Written by Rev. Bob Vanden Bosch
The Private College Act, SB 2846 allows church-operated Bible colleges to grant religious degrees without being accredited by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
There are currently 31 states that have statutory language exempting religious colleges or Bible colleges from higher education licensing, certification, or the accreditation process. The statutes in those states that permit exemptions vary based on the following: 1). the types of institutions that qualify for an exemption, 2) the programs of study the institutions offer, 3) the degrees or diplomas conferred, and 4) the filing requirements.
Illinois is one of only 19 states that do not have a statutory exemption from the higher education licensing process for religious colleges. Although Illinois grants an exemption for vocational schools, Bible colleges offer a wider array of courses and majors. While the state does allow Bible colleges to apply annually for an exemption which allows them to operate and give diplomas, it does not allow them to confer degrees.
We do not believe it is appropriate for the state to determine what courses of study must be taken for those who are preparing for a vocation in a church ministry, or for the state to have to put its stamp of approval on the courses required for graduation.
The religious exemptions vary greatly by state, from Colorado, which allows all Bible colleges to confer degrees and grant diplomas, to Hawaii, which allows religious organizations to conduct schools with religious programs for the instruction of the institution’s members.
Colorado, which is not a conservative state, has the broadest exemption. While that would be optimal, we have chosen the language of the California exemption, which allows nonprofit institutions owned, controlled, and operated by a bona fide church, religious denomination, or religious organization operating under the Religious Corporation Act, to be granted exemptions under certain conditions:
1) The education is limited to instruction in the principles of the church or religious organization.
2) The degree is limited to the completion of the course of education or honorary degrees and must be limited to the principles of the church or religious organization.
3) The degrees granted must reflect the religious nature of the course of study, such as “religious associate’s,” “religious bachelor’s,” “religious master’s,” or “religious doctorate’s.”
4) Institutions exempt under this section shall be required to annually file with the Board of Higher Education to demonstrate its continued status as a nonprofit religious corporation under the Religious Corporation Act.
On April 8, the bill passed out of the Illinois Senate unanimously (55-0) with Illinois Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) as its sponsor. On May 13th, it passed out of the Illinois House Higher Education Committee meeting by a vote of 8-5 in spite of serious opposition by a variety of organizations. There were 22 witness slips filed in opposition to the bill, with only 1 witness slip in favor of it (ours).
Because of the strong opposition by the Board of Higher Education, Private College Association, community colleges, and some of the state universities, we will need strong support from grass roots for this bill to successfully pass out of the House of Representatives.
Take ACTION: Please click HERE to contact your state representative today to ask him or her to vote “Yes” on SB 2846.
