Governor Quinn Announces Investments in Central Illinois Private Colleges and Universities

PEORIA - Governor Pat Quinn today announced investments totaling $5.8 million for private colleges and universities in central Illinois. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to improve higher education, create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"A good education gives our students the preparation they need to compete in a 21st century economy," Governor Quinn said. "These investments in higher education will help these central Illinois schools stay competitive create jobs and drive the local economy forward."

Governor Quinn made the announcement today at Bradley University in Peoria, which will receive $3,041,820 for renovations to Westlake Hall. Other Peoria institutions that were part of today's funding announcement include St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing, which will get $189,017 to install a new fire safety system in the dormitory and classrooms, and $68,476 to Methodist College to help construct a dormitory for nursing students.

"The state's investment in this project has allowed us to provide state-of-the-art classrooms and outstanding facilities to educate future teachers, entrepreneurs and public service leaders," Bradley University President Joanne Glasser said. "The students we educate here today will make a difference as leaders tomorrow. Westlake now stands four stories tall and six times its former size, growing from 13,500 to 84,600 square feet as a pillar of excellence in learning."

Other investments for central Illinois colleges and universities announced today include:

• Knox College - $801,343 for Gizmo Deck improvements, installation of campus video security system, library roof repairs and remodeling Wallace Lounge.
• Monmouth College - $797,947 for residence hall construction, installation of residence hall fire sprinkler systems and window replacements.
• Lincoln University - $542,717 for installation of residence hall fires safety system, construction of outdoor environmental center and lab renovation and Lincoln Center renovations.
• Eureka College - $428,967 for residence hall electrical, plumbing and fire alarm upgrades and repairs, plus the construction of a new residence hall and the renovation of the science building.

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.