Governor's proposal for NIU's Cole Hall merits good dose of skepticism
Puterbaugh is Editor in Chief of the Northern Star, Northern Illinois University's college newspaper.
Governor Rod Blagojevich came to DeKalb Wednesday to announce grand plans for the fate of Cole Hall at Northern Illinois University and the development of a new building to be called Memorial Hall. There is no denying that determining what to do with Cole Hall and the ground it sits on continues to be a difficult process, and the involvement and assistance of state legislators and the governor only makes it more complicated. While Gov. Blagojevich is talking big about a $40 million state-of-the-art facility funded by Illinois taxpayers' money, it is impossible to overlook the financial reality that is Springfield politics.
NIU has an immediate need in determining the future of Cole Hall, but NIU also has needs that have existed and seemingly been ignored in Springfield for years. The Stevens Building has needed money for renovation for nearly 10 years now, as NIU President John Peters attested to in a Northern Star story nearly one year ago. Last March, the Northern Star editorial board wrote an open letter to Gov. Blagojevich elaborating on the condition of the Stevens Building and illustrating how badly money was needed to make proper renovations and repairs. Upon receiving our letter, Gov. Blagojevich triumphantly announced in planning for fiscal year 2008 that he had included $19 million for Stevens Building work. It was exciting to feel like our governor was indeed listening to us and taking initiative in supporting our education as college students.
The problem: Our $19 million for the Stevens Building never made it to NIU. Like so much else having to do with funding in Illinois, it seems to have disappeared or died somewhere in Springfield. To date, the Stevens Building remains at No. 10 on the priority list for higher education capital improvements in the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Recommendations for Higher Education.
I don't want to put a damper on Wednesday's announcement by President Peters and Gov. Blagojevich, but it's important to maintain perspective. Our administrators at NIU have done a great job handling an indescribably difficult situation and they continue to do so. President Peters and the administration decided razing Cole Hall in favor of a new building was the best course of action and I wholeheartedly support them in that decision. But when Gov. Blagojevich comes to town promising money, it's important to realize what that potentially means.
Coming to DeKalb must have provided quite an escape for the governor, away from Chicago where earlier this week he was identified as "Public Official A" in court files pertaining to the Tony Rezko case. This escape also took him away from Springfield, where perhaps the country's greatest legislative stalemate continues over anything to do with a state budget. It sounds good for our governor to come to DeKalb talking about $40 million to raze Cole Hall and erect a new building, but this is unfeasible and in fact irresponsible of him to do. Barsema Hall, NIU's newest academic building, cost just over $20 million to build and if you've been inside you know how just how nice it is. So is $40 million really an appropriate amount to suggest to NIU and to the state legislature? What this does is make Gov. Blagojevich look good at the expense of state legislators, who time and time again must be the "bad guys" when they are simply unable to provide money that isn't there.
NIU must do something about Cole Hall, and it is encouraging that our governor and local state legislators are pledging their support by bringing our dilemma to Springfield with the intent of financing a solution. At the same time though, it's important to keep this thing in perspective. There isn't a lot of extra money in the Illinois state budget, so Gov. Blagojevich's actions and promises must remain scrutinized. After all, I'd hate to think our unspeakable tragedy of Feb. 14 could be viewed and taken advantage of as nothing more than an opportunity for the governor to improve his image in the public's eye.