The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois today approved the University of Illinois System administration’s request to the Illinois Board of Higher Education for a 10.9% increase in operating and capital appropriations from the state General Assembly in the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Under the request, the current state appropriations of $729.9 million would increase by $79.4 million.
“The state’s investment in the University of Illinois System delivers unmatched returns for people across Illinois — $3.60 for every dollar invested, 27,000 new graduates each year who fuel our economy and strengthen our communities, medical care that is vital to hundreds of thousands, and research that tackles the challenges we all face,” U of I System President Tim Killeen said. “We look forward to working with our elected leaders to continue supporting the crucial work happening every day at our three universities and beyond.”
The request includes an additional $55 million to the University of Illinois Hospital in consideration of the current estimated impact of federal legislation that reduces Medicaid funding and eligibility across the nation, as well as the elimination of the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program in Illinois.
“The additional funding for academic operations will allow the three system universities to support academic excellence, improve student outcomes, and continue providing world-class education to Illinois students to prepare the next generation of leaders who will support the state’s economic development,” Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs Nick Jones and Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller Paul Ellinger wrote in their proposal to the board.
Quantum facility
The board also delegated to the comptroller the authority to initiate a predevelopment process for construction of two facilities in the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park — the National Quantum Facility, a 60,000-square-foot building that will provide essential infrastructure to advance quantum technology development and testing; and Quantum Works, a 115,000-square-foot state-of-the-art building designed to accommodate researchers, IQMP staff and private-sector partners. Quantum Works also will house Discovery Partners Institute South, a second location for DPI operations.
Board-approved campus senior staff appointments and restructurings:
Chicago
- Dr. Enrico Benedetti, interim G. Stephen Irwin Dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and Scott Jones, interim chief executive officer of the University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics, both effective Jan. 16.
- Lionel E. Allen Jr., vice chancellor for engagement, University of Illinois Chicago, effective Nov. 16.
- Sharron Evans, vice chancellor for student affairs, Chicago, effective Jan. 16. Evans currently is associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Iowa State University.
Urbana-Champaign
- Aimee Heeter, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s senior vice chancellor for finance and administration, effective Nov. 16. The position blends units from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Operations and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance.
- Robin Kaler, chief of staff for the chancellor and vice chancellor for administrative strategy, effective Nov. 16. The position acts as an advisor to the chancellor and leads strategic initiatives, policy development, administrative accountability, communications, issues management and special projects.
- Urbana-Champaign’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion restructured and renamed the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Access, Civil Rights, and Community, effective Jan. 1. Gioconda Guerra Pérez remains interim vice chancellor designate.
- Susan Martinis, senior vice chancellor for research and innovation at Urbana-Champaign, effective Nov. 16. The change recognizes the role’s expansion during her eight years as vice chancellor for research and innovation.
