Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0459

SR0459 LRB104 15839 LAW 29051 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to congratulate Sheila Quirk-Bailey, DM on the occasion of her retirement as president of Illinois Central College (ICC); and

WHEREAS, ICC became the first institution in the nation to utilize Pell Grants for incarcerated students, demonstrating Dr. Quirk-Bailey's unwavering commitment to expanding educational opportunity and fostering second chances; and

WHEREAS, During Dr. Quirk-Bailey's tenure, ICC credentialed more than 1,100 students of poverty through the Workforce Empowerment Initiative, producing strong completion and employment outcomes and setting a national standard for workforce inclusion; and

WHEREAS, Under Dr. Quirk-Bailey's guidance, ICC secured nearly $20 million through the Good Jobs Challenge grant, becoming the only community college nationwide and the only institution funded in both rounds to advance the IT Workforce Accelerator program, which offers students industry-recognized credentials at no cost; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Quirk-Bailey was also instrumental in ICC receiving a $349,397 National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education grant for its Creating a Workforce Pipeline of STEM Technicians Through Water Analysis program, giving students hands-on experience in original scientific research; and

WHEREAS, ICC was recognized nationally as the 2020 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Charles Kennedy Equity Award winner, affirming Dr. Quirk-Bailey's lasting impact on student equity and institutional excellence; and

WHEREAS, Under Dr. Quirk-Bailey's visionary leadership, ICC has received the 2025 Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) Equity and Diversity Award, the association's highest statewide honor recognizing leadership and innovation in advancing equity, and was named 2025 Achieving the Dream Leader College, becoming one of only 15 nationwide recognized for sustained improvements in student success, equity gains for minority students, and reforms that reduce barriers to high-demand careers; and

WHEREAS, With Dr. Quirk-Bailey at the helm, ICC's Workforce Sustainability Center has prepared individuals for pre-apprenticeship and entry-level training in 13 high-demand programs, earning ICC recognition as a 2025 Bellwether Award finalist in two categories, Instructional Programs & Services and Workforce Development; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Quirk-Bailey will retire at the end of the year, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, inclusion, and transformation that has strengthened not only ICC but the entire Illinois Community College System; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Sheila Quirk-Bailey, DM on her retirement as president of Illinois Central College (ICC), and we thank her for her outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to the students and communities of ICC as well as higher education and workforce advancement in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Quirk-Bailey as an expression of our esteem and respect.