Daily Herald: July 2 Front Page Article- COD President Defends Push for State Grant Money

By Robert Sanchez
July 2, 2014

After the College of DuPage waited a dozen years for a promised state construction grant that never materialized, President Robert Breuder finally saw an opportunity to get the $20 million.

“When I introduce Governor Quinn at commencement, I want to help our cause (getting the $20 million released sooner rather than later) by thanking him for his commitment in front of 3,500 people,” Breuder wrote. “There are many voters in our district. Please keep November 4 in mind.”

There was just one problem: COD no longer had a construction project to link to the money.

Breuder’s solution to that problem is coming under fire from an Elmhurst-based government watchdog group.

For the Good of Illinois is accusing him of coming up with an “unplanned” classroom building proposal to help secure the $20 million.

In his email, Breuder told board members: “I needed to identify a project that would help release our state funding. My idea: a Teaching and Learning Center.”

“Dr. Breuder pressured the trustees to fast-track a $50 million building with a political strategy to benefit Governor Quinn,” said Adam Andrzejewski, chairman of the group.

Read the rest of the article at the Daily Herald: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140702/news/140709731/