DeKALB | Funding for the Stevens Hall renovation plan was abruptly halted Wednesday when an Illinois appellate court ruled the bill unconstitutional.

NIU President John Peters announced the news at a University Council meeting Wednesday afternoon. Projects that are to be affected by this court ruling include $22.5 million to remodel Stevens Hall and $2 million to plan a new technology emporium.

The bill also allocated funds to several projects on campus including the Cole Hall project.

“Cole Hall funding remains safe and intact,” Peters said. “The university has already received the funds for the renovation.”

On Jan. 27, 2010, Gov. Pat Quinn came to NIU to announce that the state funds to renovate Cole Hall have been released. The plans to renovate Cole Hall and the Stevens Building into the Cole-Stevens complex were announced then as well.

Other projects that are not affected by Wednesday’s ruling include the remodeling of Gilbert Hall, repairs at the Holmes Student Center, completion of the Grant Towers renovation, the creation of a new outdoor sports complex and parking lot and road repairs.

In addition, plans for the new dorm to be built on the west side campus will not be affected, as it is funded through a private-public partnership. Gov. Pat Quinn’s office stated in a press release that the administration plans to appeal the appellate court’s decision and seek an immediate stay from the Illinois Supreme Court. NIU officials must wait for information from other state authorities to know what is going on in the judicial process.

“We eagerly await further information from the General Assembly leaders and from the attorney general, Lisa Madigan, and from the governor’s office as to whether this bill is going to be appealed,” Peters said.

Robyn Ziegler, press secretary for the attorney general’s office, could only offer a limited comment on what Madigan plans to do.

“We’re going to file a motion for a stay, and we will pursue an appeal,” Ziegler said. “Both of those will be in the Illinois Supreme Court.”

According to the Chicago Tribune, the bill was originally created in a bipartisan effort to get construction workers back to work on public projects. The bill was ruled unconstitutional due to an Illinois law which states a bill can not address more than a single project. The bill contained legislation which made video gambling legal and increased taxes on candies, certain beauty products and liquor varied by percent alcohol content.

Wirtz Beverage Illinois, owned by Rocky Wirtz, who also owns the Chicago Blackhawks, filed the lawsuit challenging the larger tax hikes for wine and hard liquor than beer.