It is still too early to tell if the impeachment of former governor Rod Blagojevich will make a huge impact on NEIU. No major changes have been announced by Governor Pat Quinn on any agenda items from the former governor that directly affect the university.
Blagojevich took on the proposed NEIU Education Building and used it as a major part of his capital plan. Blagojevich put out a press release that featured the building. The building is still on the list for capital development projects in Illinois.
“One of the good things for NEIU is that governor Quinn is familiar with NEIU,” said Mark Wilcockson, Vice President of Financial Affairs. “He has spoken about students passing the green fee and other things about NEIU in his speeches as lieutenant governor”, The university does not have any direct involvement with the transition, but are being represented by the Board of Higher Education.
State funding has been increased 4.5 percent in the past years for NEIU. Funding was cut after the budget was passed this fiscal year due to state money shortfalls. The state is currently in an estimated nine billion dollar deficit. “It will be interesting to see how the general assembly tackles these issues,” said Wilcockson. “They are going to have to do some kind of capital bill, but what it will look like is still in question. Will the bill just be basic roads and bridges or will it be larger, including things such as the education building?”
On Jan. 29, Blagojevich was impeached by the Illinois Senate in a 59-0 vote. Quinn was immediately sworn in as governor of Illinois. Blagojevich said he was dedicated to working for the people in the private sector. This is in the wake of Blagojevich’s arrest on Dec. 9 on federal charges for ‘pay to play’ policies. Allegedly Blagojevich was going to sell President Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat for campaign contributions.