Illinois state Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, is sponsoring a bill that would bring $7.2 million in state funding to Western Illinois University to create a WIU Innovation Center at its Quad Cities Riverfront Campus in Moline.
Mr. Halpin, who was recently named chair of the Illinois Senate Education Appropriations Committee that will consider Senate Bill 1308, said in a news release that the funding and the new center are designed to drive new initiatives in innovation, workforce development and economic growth in the Quad Cities.
“Our state must ensure it can continue to fully serve its students and the broader community,” Mr. Halpin said. “This funding will give WIU the boost it needs to tackle higher education needs in the Quad Cities and beyond.”
New public higher era
WIU President Kristi Mindrup said in the release, “As a lifelong resident of the Quad Cities, it is an honor to lead the next era of public higher education for our community.”
She added, “An additional $7.2 million investment in Western Illinois University will lead to exciting opportunities in education, engineering, and health care that meet the needs of the Quad Cities region and beyond.”
WIU is already launching several initiatives to help shape the next evolution of WIU-QC, including growing opportunities for local business through procurement and development assistance, WIU said in the release. The university also is building on programs that will position WIU-QC to implement community needs outlined in the recently released Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) “Thrive Quad Cities” report.
“These dollars will allow WIU to step forward,” said Mr. Halpin. “We must give the university the tools to enable a stable solution and this funding is the way to accomplish that goal.”
The “Thrive Quad Cities” report launched in 2023. It was to be the first in a series of regional analyses IBHE would conduct to support implementation of its state strategic plan.
