JJC Board Prepares for 2028 Bond Expiration, Advances Grundy Campus Despite Objections

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | March 11, 2026

Article Summary: Joliet Junior College is laying the groundwork for a potential future referendum and advancing its Grundy County expansion as $90 million in existing institutional bonds prepare to expire in 2028.

JJC Capital Planning Key Points:

• The board approved a contract for referendum project services to gauge community support ahead of potential 2027 or 2028 election cycles.

• Trustees authorized architecture and engineering services for the college’s planned expansion in Morris, Illinois.

• Both measures passed over the objections of Trustee Maureen Broderick, who questioned the need for the expansion and the choice of consulting firms.

The Joliet Junior College (JJC) Board of Trustees on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, authorized early architectural work for a new campus in Grundy County and hired a consulting firm to assess the community’s appetite for a potential massive capital referendum.

The college is currently completing a master planning process that has identified 22 strategic priorities, including a proposed $45 million health professions center, an automotive building, and a science building expansion.

To fund these ambitious initiatives, the administration is eyeing the expiration of approximately $90 million in existing bonds in 2028. Karen Kistle informed the board that the 2028 expiration provides the college with a unique, deliberate window to evaluate its debt capacity and determine whether to pursue a new referendum in the April 2027, March 2028, or November 2028 election cycles.

To guide this process, the board reviewed Item 3.2.9 to hire EO Sullivan and Core Strategies for an 18-month community engagement process. Kelly Rohder-Tonelli explained that the firms will organize a stakeholder committee, host public town halls across the seven-county district, and conduct extensive survey research to build models of public opinion.

Trustee Maureen Broderick questioned the hiring of EO Sullivan, noting that the principal is a former legislator and the firm functions heavily in lobbying. She asked why the college’s existing lobbyists could not perform the work.

Rohder-Tonelli and President Dr. Clyne Namuo clarified that the existing lobbying firm advocates for specific state and federal projects, while EO Sullivan specializes in data-driven local election research. Kistle noted that the same firms recently guided Harper College to a successful $180 million referendum and are currently working with Moraine Valley Community College. The item passed 5-1-1, with Broderick voting no and Trustee Alicia Morales abstaining.

The board also tackled Item 3.2.6, approving architecture and engineering services for the Grundy County Expansion in Morris.

Trustee Broderick vehemently opposed the expenditure, demanding to see a five-year operating proforma before spending more money. She claimed students had approached her to express opposition to the project.

“I ask that we staple it until the next meeting because you guys are rushing into spending money,” Broderick said. “Why do we need to open up a $25 million campus?”

President Namuo defended the expansion, noting that the administration previously presented detailed evidence justifying the move out west on October 15, 2025. Namuo also clarified the financial timeline, assuring the board and the public that the operational costs for the Morris campus will not impact the college’s budget until Fiscal Year 2029, assuming a Fall 2028 opening.

The board approved the Grundy County architectural services in a 6-1 vote, with Broderick casting the sole dissenting vote.