Despite opposition from some Rockford citizens in the downtown area, Rockford Mayor Charles Box restated his support for NIU’s proposed extension on Rockford’s eastern edge while waiting for construction funds to be released.

“I’m in full support of the NIU extension in the city of Rockford—I’m in full support of dialogue and making decisions and I’m behind (NIU President John La Tourette) now,” Box said.

He said he acknowledged this support the day Gov. Jim Edgar released $500,000 in planning funds for the project.

“My only frustration was the process. If they (NIU) weren’t considering a downtown site, they should have said so earlier,” he said.

Edgar should release the remaining funds for the project as soon as possible so construction on the project can begin, Box said.

The remaining amount, over $5 million, should be figured into future Illinois budgets, Box said.

“If he (Edgar) is prioritizing, this should be a priority” because Rockford is the state’s second largest city, Box said.

The Build On Rockford Committee, a citizens’ group pushing for redevelopment in the downtown area, wants the NIU campus to be located in an old police station downtown. Second Ward Ald. Patrick Curran favors the idea because it fits with his plans to move City Hall operations to an old post office location.

“I would’ve loved their support six weeks earlier, but the decision has been made,” Box said.

Box said he wants the NIU extension because it’s needed for the Rockford economy.

“We need it for people who are job-bound and home-bound” and need to further their education, he said.

Five hundred thousand dollars in funds for planning were released by former Gov. James Thompson shortly before Edgar took office.

The Rockford campus is being developed on 10 acres of donated land and should not cost more than $6 million.

La Tourette and Capital Development Board officials are unsure how the state will handle the situation after Edgar froze all Illinois construction projects for review last month.