SWIC spending $62M on capital projects, but withholds key details

The Southwestern Illinois College Board of Trustees has approved issuing $62 million in general obligation bonds to fund improvements and expansions at the system’s campuses, including a significant upgrade to its police academy.

However, specific details about the scope of the project and its financing remain unclear despite repeated requests for additional information.

The board gave final approval for the bond issuance to be funded by property taxes at its Aug. 20 meeting. Robert Tebbe, SWIC’s chief enrollment development and institutional planning officer, said the debt will be financed with little to no change in the Community College District 522 property tax rate.

The plans include construction of a multiuse building for the SWIC Police Academy, which is housed at the former Main Street campus of Belleville West High School and Lindenwood University. Tebbe said the project also includes a special needs school and vocational school at the Red Bud campus, and meeting records show the project will also include systemwide renovations to existing buildings and other unspecified capital improvements.

“With state and federal funding diminishing, the board and administration have made the strategic decision to issue municipal bonds to fund a comprehensive campuswide revitalization,” Tebbe said in a statement emailed to the Belleville News-Democrat. “This initiative will enable the college to become a center of opportunity, foster a stronger workforce for the region, stimulate economic growth and solidify its role as a cornerstone of local communities.”

Board documents and Tebbe’s statement provided a broad overview of the project, but omitted key details such as construction timelines and specific funding allocations. Key aspects — including how the $62 million figure was determined and the bond repayment timeline — remain unclear.

The News-Democrat requested an interview with SWIC President Nick Mance, who referred all questions to Tebbe. Tebbe asked that questions be submitted in writing; his three-page response left several questions unanswered.

“Please directly reach out to (Assistant Director of Marketing) Kristi Ham for any further communication needed, and she can coordinate with myself,” Tebbe said in an email. “... But in the short term, I consider this closed from a public information standpoint.”

The News-Democrat has filed a records request under the Freedom of Information Act seeking documents related to the project, including correspondence and cost estimates, on Monday. SWIC has five business days under Illinois law to respond.

Here’s what’s known — and unknown — about SWIC’s $62 million plan:

Police Academy expansion

SWIC plans to build a state-of-the-art indoor shooting range south of the Southwestern Illinois Workforce and Justice Development Center, located at the former Lindenwood University and Belleville West High School site. The new facility will include virtual reality simulators for officer training and a “tactical village” for role-play scenarios focused on de-escalation and community-oriented policing, according to Tebbe’s statement.

Tebbe’s statement also says the facility would be housed in an “abandoned building in West Belleville.” He later told the BND the building was already acquired by SWIC. However, the location provided — 2590 South Belt West — corresponds to former Belleville West baseball fields and an athletic complex, which do not include a building.

It is unclear if SWIC has acquired neighboring property with an abandoned building or if a new structure will be built.

Red Bud campus improvements

A portion of the bond proceeds will go toward development of a special needs and vocational training center at the Red Bud campus, to be developed with K-12 schools in Monroe and Randolph counties and local businesses.

“This facility will house a modern special education school and a vocational training center, serving students in the southern region of the district,” Tebbe said in the statement. “This will empower residents, strengthen the local workforce and expand economic opportunities.”

Partnership specifics have not been determined. When asked whether K-12 students would attend the special needs school or if it would be part of Red Bud School District 132, Ham replied by email, “We are not sure at this time.”

In June, SWIC broke ground at the Red Bud campus on a new 7,800-square-foot career technology building, which is being funded by $18.4 million bond sale the board approved in December 2023. Tebbe confirmed Wednesday that the vocational school building is a separate project.

The News-Democrat requested a phone interview to clarify plans for the Red Bud campus and other specific improvements at SWIC’s Granite City, Fairview Heights and Belleville locations, but was denied.

Bond issuance process

SWIC moved forward with the general obligation bond sale without direct voter approval, which is allowed under the Illinois’ Bond Issue Notification Act.

As required by state law, the college held at least one public hearing, July 16, the statement says. According to Illinois statute, opposition could force the issue to be put before voters, but that deadline has passed. This process is known as a backdoor referendum.

“The bond repayment was structured to prevent the tax levy rate from increasing, which resulted in a longer repayment period,” Tebbe said. “Whether additional bonds can be issued at the same tax levy rate will depend on the equalized assessed valuation (EAV) and the tax assessors.”

This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 5:30 AM.