NIU officials must convince outgoing Gov. James Thompson today that a Rockford graduate studies center should be located on the city’s eastern outskirts or lose grip on state money earmarked for start-up funds.

The site, located on East State Street by the Clock Tower Inn and chosen from a pool of 16, was announced last month, much to the chagrin of Rockford political and business leaders and Thompson, who hoped the campus would be located in downtown Rockford.

Tom Montiegel, NIU vice president for development and university relations, said schjool officials have sent two letters to the governor to state their case for the money. The $500,000 was supposed to be released when a site was chosen.

“We pointed out that we followed a very detailed process,” Montiegel said, adding school leaders feel they made the best decision. “If he (Thompson) is going to make a political thing out of this, that’s his choice.”

Thompson spokesman Beth Bosch said the governor is open to both locations but prefers the downtown site because he has poured money into the area and the campus would sit among other state buildings.

NIU President John LaTourette called Thompson Friday to sell the East State Street location, but said Thompson wanted more time to think. At press time, La Tourette had not heard from the governor but said he hopes to have word before 11 a.m. today, when Thompson leaves office.

La Tourette termed the conversation “congenial” and said he thinks Thompson is “receptive” and “better understands NIU’s ability to deliver education” in the Rockford area. “He (Thompson) is interested in this concept and is willing to listen,” he said. “We’re looking for a way to make this work.”

To La Tourette, the lengthy two-year process is complete. He said the East State Street site protects NIU’s academic and financial integrity. Also, the developer is donating 10 acres of land – about $1 million worth – and will bring the needed utilities and landscape the retention ponds.

However, La Tourette said the flap caused by the East State site has been frustrating. “It’s like a stare-down,” he said. “No one’s been willing to blink.”

Although some Rockford aldermen charged NIU with not considering downtown as a possibility, La Tourette said the precess was conducted with the city in mind. One site, which the president said is better than East State, was ruled out because it was outside the city and couldn’t be annexed. The other top choice was dropped because it too was outsite city limits, he said.

If Thompson withholds the money, it remains in reach until June, when the Legislature can reintroduce it for another year. Gov.-elect Jim Edgar, who announced last month he will need to trim an already hurting budget, has not committed himself to the project.

However, La Tourette isn’t worried because the Rockford project is a capital rather than operating budget. Even if the economic picture changes, capital projects like college campuses are viewed in the long run because they can be used for many years.

Both Rockford’s downtown and eastern fringes represent areas of growth for Illinois’ second largest city. If NIU is successful in its bid, it will be a part of Rockford’s eastward push toward Chicago, which already is nudging next-door Boone County.