Governor Quinn Announces More Than $17 Million Capital Funding for College of Lake County

GRAYSLAKE – December 20, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced more than $17 million in Illinois Jobs Now! capital funding for construction of a new science building and renovation of existing science facilities at the College of Lake County’s Grayslake campus. The project will create more than 160 construction jobs and allow CLC campus facilities to keep pace with recent enrollment growth.

“This project will prepare the College of Lake County’s students for the high-tech jobs of the future, while creating more than a hundred jobs now,” Governor Quinn said. “The Illinois Jobs Now! capital program is creating good jobs throughout our state through major investment in our schools and communities.”

The 70,000-square-foot project will include five new chemistry laboratories, two new microbiology laboratories, three new engineering laboratories and six new classrooms. Renovations of seven existing laboratories and nine faculty offices as well as utility upgrades and site work including sidewalks, roadways, parking and landscaping will also be included. The $23.4 million project is supported by investments from Illinois Jobs Now! of $17.6 million and $5.8 million from CLC.

Project design is scheduled to begin in January 2012 with bids to be taken in mid-2013 and construction to be completed in 2015. The energy-efficient project will be submitted for a minimum of LEED Silver designation for its environmentally friendly design.

“We are very grateful for the Governor’s support of this project, which is so important to helping prepare our students for the science and technology-related careers that will drive tomorrow’s economy,” said CLC Board Chairman Dr. William M. Griffin.

President Jerry Weber noted, “Our students know that technology is always changing and this project is essential in advancing high quality educational opportunities - not just in traditional sciences like biology and chemistry but also in our health-care and engineering programs, and in emerging technologies like nanotechnology, lasers and photonics.”

Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! Program includes $1.5 billion for higher education, including $788 million for public universities and $400 million for community colleges. The $31 billion program will create 439,000 jobs over six years.