CLC celebrates start of science and engineering building

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the cost of the project. The project costs $28.3 million.

Local and state-level leaders gathered Monday to celebrate the start of construction on College of Lake County's long-awaited science and engineering building.

CLC President Jerry Weber, board Chairman Amanda Howland, Democratic state Sen. Terry Link and others attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the three-story, 41,900-square-foot facility that will house programs in chemistry, photonics and mechatronics.

Officials said a $28.3 million budget has been set for the work. Former Gov. Pat Quinn announced in December 2011 he approved a $17.5 million state grant that will go toward the total projected cost.

In addition to the new structure, there will be a renovation of existing C Wing spaces that'll include two new anatomy and physiology laboratories, separate cadaver labs, new microbiology labs and upgraded biology labs. Officials said the construction is projected to go through July 2016.

Howland was among the dignitaries to speak to about 100 guests at the ceremony.

"This is a big day for us here at our Grayslake campus," she said. "This event has taken many, many years of hard work and planning."

Weber thanked Link for bringing CLC officials into Senate President John Cullerton's office to discuss the school's need for the science and engineering building.

"It's real easy to support a facility like the College of Lake County," Link said. "In my mind, it's the finest community college in the state of Illinois, by far."

Officials had expressed some concern about the state funding for the project, which didn't start as anticipated in 2014. The concern at CLC surfaced after Gov. Bruce Rauner announced early this year that state-funded capital projects were being put on hold.

However, college officials and Lake County state legislators quickly worked to convince the Rauner administration the science building was worthy of the grant. CLC officials said the main selling point was project planning was too far along to disconnect the $17.5 million grant that Quinn had approved.

CLC also has been busy with construction plans for its Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan and Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills.

Last week, CLC officials gathered for a ceremonial groundbreaking to herald a $1.7 million expansion to create a new chemistry lab at Southlake. Plans for constructing a new building and renovations at the Lakeshore Campus are moving through the Waukegan City Council approval process.

• Daily Herald photographer Gilbert R. Boucher II contributed to this report.