Quinn Administration Dedicates $28.7 Million Parkland College Student Center

Press Release

Officials from the Governor Pat Quinn administration today joined school officials to dedicate the new $28.7 million Student Services Center at Parkland College. The new building was funded in large part by Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to improve educational opportunities in Illinois, create jobs and drive the state's economy forward.

"An investment in education is an investment in the future of our state," Governor Quinn said. "This new student center will provide students and faculty a central location on campus capable of fulfilling a variety of important educational needs."

"Parkland has a rich history of innovation and service in eastern Illinois, training students for in-demand careers," Illinois Capital Development Board Executive Director Jim Underwood said. "The Student Services Center improves the campus and offers students, faculty and staff a better environment to learn, teach and work."

"Parkland College has helped hundreds of thousands of students succeed, both academically and as active, contributing citizens of this state, since 1967," said Parkland President Thomas Ramage. "This stunning new front door to campus, made possible with matching funding assistance from the state of Illinois, lets us continue the excellent work of engaging the community in learning."

The three-story, 100,000-square-foot Student Services Center includes classrooms, a new bookstore, admissions and record offices, testing and assessment areas, a career center, offices for adult re-entry, student life, counseling, financial aid, disabilities services, campus security, and lounge and dining spaces. The center also includes a parking lot and improved sidewalks and driveways. The state invested $15.4 million and Parkland contributed $13.3 million toward the center's construction. The Illinois Capital Development Board managed the construction project.

The Student Services Center accommodates Parkland's increased enrollment and new and expanded programs. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards will be sought for the building, a testament to its environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient design.

The Student Services Center is part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 400,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.

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