Despite significant gains achieved during the late 1960's and early 1970's, the number of Black students, faculty members, and staff in higher education has been gradually declining. The Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in Higher Education (ICBCHE) was formed in 1982 with the intent of consolidating and coordinating efforts toward monitoring, halting, and reversing this adverse trend.

The ICBCHE is viewed as a progressive organization pledged to address a multitude of pressing issues confronting Black people on college campuses. ICBCHE is primarily composed of people who are involved in, and concerned with, various facets of post-secondary education. Membership encompasses the faculty, staff, students, and administrators of public and private educational institutions, legislators, and others who embrace the ICBCHE vision.