The last time Eastern was part of a major capital bill was 2003.

The Illinois General Assembly approved funds for the construction of the Doudna Fine Arts Center during that year.

But then the state had some budgeting problems that affected the funding for the construction of Doudna.

“The state had its economic downturn, and they froze all capital projects that were not already started,” said Jeff Cooley, vice president for business affairs.

Prior to the freeze on capital projects, students and faculty were moved out of the old Doudna Fine Arts Center for an asbestos cleaning in anticipation of the construction, Cooley said.

He said students and faculty were moved to Art Park West, the Village Theater and McAfee Gymnasium.

The state then froze the money for the construction of Doudna, and the building remained vacant.

“They ripped all of the ceiling fixtures down and took all the pipes out. We couldn’t heat or cool it,” Cooley said. “We could not go back in and occupy (the building).”

The state re-released the money in 2004, and construction on Doudna began.

Now after four years, Eastern is a part of another major capital bill that is going through the House of Representatives in Springfield.

The bill, which the Senate approved, would give Eastern $25 million for a new steam plant.

But Eastern is going to have to be involved in more major capital bills to start other important projects, Cooley said.

The plan to move Textbook Rental north of Carman Hall will need capital money, Cooley said.

He added the Honors College and the Nursing Program would be relocated in the old Textbook Rental facility so they are closer to campus. That move would also need capital money, Cooley said.

He added renovations to Old Main would need capital money. Those renovations include replacing the north entrance doors, replacing windows and upgrading the electrical service.

Ventilation upgrades to the Life Science Building will need capital money also, he said. That project would improve the air quality and circulation within the building.

Cooley added there has been a struggle at the state level to find funding for capital projects.

“Funding drives a lot of what we do and, without those dollars, it has been next to impossible to move forward on some of those needful projects,” he said.

State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said capital bills normally come every five to eight years.

“Typically, what you do is raise a large amount of money and spend it over a period of three to five years,” Rose said.

He added capital bills require billions of dollars.

“You have to have a thoughtful, methodical plan to spend it, and you start with things that are in most need of repair,” Rose said.

He added Eastern has received capital money for Doudna’s construction from 2004 to the present; however, Eastern has not been affected by any other major capital bill since 2003, Rose said.

He added money for capital renewal projects is released every year. Capital renewal projects are minor, less expensive capital projects.

Rose said Eastern listed the steam plant as their top priority for the current capital bill going through the House.

He added Eastern’s second priority is a new Life Science building.

Capital bills also include other public works projects throughout Illinois.

Rose said prioritizing is a major factor when brainstorming and creating capital bills.

“It becomes a balancing act, and it really becomes a function of how big of a plan you’re doing,” he said.

Cooley said Eastern would continue to work with legislators as they negotiate the budget and provide answers to their questions to make sure they understand the criticality of Eastern’s infrastructure.

“I know they are wrestling with a lot of issues, and I know the capital process is one of them,” Cooley said.