SB 2592 — Summary (Introduced version)
Important note: The bill title provided ("School districts; alter boundaries between two districts impacted by the John C. Stennis Space Center buffer zone") does not match the text and version content supplied. The enacted text of SB 2592 (introduced by Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.) is an appropriation bill for Southern Illinois University (SIU). This summary covers the SIU appropriation bill text as provided.
Purpose and intent
SB 2592 would appropriate state and dedicated funds to the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University to support SIU’s ordinary and contingent operational expenses and several targeted programs for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 (fiscal year ending June 30, 2026). The bill specifies funding for campus programs, research centers, scholarship awards, and community health and engagement initiatives.
Key provisions and dollar amounts
The synopsis lists total appropriations of $233,052,400 (General Funds $231,786,400; Other State Funds $1,266,000; Federal Funds $0). Specific line items in the bill include:
- $226,026,400 — From the Education Assistance Fund to SIU for operational expenses (FY2026).
- $62,800 — From the General Revenue Fund for costs associated with the Daily Egyptian newspaper.
- $1,000,000 — From the General Revenue Fund for the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center and ethanol research grants.
- $1,130,600 — From the Education Assistance Fund for costs associated with the Simmons Cancer Institute.
- $16,000 — From the State College and University Trust Fund for scholarship grant awards.
- $1,250,000 — From the General Professions Dedicated Fund for development/support/administration of pharmacy practice education/training at the Edwardsville campus.
- $3,000,000 — From the General Revenue Fund for programming at the formerly Lindenwood Campus in Belleville.
- $266,600 — From the General Revenue Fund for the SIU Office of Community Engagement.
- $300,000 — From the General Revenue Fund for the SIU Institute of Rural Health.
Effective date: July 1, 2025 (Section 99).
Who would be affected
- Primary recipient: Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University and SIU campuses/programs.
- Specific programs and centers named above (Daily Egyptian, Simmons Cancer Institute, National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center, Edwardsville pharmacy education, Belleville programming, Office of Community Engagement, Institute of Rural Health).
- State budget/funds identified (General Revenue Fund, Education Assistance Fund, General Professions Dedicated Fund, State College and University Trust Fund).
Procedural status and timeline
- Introduced / filed: Feb 25, 2025 (by Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.).
- Read first time: Apr 3, 2025.
- Referred to Assignments, Education, and Local Government (per record).
- Status: Died In Committee (record lists "Died In Committee" with an entry date 2025-02-04). Note: the legislative action dates in the record contain inconsistencies (e.g., a "Died In Committee" entry predating introduction); users should consult the official General Assembly record for clarified procedural history.
- Companion bill: HB 5127.
Potential impact
If enacted, the bill would provide operating support and targeted program funding to SIU for FY2026, sustaining university operations, specific research and health initiatives, a campus newspaper, scholarship awards, pharmacy education expansion, and community engagement/rural health programming. Because the bill died in committee (per the provided record), these appropriations did not proceed as introduced.
