Governor Quinn Dedicates Southwestern Illinois College's New Liberal Arts Complex Addition

BELLEVILLE - Governor Pat Quinn today dedicated Southwestern Illinois College's new $19.1 million Liberal Arts Complex addition, a green building that is improving energy efficiency at the school's Belleville Campus while providing better opportunities for SWIC students. The 78,000-square-foot building expansion, funded by the Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to give every child the opportunity for a high-quality education while protecting our natural resources for generations to come.

"This building is a modern facility where students are preparing for the jobs of tomorrow, and it shows how far we have come in the use of green technology and recycled materials in building construction," Governor Quinn said. "I was once a community college teacher and I know firsthand how an investment in our community colleges pays many long-term dividends for our economy by building up a highly trained workforce."

The three-story addition to the Liberal Arts Complex is designed to achieve a minimum of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certification. Green features include an awning-covered "sustainability terrace," rain gardens to recharge local groundwater by slowing water runoff and a white roof to reduce energy consumption. Recycled steel was used in the building's construction, as well as local materials that reduced the fuel used in delivery, reduced carbon dioxide and boosted the local economy. The use of recycled and reclaimed materials diverted tons of waste from landfills.

The Liberal Arts Complex addition accommodates SWIC's English, reading, speech, literature, foreign language, philosophy, film studies and mass communications programs. It has 23 classrooms, a computer lab and media production facilities. The addition opened in 2013.

"We sincerely appreciate the support we've always received from Governor Quinn and our regional legislators," SWIC President Georgia Costello, Ph.D. said. "Besides the much needed new classroom space, every dollar invested in a community college yields a three-fold return to our regional economy. As part of our Illinois Green Economy Network of community colleges commitment, we incorporated sustainable design elements and energy efficiency measures that will save money for generations to come."

The $19.1 million state investment was part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which is supporting more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.

Established in 1946, SWIC serves more than 24,000 students annually at three campuses in Belleville, Granite City and Red Bud, and numerous off-campus sites, including Scott Air Force Base and the East St. Louis Community College Center. The college offers more than 150 associate degree and occupational certificate program options including online and accelerated courses.