WIU Board Sets $430M Capital Budget Priorities, Highlights Underfunding

The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees approved the institution’s Fiscal Year 2026 all-funds budget during its quarterly meeting Sept. 26 on the Macomb campus. The FY26 budget assumes a state appropriation of $57.4 million, as passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in June. The university’s total operating budget for FY25 stands at $189.4 million.

The Board also approved the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriated operating and capital budget recommendations. These will be submitted to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the General Assembly, and the governor. The FY27 appropriated operating budget includes a $27.6 million increase, with a capital budget recommendation of $430.5 million.

WIU is requesting $22.7 million in state funding to support its Strategic Plan, *Higher Values in Higher Education*. The funds will address equity gaps, increase college access, align programs with the IBHE’s statewide plan *A Thriving Illinois*, support scholarships and workforce development, launch new initiatives in the Quad Cities, and cover deferred maintenance.

Statewide higher education budgeting follows a two-step process. Before the fiscal year starts, the WIU Board approves a preliminary spending plan, which it did in June. The all-funds budget approved in September is based on actual Fall 2025 enrollment, while the preliminary plan was based on projections.

According to IBHE guidelines, the FY27 budget increase recommendation divides into salary and cost increases (18%) and program priorities (82%). Salary increases cover wages, Social Security contributions, and inflation-related costs like utilities and library materials.

Trustee Kirk Dillard noted during the discussion that Western has long been underfunded. “We were much better off because the state did more, but we’ve always been historically low,” he said. “Now, as you know, we’re rock bottom. We need to make the case with our legislative allies to catch up.”

Funding Challenges and Outlook

Vice President for Finance and Administration Ketra Roselieb reported that expenses have exceeded revenues again, and outstanding receivables remain a concern. “Our cash position has not improved between fiscal years 2024 and 2025,” she said. “Until we have multiple years of revenues exceeding expenses, we must closely monitor our cash.”

Roselieb added that while the university has made structural changes to reduce expenses, it now faces a funding gap due to enrollment declines. She expects WIU to take advantage of Senate Bill 1310, which allows borrowing $2 million from the WIU Foundation at low interest. A resolution to authorize this loan will be brought to the Board in December. The loan access begins Jan. 1, 2026.

Capital Development Priorities

The requested FY27 capital funds will support construction and renovations on the Macomb campus. Priorities include:

- Macomb Science Phase II renovation: $94.3 million 
- Stipes Hall renovation: $75.4 million 
- New Macomb Education Building: $133 million 
- Malpass Library renovation: $128 million 

Additionally, $34.2 million is requested for critical deferred maintenance.

WIU Director of Governmental & Public Relations Zach Messersmith said phase one of the Science Building has been appropriated but funds have not been released. “The state uses this list for future appropriations, but funding and construction are so far behind it’s worse than turning the Titanic,” he said.

Enrollment Summary

Vice President for Student Success Justin Schuch reported Fall 2025 enrollment dropped 15.7%, from 6,332 to 5,337 students. The Macomb campus enrolled 4,786 students, including online learners; Quad Cities campus had 551.

Other key stats:

- 1,527 new students started Fall 2025 
- Fall-to-fall retention: 60.3% for new freshmen, 73.5% for new transfers 
- Average incoming freshman GPA: 3.45 
- 15% of freshmen have a 4.0+ GPA; 30% have 3.5–3.999 
- Freshman class is 63.3% female, 36.7% male 
- 50.3% of freshmen come from underrepresented groups 
- Dual enrollment increased by 120 students 

Other Business

The Board approved leasing the former Western Illinois Credit Union building to the Illinois Department of Human Services for five years starting Sept. 1, 2025, at $9,693.33 per month.

They also approved a 15-month lease of two buildings on the Quad Cities campus to the Moline-Coal Valley School District for $20,000 per month.

More Information

Full budget details and meeting audio are available at wiu.edu/bot and youtube.com/user/Western-IllinoisU.

The Board will hold a retreat Oct. 17 and its next open meeting is Dec. 3 on the Macomb campus.