In 2020, the District 540 Board of Trustees approved a Facilities Master Plan for Heartland Community College.
The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) requires a Facilities Master Plan to be on file to provide a vision and foundation for the continuity of the institution’s physical environment and ensure that the College has safe, inviting, and welcoming facilities that foster community growth and student success.
Led by Executive Director of Facilities and Public Safety and HCC faculty, the Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee (FMSPC) worked with Legat Architects to formulate a plan to guide the College for decades to come.
Key to the plan was identifying the projected needs of the community. Over nine months the FMSPC gathered input from the entire campus community and combined that with data gathered from a District environmental scan conducted by Northern Illinois University. The resulting plan presents a number of options to guide the District 540 Board of Trustees and HCC leadership in developing the physical footprint of Heartland Community College.
The Ag Complex opened for classes on January 16, 2024.
Learning Space For:
plant science
soil analysis
precision planting technology
drone technology
heavy equipment
agribusiness and more
Heartland Community College opened a new plaza dedicated to former College President Rob Widmer and his family in October 2022. The project was partially funded with donations from individuals in celebration Rob Widmer’s service to Heartland.
Widmer Family Plaza honors former President Rob Widmer’s 22 year tenure with the organization and his 40-year career in higher education at Heartland.
A lot is changing on the Normal campus. Stay informed about relocations via the Campus Relocations page. Updates will be ongoing as student service locations move.
Career Closet – WDC second floor, south lobby
Esports - FRC 2002 (will re-open in WDC third floor in Spring 2026)
Student Success - WDC 2700
Testing Center – WDC 2600
The Facilities Master Plan calls for a number of other projects that will transform the Main Campus.
Projects include renovations of the Workforce Development Center (WDC) to house student services, Science Lab remodels, infrastructure updates, and additional work on the Landscape Master Plan.
Below see a list of projects that are ongoing, completed, or planned for the near future.
Renovation of classrooms and computer networking is complete. Furniture installed in classrooms. Some classrooms will be out of use until the end of Spring semester.
Timeline: 6/1/25 - 12/1/26
Walking/biking trail and other features have been added around Birky Pond, connecting to Constitution Trail. Trail is open for use but some additional features will be added as the weather permits. The footbridge concrete added in the spring.
Timeline: 4/24/25 - 4/2/26
Testing Center and Student Success Office open. Student Counseling and Wellness Services has moved to a new location in WDC 2200. Career Closet and Food Pantry are open. Renovations for Esports arena (third floor) are complete, but IT installation continues.
Timeline: 6/1/25 - 3/6/26
Redesign of south entrance. Plaza added to south side of building. Second elevator will be installed. Enrollment Services, Adult Education, and Student Access and Accommodation Services will move to second floor.
Timeline: 6/1/26 - 3/1/27
Renovation of (former) Student Counseling and Wellness suite and move of CTE offices to 2400.
Timeline: 2/1/26 - 3/6/26
A 1.07 MW fixed-axis Solar Array Field (Phase 1) will be built on the Main Campus just north of the Receiving Building. Posts, structure, and panels are in place. Transformer, switch gear, metering, and connections will continue in 2026.
Timeline: 8/1/25 - 8/30/26