JJC Board Backs State Economic Development Board Seat in 5-1 Vote

Joliet Junior College | August 12, 2026

Article Summary: Joliet Junior College trustees voted 5-1 on Aug. 12 to approve the college’s membership in the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, with President Dr. Clyne Namuo saying he is the only community college president in the state invited to serve on its board. Trustee Maureen Broderick cast the lone no vote, questioning the cost and whether the membership fits the president’s contract.

Illinois Economic Development Corporation Key Points:

The item, consent agenda No. 3.2.6, was pulled by Broderick and approved 5-1 after roughly 10 minutes of debate.

Namuo said the organization, formerly Intersect Illinois, is charged with attracting business to the state and that he is the only community college president among 48 in Illinois invited to its board.

Broderick said the membership normally runs $50,000 annually, more than the college pays the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, and that it should have come to the board before being accepted.

Trustee Elaine Bottomley confirmed the membership carries a one-year term and will return to the board for review.

JOLIET — The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, approved the college’s membership in the Illinois Economic Development Corporation by a 5-1 vote, with Broderick opposed.

The item appeared on the board’s consent agenda as item 3.2.6 under Business Services. Broderick pulled it for separate consideration. Bottomley moved approval, seconded by Student Trustee Byron McCullum.

Broderick opened the discussion by citing the president’s employment contract, which she said limits paid memberships to organizations related to the Joliet area. “This is a huge dollar amount more than we even pay for the ICCTA, and I’m concerned that we’re violating the contract because the contract says Joliet only,” she said. “This is Chicago.” She said the item “should have been brought to us as the board first before any consideration of accepting,” and that the annual membership is normally $50,000.

Namuo described the organization and the invitation in detail. The Illinois Economic Development Corporation, “formerly known as Intersect Illinois, is charged with attracting businesses to the state of Illinois,” he said. “It is the most prestigious economic development organization in the state.” He said fellow board members include the presidents of the University of Chicago and Northwestern University and the chief executive of Constellation Energy.

“Of all 48 community colleges in the state of Illinois, due in large part to the success of our team and many of the things that we’ve been able to accomplish together, I’m the only community college president that’s been invited to serve on this board,” Namuo said.

He told trustees the seat should not be read as a personal benefit. “While it may be tempting to see this as the president’s seat on this board, it’s really not. This is more of an institutional economic development investment that just happens to be available to our wonderful college due to my activity and influence at the state level.”

On the contract question, Namuo said the provision at issue is Section 2.08 of his employment agreement, which he said refers to service clubs. “Illinois Economic Development Corporation is quite far from a service club,” he said, adding that he appreciates the board’s support of his membership in organizations such as the Joliet Rotary Club, “which is right in that service club category.”

Morales said the item demonstrated the process working as intended. “If it’s outside of their contract, these things have to be brought before the board for approval, and it’s being brought before the board for approval,” she said, congratulating Namuo on the appointment.

Bottomley said the membership aligns with the college’s strategic mission. “Economic development truly is more than just one location,” she said. “At the end of the day, most people don’t entirely care what municipality they’re in or what county they live in. They recognize that impacts happen beyond just arbitrary lines on a map.” She noted that students “are going to end up staying in our community or staying in the Chicago region or staying in the state,” and confirmed with the administration that the one-year term would come back to the board for review and an update before any renewal.

Harris called the seat “a good asset for us to have on our resume as a college,” noting Chicago’s proximity to Joliet. Bradley, attending his first regular meeting, said he had done business with the organization under both its names and praised its leadership and board.

In rebuttal, Broderick broadened her objection to the president’s time and the cost of senior administration. She said she has raised in emails to colleagues her concerns about the number of off-campus activities on the president’s calendar, asked what percentage of his time is spent in the office, and said the board is “paying him a good salary of $325,000.” She also questioned the college employing both a chief of staff and an executive vice president, saying her research indicated institutions typically have one or the other. “I’m very cost-conscious right now,” she said. “If we’re looking at raising tuition, but we’re still saying yes, yes to everything else, I can’t do that.”

Morales answered directly. “As a president of America’s first community college, Dr. Namuo, I don’t want to see you here. I need to see you out and about in the community building partnerships, bringing in different revenue streams of money, scholarships,” she said. “We’re not here to micromanage you or the college. More so here to guide you and support you in doing your job.” She added that she “would never be so rude and arrogant as to ask you for your calendar, because that’s not my job.”

Bottomley, McCullum, Bradley, Harris, Morales and Garcia Guillen voted yes; Broderick voted no.

The dollar amount the board actually approved is not stated in the minutes or the agenda, and the supporting board-book documentation for item 3.2.6 was not available for this report. The $50,000 figure is Broderick’s characterization of the organization’s standard membership, not a figure the board recorded.