SWIC in southern Illinois invests in major campus upgrades

What's happening at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville?

SWIC is moving ahead with $62 million in capital projects. These aim to improve and expand its campuses, yet significant details remain undisclosed. Plans involve constructing a multi-use building for the police academy.

SIUE announced a balanced budget after a previous deficit. Chancellor James Minor shared enrollment growth and program cuts that contributed to this financial achievement.

In other college news, Forbes ranked two Illinois universities among the nation's top colleges. The University of Chicago and Northwestern University find spots in this prestigious list, recognized for their academic excellence and alumni success.

NO. 1: 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. | Published September 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Madison Lammert

Chancellor James Minor on Thursday, April 6, 2023, during a press conference about higher education funding at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville. By Brian Munoz

NO. 2: INCREASED SIUE ENROLLMENT, PROGRAM CUTS LED TO BALANCED BUDGET, CHANCELLOR SAYS

After a $10.3 million deficit last year at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the SIU Board of Trustees voted on Thursday morning to unanimously approve a balanced budget for the 2026 fiscal year. | Published September 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Will Bauer

More than 16,000 semifinalists were announced Wednesday for the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program, including six from the Central Georgia area. By Getty Images | Royalty Free

NO. 3: THESE UNIVERSITIES IN ILLINOIS, ST. LOUIS ARE AMONG TOP 25 IN US, FORBES REPORTS

Two colleges in Illinois and one in St. | Published October 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Meredith Howard

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.