic preparation, are returning to education later in life, are learning English, or are balancing family and work responsibilities.

“Too often, these students face a cruel paradox,” Swanson told the committee. “To succeed in college, they must first take developmental courses, but those courses cost money, don’t always count toward a degree, and often come without adequate support.”

Swanson emphasized that the proposal is not only about affordability, t's about equity. Developmental education is the gateway for thousands of students, and the cost of these courses should not be a barrier to opportunity. By leveraging the existing credit hour reimbursement system through the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), the bill proposes reimbursing developmental education credits at a higher rate, allowing colleges to waive tuition without harming their budgets.

“This is a targeted investment that could transform lives, expand opportunity, and advance equity across our state,” Swanson said. “It’s fiscally responsible. And it will have a measurable impact on student access, retention, and completion.”

Swanson also reminded lawmakers that while equity initiatives at four-year institutions are essential, community colleges, serving the most diverse and under-resourced student populations, must be included in any honest conversation about higher education equity in Illinois.

CCCTU stands firmly behind SB 2485. We know that when we eliminate barriers to education, we empower our students, our communities, and our future.

Senate Testimony--May 2025 Education Appropriations.pdf

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