Now is not the time to be swept away by the joy of the impending $500,000 for NIU’s educational programs in Rockford.

The Illinois Board of Higher Education meets this week in Decatur at Milikin University and is expected to give their stamp of approval to the money needed for the Rockford extension. Board of Regents Chancellor Roderick Groves is calling the Rockford expedition a “facility in which to offer off-campus programming” and not a branch campus.

Many believe the IBHE recommendation will tip the scales and force Gov. James Thompson to finally release the money. Thompson promised in March to release the funds this Spring after his veto was overridden by the legislature last year.

The IBHE’s decision is the last public issue Thompson can hide behind as reasoning for not releasing the money. But nobody ever said reason and logic are always players in politics.

So officials at NIU, the Regents and Rockford cannot sit and wait. They must continue to press for the money.

Everyone can benefit from the classes in Rockford, no matter what they are called. NIU can help aspiring students. The classes can help Rockford’s economy. The list goes on and outway any drawbacks, including NIU overextending itself.

As Thompson’s spring slowly creeps away into fall, so do the chances of grabbing the purse. It doesn’t matter what Thompson’s reasons are for dragging his feet. The only thing that matters is securing the funds.

Like any other year.