Fiscal Year 2008 Higher Education Budget Recommendations for Capital Improvements

              Item #4b
February 22, 2007
STATE OF ILLINOIS
BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION
FISCAL YEAR 2008 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
The fiscal year 2008 capital improvements budget recommendations total $414.5 million
to fund Regular Capital and Capital Renewal projects. The fiscal year 2008 recommendations
include projects recommended by the Board of Higher Education for fiscal year 2007 unless the
project has been released by the Governor. In addition to Regular Capital and Capital Renewal,
the capital budget recommendations include Opportunity Returns projects for which Governor
Blagojevich has released funds. These projects total $193.3 million. Project detail is provided in
the attached Tables 1 through 3 which present summary information by institution of projects
supported by the fiscal year 2008 discussion budget.
Regular Capital
The fiscal year 2008 capital budget recommendations continue to give priority to major
remodeling and infrastructure improvements as well as construction of facilities to meet
enrollment and program demands. The recommendations for Regular Capital total $364.5 million
and provide funding for 32 projects, including 13 major remodeling projects designed to upgrade
existing buildings and utility infrastructure to meet current use and code requirements and to
provide site improvements. Planning funds for major renovation projects on two public
university campuses are recommended, as are planning funds for new facilities on three
campuses. Funding is recommended for construction of three new facilities on public university
campuses and to purchase equipment to complete facilities for two public universities. Eight new
community college facilities or additions to existing facilities are recommended.
Regular capital projects must meet at least one of the following criteria:
􀂃􈍒 Remodeling, utilities, and site improvement projects that maintain and support existing
facilities.
􀂃􈍃 Construction projects that address enrollment and/or program demands.
􀂃􈍐 Projects given high priority by institutions, the Illinois Community College Board, or the
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, or projects previously recommended by the
Illinois Board of Higher Education.
􀂃􈍐 Projects that complete activities for which prior planning or construction funds have been
appropriated, or for which a commitment has been made as evidenced by bond
authorization.
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