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SIU trustees hear $2 billion statewide economic‑impact study and plan legislative outreach
Summary
Trustees reviewed a systemwide economic impact study estimating roughly $2 billion in annual economic activity and nearly 17,000 supported jobs across Illinois, and discussed distributing the results to legislators and the public.
Trustees of the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees on Friday received a systemwide economic impact study estimating roughly $2,000,000,000 in annual economic activity tied to SIU operations, student spending and visitor impacts across Illinois.
The presentation, led by university researchers and President Dan Mahoney, said the study — compiled from campus submissions and standard economic‑impact models — counts direct spending, indirect supply‑chain effects and induced impacts, and reports nearly 17,000 community jobs supported by SIU‑related activity. Presenters said student spending alone contributed more than $250,000,000 to regional economies in the study year.
Why it matters: Trustees and campus leaders said the study provides a measurable return on public investment that can be used in budget testimony and outreach to state legislators. President Mahoney said the system will publish both a consolidated report and campus‑level breakdowns so local leaders can use the data in meetings with lawmakers.
Details from the report: Presenters described conservative modeling assumptions and a multiplier that produced the systemwide $2 billion figure within Illinois. The report also included student return‑on‑investment estimates (presenters gave a range of student lifetime earnings benefits and a 1.81 taxpayer return). The team said the study intentionally omitted some nonquantifiable public‑service benefits — such as free community events and service programming — so the $2 billion figure is a lower‑bound estimate.
Trustee reaction and next steps: Trustees asked how the university will distribute the findings; Mahoney said the administration plans press releases, targeted briefings for legislators and materials that break the impact down by campus and region. The board did not vote on the study; presenters said campus‑level reports are being finalized and will be released to stakeholders.
What comes next: The administration expects to use the study in legislative testimony and civic outreach to underscore the university’s role in regional economies. No related funding requests were voted on during the meeting.
