Governor Quinn Announces $416,000 for Construction Project at Eastern Illinois University

CHARLESTON - Governor Pat Quinn today announced an investment of $416,000 for a construction project at Eastern Illinois University. Funded by his Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, the project is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to creating jobs and driving Illinois' economy forward.

"A parking lot may not be an exciting project, but the fact that the university needs more parking to accommodate students is a good indication," Governor Quinn said. "The project will also employ a number of construction workers, which helps move the local economy forward."

Three 40,000-gallon underground storage tanks will be removed from an area on the Eastern Illinois University campus so the university can create a parking lot. The tank removal will be done by Illinois Oil Marketing Equipment, Inc. of Pekin, the lowest of three bidders ay $416,425. The Illinois Capital Development Board will manage the project.

"Having more students than available parking places is a good problem to have, but I'm sure students, faculty, administrators and visitors will be happy to hear steps are being taken to reduce traffic and parking congestion at the university," State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) said.

The project is part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.