Following the release of Governor JB Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan, the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) has convened a committee to shape guidance on how campuses across the state can open safely this fall semester amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Deputy Governor for Education Jesse Ruiz said, “I am grateful for IBHE’s leadership on this and look forward to the committee’s recommendations for the 2020-2021 academic year. As always, our priority remains protecting the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff, while providing a high-quality education to prepare students for future careers.” The University of Illinois System, with its deep scientific expertise and on-going statewide work related to COVID-19, will ensure the committee has access to the latest public health research and guidance with a lens that is uniquely focused on higher education. The committee includes:
o IBHE Executive Director Ginger Ostro
o Representatives of Illinois’ public universities
• Northern Illinois University President Lisa Freeman
• University of Illinois President Tim Killeen
• Southern Illinois University President Dan Mahony
• Chicago State University President Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott
o Representatives of Illinois’ private colleges and universities
• Judson University President Gene Crume
• Loyola University President Jo Ann Rooney
• Northwestern University President Morton Shapiro
• University of Chicago President Robert Zimmer
• Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities President David Tretter
o Representatives of Illinois’ community colleges
• City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Juan Salgado
• Illinois Central College President Sheila Quirk-Bailey
• Lincoln Land Community College President Charlotte Warren
• Rend Lake College President Terry Wilkerson
• Illinois Community College Board Executive Director Brian Durham
o Dean and Provost of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Jerry Kruse
