Governor Quinn Announces Capital Investments in Three Illinois Colleges

QUINCY - Governor Pat Quinn today announced investments totaling $2.3 million for projects at Quincy University as well as Illinois College and MacMurray College in Jacksonville. The investments are part of Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! construction program. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to improve higher education in Illinois, create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"Illinois' college students deserve inspiring spaces that provide all the tools they need to excel," Governor Quinn said. "Investments in these colleges will help them stay competitive with peer institutions and continue to develop well-prepared graduates. These funds will not only provide much-needed upgrades, but they'll also create much-needed jobs and help move our economy forward."

Quincy University will receive $1.5 million for technology upgrades and classroom and residence hall renovations. The funds will also be used to replace the roof of the Main Building, and fire sprinkler and security upgrades.

"We are very grateful for this critical infrastructure support, since Quincy University, like other independent institutions, provides educational and economic value for our region and our state without relying on state funding for operations," Quincy University President Robert Gervasi said. "This investment will allow us to upgrade our facilities and business processes to serve our students more effectively."

Illinois College will receive $539,888 for renovations to Whipple and Crampton Halls parking lot construction and the installation of a new fire safety system in the residence halls.

"Illinois College is delighted to receive this state investment, which is allowing us to make important capital improvements to several structures on our residential campus," Illinois College President Barbara A.Farley said. "As the first campus to grant a college degree in the state, two of our historic structures were ready for a facelift, enabling Illinois College to provide our students with modern classrooms and living-learning spaces."

Founded in 1829, Illinois College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to academic excellence and providing opportunities for experiential learning that prepare students for lifelong success.

MacMurray College will receive $323,140 for roof replacements on the Henry Pfeiffer Library, McClelland dining hall and Julian Hall. The investment will also fund repairs to the Education Complex and the installation of campus security sprinkler systems.

"This investment of capital funds at MacMurray College, where we have been educating students since 1864, advances our mission ‘to transform the lives of our students by providing an exceptional liberal arts general education and courses of study that prepare graduates for professional careers, further education, and other challenges facing the human community in the 21st century,'" MacMurray College President Colleen Hester said.

The investments are part of $100 million set aside this fiscal year in the Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program to address the critical needs of the state's private colleges and universities. So far under Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program, private universities have received $300 million to address their capital needs.

Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program is supporting more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.