Chambana Sun

The Illinois Audit Commission has approved a resolution initiated by State Senator Chapin Rose, urging a comprehensive audit of the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI). This decision follows reports of the University of Illinois losing over $30 million on a project in Chicago’s South Loop. The project, under the leadership of University President Tim Killeen, was meant to create a $285 million tech and research hub. However, it never came to fruition, leading to significant losses for state taxpayers.

Senator Rose, co-chair of the Legislative Audit Commission, has filed LAC Resolution #168. It directs the Illinois Auditor General to examine how these funds were expended without the project breaking ground. President Killeen confirmed the financial loss reporting as accurate during a recent budget appropriation hearing. This admission underscores the necessity for a detailed and transparent audit process.

Senator Rose expressed frustration over the repeated changes in the project’s mission. “President Tim Killeen has changed the mission of this project so many times it’s hard to keep track,” he stated. “The taxpayers deserve to know... if DPI is to remain on the books, it should be led exclusively by the Urbana-Champaign campus.”

The initiative, which began seven years ago, has seen its vision altered multiple times, experiencing escalating costs and delays. Ultimately, the university decided not to proceed with the site, leaving taxpayers responsible for the losses, which could total nearly $40 million.

Senator Rose emphasized the need for new leadership at DPI, suggesting the involvement of the Urbana campus. “It’s time to put a fresh set of eyes on DPI," he concluded. The resolution calls for the Auditor General’s assessment, while urging the University of Illinois to shift DPI’s leadership away from the president’s office in the future.