The funding is made possible by the Governor’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan, the largest capital plan in state history.

“Four years ago, when I took office, going to college in the state of Illinois seemed more affordable than ever before,” said Pritzker, who spoke at Morris University Center. “Funding for higher education had been cut so badly that out-of-state tuition in other states was more affordable than in-state tuition here in Illinois, and that’s not right.

“My partners in the General Assembly recognized that and we’ve worked together over the last four years to make college attainable for every Illinois student. We’ve also worked to increase enrollment in all our institutions.”

Pritzker noted that across the state, freshman enrollment increased by 5%, the highest it’s been in at least six years. Nationwide, meanwhile, college enrollment decreased by 2.4% over the past year.

“That’s a big deal and that means Illinois is leading the nation,” Pritzker said. “Here at SIUE, freshman enrollment is up 12% over 2019 and advanced degree students are the highest numbers in decades. The smartest young people are choosing SIUE in greater numbers. That’s great progress that we should celebrate, but there is more to do.”

This year, Pritzker is proposing the highest increase for higher education in more than 20 years.

While making efforts to lower tuition in colleges across the state, Pritzker added that Illinois is also taking MAP grants to new heights, with a proposed $100 million increase in funding.

“It means that we’re providing record-breaking numbers of state scholarships and raising the amount of each grant,” Pritzker added. “As we make college tuition more affordable for students, we also need to invest in new facilities.

“Rebuild Illinois capital plan dedicates nearly $2.8 billion for state and community college infrastructure across the state. Over $280 million of that is directed to the SIU System including $109 million for the new health sciences building here at SIUE.”

Other speakers at the press conference included SIUE Chancellor Dr. James T. Minor, SIU System President Dan Minor, State Rep. Katie Stuart and Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy. State Rep. Amy Elik and State. Jay Hoffman also attended the event.

“Higher education is more important today than it has ever been for keeping economic and social mobility alive,” Minor said. “It strengthens our communities and reinforces the very fabric of our democratic nation.

“We know that for public universities like SIUE, the partnership with the state of Illinois is important for keeping college within reach for many families and deserving students. I’m pleased to say that today in the state of Illinois, there is a commitment to public higher education and to college affordability.”

Minor is especially excited about the new health sciences building, which will accommodate the School of Pharmacy and the School of Nursing.

“We’re also pleased to say that today that because of state investments and financial aid, 30% of SIUE undergraduates are MAP grant recipients, which puts them on the path to earning a college degree,” Minor said.

Virgie Jones, a freshman engineering student from Cahokia Heights, represented the SIUE student body at the press conference. She is proof of the value of MAP grants.

“MAP has allowed me to attend college without the financial stress,” said Jones, who is studying civil engineering. “Coming from Cahokia Heights, it was extremely difficult to find scholarships and grants to pursue higher education. Coming to SIUE was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

“Although SIUE is affordable, I would not have been able to attend without the MAP grant. Brought up in a single-parent household, I knew I could go to college if I could pay for it. There are so many things they offer here at SIUE, and I’ve joined student organizations within my major like National Society of Black Engineers and build networks with people who want to see me succeed.”

Mahony, meanwhile, discussed the importance of meeting the financial needs of incoming college students.

“Across the SIU System, we’re setting records for admissions applications year after year, and we’ll do that again in the fall of 2023,” Mahony said. “There are continued opportunities for those same students to work with their parents and school counselors to complete their financial paperwork before graduating high school to determine their eligibility for scholarships, grants and awards.”

“Rep. Stuart’s bill will eliminate some of the red tape to universities easier access on graduating high school students in the state of Illinois so they can share information about the colleges and universities that we have right here.”

Last year across the SIU System, 5,400 students were awarded more than $22 million in MAP grants.

“It’s hard to put into words how important that is,” Mahony said.

Prior to being elected to public office, Stuart was teaching classes in the math department at SIUE. She was able to witness firsthand some of the financial issues that the SIU System was struggling with.

“I was getting messages saying ‘this cut is coming’ at the department, college and university levels. At the same time, I was seeing the numbers in my classes going from 25 or 30 to 45 or 50,” Stuart said. “I still had students coming in during the first week of class begging for a spot and if they couldn’t take the class this semester, it was going to mess up all of their plans.

“This continued disinvestment in higher ed was hurting our students and our faculty and it was putting the future of institutions like SIUE at real risk. We finally broke the budget impasse that was imposed by our previous administration and under the leadership of Gov. Pritzker, in the last four years we’ve been making strides to fill that deep abyss. I can’t express my appreciation for my colleagues in the General Assembly and our governor and his administration that it values public institutions like SIUE.”

Risavy, likewise, is anxious for the arrival of the new health sciences complex. Activity will begin on site in spring 2023, with construction slated to begin in the fall. Project completion is anticipated for summer 2025.

“SIUE already serves its students and this community wonderfully, and this new complex will continue that tradition of excellence,” Risavy said. “We are eager to watch as this development takes shape, and happily anticipate its opening.” 

The Illinois Capital Development Board will oversee the project in accordance with the protocol for state-appropriated construction projects. The design build firm is Clayco + PoetkkerJV with Lamar Johnson Collaborative, Inc. and Christner, Inc. serving as the lead architects on the project. Hellmuth Obata & Kassabaum, Inc. has been selected as the bridging firm.