HJ0084 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0084 LRB096 16694 MJR 31979 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State College Housing Construction Act limits the authority of the governing boards of State colleges and universities to construct or operate, directly or indirectly through any other public or private organization, any new housing project without the prior approval and determination of the General Assembly that the specific project is in the public interest; and

WHEREAS, Through legislation, the General Assembly has authorized the Town of Normal and encouraged local improvements, revitalization efforts, and a public-private partnership in economic development through the creation of a tax increment financing district, which is located in proximity to the Illinois State University campus; and

WHEREAS, Illinois State University wishes to fulfill some of its needs for additional student housing near campus by encouraging private investment and cooperatively expand its role in economic development and its efforts to work with appropriate State and private agencies, local community leaders, and others interested in economic development and redevelopment; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University will be selecting a developer or developers through a competitive process to develop new, private apartment or suite-style student housing near campus to replace older, on-campus residence halls that will not comply with new State fire statutes and codes after 2012 without extensive remodeling that is cost-prohibitive to the University; and

WHEREAS, These new facilities would serve Illinois State University and its students, improve the community and region, promote local economic development and redevelopment, and create needed additional construction jobs; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we approve and determine to be in the public interest, pursuant to the State College Housing Construction Act, projects on land or lands owned by the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University or privately owned land or lands, or both, and leased for the purpose of construction, maintenance, and operation of a residential housing complex for students of Illinois State University by a private firm or firms, partnership or partnerships, or corporation or corporations selected through a competitive process, under the terms and conditions as the Board of Trustees may deem advisable; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University.