The University of Illinois Board of Trustees today took action to further support development of two important anchor buildings at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park: the National Quantum Facility and Quantum Works.

The National Quantum Facility will house the cryogenic plant and shared research infrastructure that companies and researchers across the park will depend on, serving as the utility backbone of an ecosystem expected to draw quantum enterprises from around the world. Quantum Works, powered by Discovery Partners Institute, is where the park’s workforce-development activities will be housed.

“Illinois is not waiting for the quantum future. We are building it, together with Gov. Pritzker, state leaders and other academic and business partners,” University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen said. “These facilities are where a world-changing technology becomes Illinois jobs, Illinois careers and Illinois prosperity.”

To keep the two facilities on track, certain preliminary activities are progressing earlier than originally scheduled, including early procurement of long lead-time equipment and site-readiness efforts. Associated estimated predevelopment expenses have increased, and the board’s action increased the delegated authority limits from a total of $10.5 million to $27.9 million.

IQMP is a collaboration between public and private partners with complementary expertise. It is managed and operated by IQMP LLC, a university research organization under the auspices of the U of I Board of Trustees.

New vision for President's House

Trustees also approved a recommendation to transform the historic President’s House in Urbana into an executive event space that will serve the entire University of Illinois System while preserving its historic character. The action is part of a broader modernization of the system’s approach to executive housing, aligned with the board’s long-term strategic priorities.

Under the plan, the house will host convenings, ceremonies and engagements on behalf of the system, its universities and their partners — opening a signature property to broader use than a private residence allows. Killeen is being asked to identify renovations that enable the building’s expanded role and to bring forward recommendations on a new name for the facility, operations management and usage protocols. Consistent with this shift, the board directed Killeen to conduct a review and prepare a policy statement guiding the system’s long-term approach to executive housing.

One System, One Vision: Trustees hear strategy for AI in higher education

Trustees also received the first in a planned series of presentations on how the system’s three universities are working as one enterprise, beginning with a systemwide strategy for artificial intelligence. Killeen, joined by the chancellors across the system, described AI as an inflection point for higher education, one that is reshaping how universities teach, conduct research, support students and serve the public.

“We are positioning the University of Illinois System as a model for how higher education prepares people for the jobs of the future, advances knowledge and innovation, and strengthens communities and economies,” Killeen said.

Killeen told trustees that the system enters the AI era from a position of strength, with its universities already advancing artificial intelligence through world-class research, academic programs, health care applications, workforce initiatives and partnerships. He emphasized that the system’s goal is not simply adoption, but responsible, human-centered transformation, guided by clear governance, shared principles and engagement with faculty, staff and students across all three universities.

Each chancellor, in their dual role as a vice president of the system, presented one dimension of the strategy:

• University of Illinois Chicago Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda outlined treating data as a strategic asset, strengthening the system’s ability to use data responsibly to power AI tools, improve decision-making, personalize learning and enhance student support.
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Charles Isbell Jr. discussed advancing human-centered approaches to AI and technology, supporting teaching, advising, research and public service while ensuring adoption remains ethical, inclusive, transparent and centered on people.
• University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Janet Gooch focused on preparing learners and the next-generation workforce, adapting the system’s educational ecosystem to market demand through academic portfolio innovation, next-generation learning delivery, AI-augmented advising and lifelong learning.

Athletic contracts amended

The board also approved contract extensions for Urbana-Champaign Director of Athletics Josh Whitman and Chicago men’s basketball Coach Rob Ehsan, investments that reflect the board’s commitment to athletics programs that succeed on the field and in the classroom, where student-athletes at both universities continue to post strong academic performance alongside championship-caliber competition.

Whitman was hired to his current position in 2016 and his contract has been extended several times. The amendment today extends the contract through June 30, 2036, and adjusts his salary in recognition of his accomplishments.

The agreement may be further extended by up to three additional one-year increments if certain metrics are achieved.

Ehsan has coached Flames basketball for two seasons, last year leading the team to a third-place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference and a postseason berth in the National Invitation Tournament — the program’s first NIT appearance since 2003 and only the second in its history.

The board extended Ehsan’s contract by one year, through March 31, 2030, and increased his base salary.

Board-approved senior staff appointments

• Kathryn B. Chval, University of Illinois Chicago, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, effective July 17
• Steven Johnson Jr., University of Illinois Springfield, interim vice chancellor for student affairs, effective July 17