Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Robert Mullen Students walk into the Science Building Wednesday.

After hours of deliberation Tuesday evening, the Illinois Senate passed a Capital Program offering $24 billion with a 37-15 vote.

It needed at least 36 votes to pass.

Included in the program is $145 million for Southern Illinois University improvements, including $69.5 million to construct the long-anticipated second science building at SIUE.

Executive Assistant for Government Relations David Gross credited the actions of SIU President Glenn Poshard and SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift, as well as SIUE alumnus-Senators for helping the legislation to pass.

"President Poshard was here all day lobbying for the science building. He was in touch with Chancellor Vandegrift throughout the day," Gross said. "We worked a long time on this one. Our SIUE senators did a fantastic job today."

Gross said the capitol bill was especially important because it is the first of its kind in five years. Normally, Gross said, capital bills for university projects pass each year.

The next hurdle is a vote from the Illinois House, where some members have voiced concerns over financing the project.

To afford the projects, $12 billion was allotted from revenue gained through gambling expansions. The expansions include a land-based casino in Chicago as well as two other new casinos, and expanding employment at existing casinos.

House Speaker Mike Madigan said he had doubts about the success of a gambling expansion bill in the House, according to the State Journal-Register.

Gross is optimistic, however, and hopes the events on the Senate floor will be repeated in the House.

"It's going to create tremendous interest getting passed. I think the dynamics have change as a result of tonight's actions," Gross said Tuesday. "Both (Poshard and Vandegrift) are optimistic that this will create the momentum to finally pass a capital bill."

In a press statement, Poshard commended members of both parties of the House for passing the capital bill.

"The action taken tonight by the Illinois Senate is the most significant political progress to date in the effort to pass the state's first capital construction bill in numerous years," Poshard said. "These are projects that are desperately needed to replace outdated and overcrowded buildings and to expand educational opportunities for our students."

Also included in the program is $43.8 million for construction of a transportation and education building for the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus, as well as $21.8 million to renovate the Morris Library at SIUC. The SIU School of Medicine was also allotted $10 million for a regional center for patient safety.

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