Finally, the JobsNow Bill has been signed by Governor Quinn. This bill includes $57.3 million for the renovation of Lincoln Hall, and $44.5 million for the proposed new building for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, John Bardeen Hall (‘JBH’).

How long will until JBH is complete?

We are confident that our vision to build a $90 million building can be quickly realized.

I guess that’s still undetermined.

JobsNow: Champaign-Danville Highlights

We mentioned in February about how Lincoln Hall is empty, waiting for funds to be allocated to its renovation. Good news is here: The renovation of Lincoln Hall is among the $220 million in capital projects included in Quinn’s budget plan, which must now go to the General Assembly.

In applauding Quinn’s budget, a joint statement from UI President B. Joseph White and board of trustees Chairman Niranjan Shah said it “will reduce pressure on how much to raise tuition for incoming students and will allow us to address deferred maintenance of our classrooms, research laboratories and other academic facilities.”

Governor’s budget proposal has funds for UI’s priorities

As Lincoln’s 200th birthday passed last week, Lincoln Hall, which was built in 1909 to mark the 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, stood empty as it awaits renovations.

[Lincoln Hall] is now in “dire, dire need of renovation,” said Matthew Tomaszewski, an assistant U. of I. dean in charge of space and facilities. “The infrastructure is horrible. Classrooms are in really, really bad shape.”

Plans to overhaul the building have been on hold for years, as legislative leaders and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich couldn’t agree on a capital budget. Though a request for $57.3 million in capital funds was included in the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s budget request approved late last month, it’s uncertain when, or even whether, a capital bill will be approved by state lawmakers.

Chicago Sun-Times: Decrepit U. of I. Lincoln landmark misses out on festivities

Photo by Stephen Butler used under Creative Commons.