Knox College has received a $931,932 facilities grant from the State of Illinois. Governor Pat Quinn announced on July 29 a total of $90 million in grants to private colleges and universities statewide, as part of the Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program.

"These investments will help schools stay competitive and continue to produce well-prepared graduates," Governor Quinn said in a news conference at Augustana College in Rock Island. At the news conference, the governor also announced that Augustana will receive $1,329,319, and Monmouth College will receive $929,966. "We are pleased to help these institutions address their needs while creating jobs and moving our economy forward," Governor Quinn said.

"Knox College is dedicated to providing our students with a 21st-century educational experience on a historic college campus," said Knox College President Teresa Amott. "Thanks to the support of the State of Illinois, Knox will continue ongoing improvements to campus buildings, especially Old Main, Seymour Union, and Ford Center for the Fine Arts."

Governor Quinn noted that he had been on the Knox campus less than a week before the grant announcement. "President [Barack Obama] was at Knox College [and] I was with him. It was an inspiring day... Old Main at Knox was the site of a Lincoln-Douglas debate [in 1858] and that is going to be improved by our investment in Knox College.

"We're investing in the improvement of college buildings... We've got to make sure [college facilities] are technologically adapted for the 21st century," Governor Quinn said.

Knox President Teresa Amott cited Knox's role in regional economic development. "We are proud to help drive economic growth in West-Central Illinois. More than 80% of Knox's construction, renovation, and other capital projects have been completed by area contractors and workers."

News conference with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announcing state facilities grants to Knox and other private colleges, July 29 in Rock Island, Illinois.