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WIU Opens Second New Building in QC

Herb Trix

The Western Illinois University campus in the Quad Cities is now officially 95,000 square feet larger than it was at the start of the week.

University, local, and state leaders on Wednesday celebrated the completion of Phase 2 of the riverfront campus in Moline.

Governor Pat Quinn was on hand to help cut the ribbon for the $42 million building.  He said education is the key to improving our economy, and it's important for a strong democracy.

“We understand that democracy is not a spectator sport. It involves all of us,” said Quinn. 

“And that’s why it’s important that we invest in education from early childhood, to K to 12, to our community colleges, and definitely our four year public universities.”

Quinn credited local leaders for their years of lobbying in Springfield for WIU's new campus and expansion in Moline.

WIU President Jack Thomas said the new building is the culmination of years of hard work by WIU and business and government leaders in the Quad Cities.

“Together, we had a vision, and we had determination. Together, we made the Western Illinois University Quad Cities campus a reality,” said Thomas.

Thomas and Quinn both thanked John Deere for the donation of the land in 2003 to made the new campus possible.

Phase l opened in 2012. Construction on Phase 2 began later that year, and students and staff moved in just last week.