Prairie State College Considers Tuition Rate Increase

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Prairie State College is looking to increase tuition and fees by $4 per credit hour in the fall and seven south suburban mayors are balking at the proposal, saying enough is enough.

"The requested increase to tuition and fees is unwarranted based on the current audited financial position of Prairie State College," the group wrote in a letter of protest to the college's board of trustees.

The board proposed increasing the in-district tuition rate to $145.50 per credit hour from $143.50, and raising the technology fee by 50 cents to $15.50 for each credit hour. The proposal includes hiking the infrastructure fee to $10.50 — a $1.50 increase. The change would go into effect in the fall semester.

Board members tabled a decision until the March meeting.

Officials from Prairie State did not respond to requests for comment.

In their letter, the mayor's group said the proposal is unjustified because the school has enough money in its budget to avoided a rate hike. Prairie State, they said, ended the fiscal year with $21.2 million in cash. They also pointed out that the current yearly tuition of $5,130 is 22 percent higher than the average tuition cost of the state’s 38 community colleges.

"The college has accumulated cash reserves during the same period it has filed tax levies for the maximum amount allowed by Illinois state statute," the mayors wrote. "The increasing property tax obligation is a burden that falls directly on our residents and businesses in the PSC district."

"We do not support this proposed increase," they added. "As president and trustees of this institution, we are asking that you keep the economic well-being of our students, residents and businesses in mind in considering this increase."

The mayors who signed the letter are Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez, South Chicago Heights Mayor Terry Matthews, Steger Village President Ken Peterson, Glenwood Mayor Ron Gardiner, Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld, Ford Heights Mayor Annie Coulter, and Sauk Village Mayor Derrick Burgess.