Twenty-five years ago, Americans could make a good living by combining initiative with a high school diploma. Today, however, 85 percent or the jobs that support a middle class lifestyle require more than a high school education.

That's why Illinois has a love affair with its 48 community colleges. Located within easy driving distance of every resident, Illinois community colleges provide an affordable path to employment in the new millennium.

More than 100 years ago, visionaries at Joliet Junior College (JJC) foresaw the need for affordable postsecondary education in Illinois. When they opened JJC they started a movement that has led to the creation of more than 1,200 community and technical colleges throughout the United States.

Today, Illinois boasts 48 colleges. Every high school district is attached to one or more public community colleges. The colleges offer the first two years of a baccalaureate degree. They also offer programs that prepare students to enter the workforce after only a few months or years of training.

The economic impact of Illinois community colleges is nothing short of startling. Each year the colleges add more than $30 billion to the state's total economy. Community college students earn an average of 23 percent on the time and money they invest in their classes. In their lifetimes, community college graduates earn $345,000 more than if they had never attended college.

Because community colleges' alumni get better jobs, they pay more taxes. Those additional tax revenues more than match what taxpayers originally pay to operate the college. In fact, taxpayers get their community college investment back at the rate of 13 percent per year.

Because they are located where we live, community colleges give us a chance to return to school whatever our age might be. The average Illinois community college student is 31 and many of us are on the far side of 50. My last community college class was in PowerPoint. It was affordable, convenient, and it was offered at a time that fit my schedule. Moreover, my instructor gave me her name and number and when I had a follow-up question last week, she helped me get the answer I needed. Now that's service!

In addition to offering pre-baccalaureate and vocational courses, community colleges prepare students to study at the college level. They offer "enrichment" courses that improve the quality of life of persons who don't happen to live in a university town. By teaching English as a second language, community colleges move immigrants into productive jobs.

Using newly acquired economic data, community colleges hire only the professors that they will need. As a result, their productivity is unmatched in American higher education. Many community college professors work in the profession they teach. For example, instead of studying law from a professor who has spent all of his life doing research, community college students study law from practicing attorneys.

As a strategic planning consultant to several rural electric cooperatives (RECs) in Illinois, I see the strong ties between RECs and community colleges. If you have a suggestion on how this natural partnership can be strengthened, I would be glad to hear from you. I meet regularly with members of Illinois community college boards, and I'll be glad to convey your messages to them. You can reach me at (800) 454-2282, or email gdavis@ communitycolleges.org, or Illinois Community College Trustees Association, 401 E. Capitol Avenue, Suite 200, Springfield, IL 62701. Or look for me at www.communitycolleges.org.

Gary Davis has been the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association since 1986. He grew up on a north-west Iowa hog and cattle farm served by an electric cooperative.

The opinions and views of guest commentators are their own and may not represent those of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives or the electric co-ops of Illinois.