Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees met on Monday, October 13, 2025, taking action on several major financial and academic items. The board approved a three-year renewal of its employee health insurance contract with Aetna, which includes a 15.34% increase in medical premiums for 2026. A detailed report on this decision is available in a full standalone article. The board also celebrated a highly successful year for its foundation, which awarded over $865,000 in scholarships, a significant increase from the previous year.

In other business, trustees accepted over $284,000 in grants for STEM and agriculture programs and approved significant purchases, including a new fire alarm system for the Kluthe Center and a John Deere engine for the agriculture department. The board also granted tenure to four faculty members. In a routine financial measure, the board voted to continue its Foundation Tax Levy for another year. Student Trustee Jay Bliler provided a comprehensive report on student activities, including the election of new freshman delegates and successful campus events.

News Briefs

Freshman Delegates Certified for Student Government: The Board of Trustees certified the results of the September 10-11 Student Government Association (SGA) elections. The newly elected freshman delegates are Caleb Joe Brinkley, Emma Banning, Haley Podkul, Kaylin Arlene Nolte, Madison Rae Hinds, Mara Dorjahn, Rachel Lynn Warfel, and Tristeona Green.

College Continues Foundation Tax Levy: The board approved Resolution No. 1025-003, signaling its intent to continue the Foundation Tax Levy for the 2025 tax year. According to Vice President for Business Services John Woodruff, the college is eligible to levy an additional 9.80 cents per $100 of equalized assessed valuation because its combined operating levy is below the state average. This measure helps bring the college’s overall tax levy closer to the statewide average.

Janitorial and Furniture Purchases for Effingham Center Approved: The board approved two items for the Effingham Technology Center. A month-to-month agreement with ESS Clean Inc. of Urbana was approved for interim janitorial services, with an annual cost not to exceed $120,000. Additionally, the board approved a $32,517.41 purchase of classroom furniture from Widmer Interiors of Bloomington, funded by a “Taking Back the Trades Round 3” grant.

College President Reports on State Funding: Dr. Jonathan Bullock updated the board on state finances, reporting that the college received a total of $801,162 in September from the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice for outstanding FY2025 balances. However, no payments were received for FY2026 balances, and a total of $10.1 million in state funding remains outstanding. The college also received $3.2 million in property tax payments in September.

Surplus Equipment Declared: The board declared a variety of items as surplus, including a coil punch from the Print Shop, numerous pieces of furniture, outdated microscopes, and two push mowers. The college will now seek to dispose of the items through donations, sales, or auction in a manner most financially beneficial to the institution.

Student Report Highlights Campus Activities: Student Trustee Jay Bliler reported that the Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a successful Red Cross Blood Drive, collecting 23 units. The next blood drive is scheduled for November 12. The Student Activity Board (SAB) is planning a Veterans’ Day ceremony for November 5. Bliler also highlighted the work of agriculture-based clubs on campus and noted that the student newspaper, The Navigator News, is fully staffed for the semester.