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.

It’s the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. In this “Land of Lincoln” we should be proud of our honest leader. That quality itself is something hard to find in Illinois politics. In honor of Abe’s b-day, I’d like to share a story. No, it’s not about when I went to see Lincoln’s tomb, or the Lincoln log cabin, or the bronze bust in Lincoln hall, or the time we left my little brother in Ford’s theatre. I am going to tell you about something that happened way back in 1862.

In 1862, Lincoln signed the College Land Grant Act. For those of you who don’t know, this legislature became the initial funding for the University of Illinois.

I hope that one day the University of Illinois is recognized as Mr. Lincoln’s University (just as the University of Pennsylvania is known as Mr. Franklin’ University and the University of Virginia is known as Mr. Jefferson’s University). Land-grant colleges were called people’s colleges or farmers’ colleges, and they were also known as democracy’s colleges, a title I love and one that describes what the University of Illinois is all about. - Dr. Vernon Burton, a professor emeritus of history, sociology, and African American studies at U of I and is the author of Age of Lincoln.

It’s important to understand history and to know that President Abraham Lincoln was an important player in the creation of the U of I. Lincoln once said about the state of Illinois: ” To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything.”

There are a number of bi-centennial celebrations all across the country. A large celebration will take place in Illinois’ capital city, Springfield that includes a speech by President Obama.  Check out the following links for event calendars and fun resources about the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln Remembered – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Lincoln – Illinois Bicentennial Commission
Lincoln Bicentennial – Library of Congress

This Thursday will mark the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. The event known as the Lincoln Bicentennial, is planned to include numerous events through the Land of Lincoln including a visit to Springfield from President Obama. Follow The Quad on Thursday for our Lincoln Bicentennial special. To calm your anxiety until then, check out the Main Library for a special Lincoln exhibit.

This month, to mark the Lincoln bicentennial on February 12, there is an exhibit of items from the Library’s Illinois History and Lincoln Collections. These materials are displayed on the first floor of the Main Library, both in the Marshall Gallery and in the South Hallway. The cases in the Gallery contain graphics relating to the Lincoln assassination, a subject of perennial interest. Items in the cases and on the wall of the hallway, beginning at the south door, illustrate Lincoln’s political rise, his family, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address, the close of the Civil War, and the Lincoln legacy.

Apparently “the university has no plans for a new mascot or symbol.” This was announced by Chancellor Richard Herman after a long speculation of a new mascot. It has been a joke for months in student circles, some suggesting the “Dinosaurs” or even the “Lincoln Top Hats.”

Illini dealing with life after Chief