The state coordinating board for community colleges has started searching for a new executive director.

The Illinois Community College Board announced Tuesday that its chairman, Alexi Giannoulias, is leading the search committee.

The board's current executive director announced earlier this month that he plans to retire at the end of June.

Illinois has 48 community colleges in 39 districts and has the nation's third largest community college system enrollment.

The executive director reports directly to the board and is the chief community college system representative working with the governor's office, legislative committees, the state board of higher education and other state agencies.