MOLINE, Illinois -
The odds for a new Western Illinois University campus in the Quad Cities are the best they've ever been. Over the weekend lawmakers approved millions in funding and those bills are now on the governor's desk.
At the Rock Island High School counseling office the wall is plastered with pendants from colleges and universities from across the country. But none are for a 4-year public university in the Quad Cities, not yet.
Counselor Sterling Kingery says, "I know a lot of our students are really struggling to come up with the funds to go off to college or university right now so it's a big deal for them."
Instead of having to worry about room and board in Macomb, Kingery's students could stay put.
The best part about it for us right now I think given the economy kids are either reluctant to go off to college or concerned about the cost of college this is a great opportunity for them to get a college close to home maybe not even leave home."
A brand new Western Illinois University could be on the riverfront where the old John Deere building sits. Lawmakers have passed two bills giving WIU $14 million to renovate that building and $42 million to build two new buildings.
Vice President for the Quad Cities, WIU, Joseph Rives says, "We're not there yet as you said the governor still has to sign the bill into law once funds are releases we would begin construction immediately."
Rives says after waiting close to seven years the campus could be complete for 3000 students in 16 to 24 months.
"As a freshman or sophomore in college if we open in two years you could be graduating from riverfront campus."
And the dream for high school students to get that degree and money to be pouring into down town seems attainable.
Kingery says, "I just think it's a great opportunity not only for our students but for our economy."
1600 students graduate from Rock Island High School and about 32 percent go to college. That number could increase once this campus is complete.
Both bills sit on the Governor Pat Quinn's desk. He has supported a WIU Quad Cities campus in the past but says he won't sign until lawmakers pass a budget.
At the Rock Island High School counseling office the wall is plastered with pendants from colleges and universities from across the country. But none are for a 4-year public university in the Quad Cities, not yet.
Counselor Sterling Kingery says, "I know a lot of our students are really struggling to come up with the funds to go off to college or university right now so it's a big deal for them."
Instead of having to worry about room and board in Macomb, Kingery's students could stay put.
The best part about it for us right now I think given the economy kids are either reluctant to go off to college or concerned about the cost of college this is a great opportunity for them to get a college close to home maybe not even leave home."
A brand new Western Illinois University could be on the riverfront where the old John Deere building sits. Lawmakers have passed two bills giving WIU $14 million to renovate that building and $42 million to build two new buildings.
Vice President for the Quad Cities, WIU, Joseph Rives says, "We're not there yet as you said the governor still has to sign the bill into law once funds are releases we would begin construction immediately."
Rives says after waiting close to seven years the campus could be complete for 3000 students in 16 to 24 months.
"As a freshman or sophomore in college if we open in two years you could be graduating from riverfront campus."
And the dream for high school students to get that degree and money to be pouring into down town seems attainable.
Kingery says, "I just think it's a great opportunity not only for our students but for our economy."
1600 students graduate from Rock Island High School and about 32 percent go to college. That number could increase once this campus is complete.
Both bills sit on the Governor Pat Quinn's desk. He has supported a WIU Quad Cities campus in the past but says he won't sign until lawmakers pass a budget.
