Illinois Capital Development Board Releases Nearly $10 Million in Funding to University of Illinois - Chicago Towards the Renovation of the Façade

CHICAGO - The Illinois Capital Development Board today announced nearly $10 million has been released for the renovation of the façade of the Science and Engineering South Building at University of Illinois - Chicago (UIC). The funding will help address deferred maintenance projects on University of Illinois - Chicago campus that have been stalled due to a lack of investment by previous administrations. Made possible by Governor 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.

"Illinois is home to the best universities and research centers in the world and boasts a talented workforce that attracts companies from across the globe," said Governor JB Pritzker. "The long overdue renovation of the façade on the UIC campus, made possible through funding from the historic bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan, will further cement the university's place as a world-class institution that excels in preparing talented students for the careers of tomorrow."

"I am thankful to the State of Illinois for investing in repairing and replacing of the masonry, tuckpointing, and other exterior repairs," said CDB Executive Director Jim Underwood. "The Rebuild Illinois capital plan is essential for upgrading and improving facilities throughout the state."

"Maintaining our facilities is critical to ensure that our students have the educational and research opportunities they need to be successful in their careers," said Michael Amiridis, UIC Chancellor. "The Science and Engineering South building houses laboratories, classrooms and offices for our physics, earth and environmental sciences, and chemistry departments where the work ranges from computational modeling and simulations of big data to drug discovery. We are grateful to Governor Pritzker and Rebuild Illinois for the continued support."

"The University of Illinois at Chicago is a world-class institution, and it's critically important that we maintain the facility to continue to attract talented staff and students. The announcement of nearly $10 million for structural repairs reflects the state's commitment to that cause, and I'm thankful that the Rebuild Illinois capital program is addressing the needs of our higher education system," State Senator Patricia Van Pelt said.

"Today's announcement of capital funding to the University of Illinois Chicago will be a tremendous asset to the longevity and attraction of the institution. The state has neglected this type of regular maintenance for too long, and I thank Governor Pritzker for recognizing that investments in our institutions of higher learning is an investment in our future workforce," stated State Representative Lakesia Collins.
           
The historic Rebuild Illinois capital plan passed with bipartisan super-majorities 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.