COD moving ahead with learning center project

The College of DuPage will move forward with the planned construction of a Teaching and Learning Center, despite the loss of a $20 million construction grant from the state, spokesman Joseph Moore said.

The school's board of trustees already had committed $30 million for construction of the center, which will provide more classroom space on the Glen Ellyn campus. The college hoped to use the $20 million from the state to expand the size of the proposed building - but the project was never contingent on receiving the grant.

Gov. Pat Quinn's office announced it would withhold the funding after a watchdog group, For the Good of Illinois, released an email COD President Robert Breuder wrote to trustees concerning his efforts to obtain long-promised money from the state.

Breuder has said COD officials have been aware of the need for more classroom space for at least a year.