SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – Southern Illinois University could establish a campus close to the Illinois Capitol in Springfield.
Illinois Sen. Andy Manar introduced Senate Bill 179, which he says would give $50 million of state capital funds to SIU in the form of a grant, which would pay for the creation of a campus and public policy center in downtown Springfield. His office says the campus would have to be within 1 mile of the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, which is located at 801 N. Rutledge St.
In March of 2018, SIU leaders expressed interest in placing a satellite law school campus in downtown Springfield or Edwardsville. Manar’s press release says one are to consider would be the vacant block near the governor’s mansion where the YWCA used to be.
“There is enormous potential in the idea of SIU placing a public policy center steps from the Capitol,” Manar said. “Coupled with a law school or something associated with the medical school, I think SIU could have a significant and lasting impact on downtown Springfield and the capital city at large.”
Manar says his bill is coming at the right time because lawmakers are taking about a potential capital bill. He added that Springfield should have “something substantial” in that bill when the time comes.
Thursday, SIU Director of Government and Public Affairs issued this statement:
SIU is grateful for Senator Manar’s support and his proposal that would provide $50 million to construct a new academic and research building in downtown Springfield. The proposal would allow the university to upgrade existing programs and establish new ones to benefit students and the Springfield community.
SIU has long had the goal of expanding its presence in Springfield. For many years we have developed plans to locate a satellite of the SIU School of Law in Springfield. A new facility could also provide an opportunity to expand educational opportunities for individuals and for SIU System offices and WSIU Public Broadcasting which recently acquired central Illinois PBS Stations to be housed there.
Springfield has always been the main campus for the SIU School of Medicine. For 50 years the School of Medicine has provided education, research, patient care and community service to the people and communities of central and southern Illinois. This new building would provide a facility for a collaborative approach for medical and healthcare research through an incubator that would include the spectrum of basic science, clinical and population health research, and would allow for the development, production, and dissemination of new products and services.
In the coming months, as a capital bill is formalized, the university looks forward to working with Senator Manar, our campus legislators and all members of the General Assembly, as well as the Governor’s Office and local and county officials to improve opportunities for the Springfield and central/southern Illinois region.
