SIC to receive more than $596,000 for exterior repairs

HARRISBURG - The Illinois Capital Development Board on Thursday announced more than $596,000 has been released from the state toward exterior repairs at Southeastern Illinois College.

Local matching funds bring the total investment to more than $794,000.

The funding will help address deferred maintenance projects on the SIC campus that have been stalled due to a lack of investment by previous administrations. Made possible by Gov. JB 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," Pritzker said. "With funding from the Rebuild Illinois capital plan, Southeastern Illinois College will be able to complete long-needed maintenance work, further cementing its place as an educational leader that excels in preparing talented students for the careers of tomorrow."

"I am thankful for the investment the state of Illinois is making in the restoration of this facility through the repair of the exterior of buildings throughout the campus, which includes replacing the sealant around windows, doors, and skylights," said CDB Executive Director Jim Underwood. "The Rebuild Illinois capital plan is essential to upgrading and improving facilities throughout the state."

"Southeastern Illinois College is excited by and thankful for the support from Gov. Pritzker and the Rebuild Illinois Funds for these needed deferred maintenance projects on our campus," SIC President Dr. Jonah Rice said. "This funding will allow SIC to continue to serve students in exceptional facilities."

The historic Rebuild Illinois capital plan passed with bipartisan supermajorities and will invest $45 billion in roads, bridges, railways, universities, early childhood centers, and state facilities like the new crime lab and veterans' homes, creating, and supporting an estimated 540,000 jobs over the life of the six-year plan and revitalizing local economies across the state.