Funding to Repair Aging Facilities Made Possible by Governor Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan
CARBONDALE – The Illinois Capital Development Board today announced over $4.3 million has been released for the replacement of sewer line, repairs to the campus streamline, and tunnel at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. The funding will help address deferred maintenance projects on the Southern Illinois University – Carbondale campus that has been stalled due to a lack of investment by previous administrations. Made possible by Governor Pritzker’s bipartisan capital plan, the first in nearly a decade, the renovation work will create good jobs and economic opportunities for residents in the surrounding community. CDB will oversee the project’s renovation under the protocol for state-appropriated capital projects.
“It is the duty of elected officials to provide young people with the tools and resources they need to shape their future and achieve their dreams,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With funding from the Rebuild Illinois capital plan, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale will be able to complete long-needed maintenance work, further cementing its place as a world-class institution that excels in preparing talented students for the careers of tomorrow.”
“I am thankful for the State of Illinois’ initiative to address the overdue maintenance of universities and colleges,” said CDB Executive Director Jim Underwood. “The Rebuild Illinois capital plan is essential for upgrading and improving facilities throughout the state, and it’s a privilege to have an investment of this magnitude.”
“Just like the important background work our faculty and staff do to ensure academic programs and support services meet the needs of our students, there exists an entire level of infrastructure buried in the ground or hidden behind walls that ensures our facilities operate at full capacity. Thanks to the commitment of our SIU System legislative delegation and the leadership of Governor Pritzker through Rebuild Illinois, these ‘behind the scenes’ improvements will ensure the Carbondale campus is ready to support the needs of our growing student body for many years to come,” said SIU System President Dan Mahony.
“Today’s announcement of infrastructure funding to Southern Illinois University Carbondale is the type of project we were all thankful to see addressed in the Rebuild Illinois capital plan. The critical services provided by Illinois’ higher education system necessitates that we maintain the facilities properly, and a new sewer network throughout the entire campus will help ensure the uninterrupted longevity of the institution,” said State Senator Terri Bryant (R – Murphysboro).
“Southern Illinois University in Carbondale provides a tremendous benefit to the people of Southern Illinois, and I’m appreciative to see this amount of infrastructure investment. As member of the House Appropriations – Higher Education Committee I hear all too frequently this type of financial plea from our universities, and it is our duty to make sure that the institutions’ needs are being met,” said State Representative Paul Jacobs (R – Carbondale).
“The City of Carbondale expresses our gratitude to the State of Illinois for providing 4.3 million dollars to make essential infrastructure repairs for the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale campus. Our Carbondale campus serves the region throughout the year and any improvements made will increase the quality of life for our community, students, and visitors,” said Carbondale Mayor Mike Henry.
The historic Rebuild Illinois capital plan passed in 2019 with bipartisan super-majorities and will invest $45 billion in roads, bridges, railways, universities, early childhood centers, and state aging facilities like a new ISP crime lab and Quincy Veterans’ Home over the next five years, creating and supporting an estimated 540,000 jobs over the life of the plan and revitalizing local economies across the state.
