University News

Area Legislators Participate in "Western 101"

February 3, 2017

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- On Monday, Jan. 30, area legislators came together at Western Illinois University's Macomb campus for "Western 101," a WIU-sponsored event designed to share information with state representatives and senators.

Organized by WIU President Jack Thomas and Western's Director of Government Relations Jeanette Malafa, the inaugural event brought regional legislators from the House and Senate to Western for budget- and academic program-related updates, general University information and the University's $473 million economic impact on the 16-county region.

"We appreciate the time our legislators took out of their busy schedules to attend 'Western 101' to learn more about our University and how Western impacts the legislators' districts," Thomas said. "Some of the legislators were recently elected, so this was a tremendous opportunity to become acquainted and to allow us to promote their district's public university."

Participants included State Senators Neil Anderson (R, Andalusia) and Jil Tracy (R, Quincy) and State Representatives Randy Frese (R, Camp Point), Michael W. Halpin (D, Rock Island), Norine Hammond (R, Macomb), Tony M. McCombie (R, Savanna) and Daniel M. Swanson (R, Alpha).

"'Western 101' was an excellent event that I was fortunate enough to join along with my colleagues from the Illinois House and Senate who represent Western Illinois University for the Macomb and the Quad Cities campuses. President Thomas and others gave detailed and comprehensive insight regarding the impact Western Illinois University has on our regional economy and the challenges the lack of a state budget presents to our students, faculty and our communities," said Rep. Hammond. "For me, knowing the information presented at the 'Western 101' event is of paramount importance to my job as a representative and only makes me work harder to achieve full funding for WIU."

Monday's event concluded with a "deferred maintenance tour" that allowed senators and representatives to see first-hand the University's infrastructure and areas in need of repair.

"Western Illinois University continues to be an important partner for our region and our state," Rep. Halpin said. "I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in crafting legislation that responsibly invests in our students and our higher education system."

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing