The Illinois House has rejected legislation that would cap the size of severance packages community colleges can offer to departing administrators.

Reports indicate the proposed law would have prohibited college boards from giving departing presidents more than one year's salary and benefits. It also would have limited standard contracts to four years and required public notice and approval of any new, amended or renewed employment deals.

The legislation was prompted by a $763,000 severance package offered by the College of DuPage to end president Robert Breuder's contract three years early.

The bill initially passed the House unanimously. However, it failed to get the necessary three-fifths votes needed to approve a watered-down Senate version that passed last month.

The Illinois Council of Community College Presidents and Illinois Community College Board opposed the legislation, arguing contracts should be decided by trustees.