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Gap, New York & Co. to leave University Mall CHRISTINA SPAKOUSKY Daily Egyptian T wo major retail stores will be leaving the University Mall within the next month. The Gap Outlet, a clothing store, will close Feb. 19, joining New York & Company in leaving Carbondale, said Debra Tindall, general manager of the University Mall. Tindall said she tried to convince the Gap
Outlet to stay, but was told it had to downsize in order to keep its corporations profitable. “(The store closings) are not a total reflection of University Mall,� Tindall said. “Our country is in a recessionary mode.� Gap spokeswoman Catherine Rhoades said the store constantly evaluates its locations and the decision was a difficult one. “We hope our customers will continue to shop with us at nearby stores or online,�
Rhoades said. Tindall said she is trying to fill several spaces in the mall but does not know if she will finalize anything this year. Chili’s restaurant showed interest but settled on a location on the other side of Route 13 in University Place, she said. Please see MALL | 2
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Quinn, Hynes face off in Studio A Democratic candidates make rounds before governor primary NICK JOHNSON Daily Egyptian
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and his Democratic primary opponent, Comptroller Dan Hynes, faced off in an hour-long debate in the WSIUTV studios during the second gubernatorial debate in three days between the candidates Thursday. The candidates’ trip to Carbondale came two days after a heated debate in Chicago as poll numbers continue to tighten. Numbers from the Hynes camp Wednesday reported Quinn’s lead as seven points, down from the 26 reported by the Chicago Tribune in December. Multiple media outlets crowded Studio B as the two candidates debated next door in Studio A, and security personnel roamed the Communication Building’s hallways throughout the event. Hynes blasted Quinn on his alleged mishandling of the state’s budget, citing early and often the state debt’s inflation from $9 billion to $13 billion under Quinn’s leadership. “We need someone who can’t be tied to Rod Blagojevich,� Hynes said during the debate, which was moderated by Jak Tichenor of WSIU-TV and featured questioning by David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and Jennifer Fuller of WSIU Public Radio. But Quinn said he’s made more budget cuts than any governor in state history and that the comptroller presented him with a budget plan that was unbalanced by about $4.5 billion. Hynes said though SIUC will be receiving financial help soon, the governor lacks a plan to help SIUC and other state universities achieve financial stability. “It’s not a real solution. We need a comprehensive plan to address
JULIA RENDLEMAN | DAILY EGYPTIAN
Gov. Pat Quinn prepares for a live gubernatorial debate against Comptroller Daniel Hynes Thursday in WSIU-TV’s Studio A. Quinn touted his support for SIUC by citing his role in the restoration of the MAP grants this year and securing funds for the new transportation and aviation center, which is stated to be built at the Southern illinois Airport. the budget crisis,� he said. Quinn cited victories such as the restoration of the MAP grants earlier this year and SIUC’s new transportation and aviation center as benchmarks for his support of state universities and higher education. “This university and all universities are the key to economic growth,� Quinn said. “Jobs follow brainpower.� Quinn also said he’s the only candidate in the gubernatorial race who’s proposed a specific plan to get revenue immediately, which includes using the income tax and
reforming the tax base structure. Quinn said he believes the key to overcoming the state’s current crisis is to be positive and have faith in its people and that his opponent has resorted more to politics and name-calling than trying to solve problems actively. “(Hynes) has ran a pretty negative campaign based on fear and division,� Quinn said. But Hynes said it’s nothing personal. “Our campaign has been based on facts,� Hynes said. “It’s not about
(the governor) personally, it’s about the fact that our state is in a crisis ... that is growing worse.� Hynes — who has ties to SIUC via his wife, who attended medical school at the university — cited his record of fiscal responsibility and ethical reform as comptroller, including an attempt to change out Quinn’s budget team, as qualifications for the nomination. SIUC President Glenn Poshard said hosting the debate is a tremendous credit to the university and believes both candidates have the
ability to help the university. “I don’t doubt that either one of them will step up for higher education,� he said. Tichenor said this is one of many debates WSIU hopes to host in the future. “We’re hoping in the fall to have another gubernatorial debate and a U.S. Senate debate as well,� Tichenor said.
Nick Johnson can be reached at nickj39@siu.edu or 536-3311 ext. 274.
University requests authority to borrow from banks JEFF ENGELHARDT Daily Egyptian
Bill would give BOT power to establish credit line
SIU has sought out the authority from state lawmakers to borrow from financial institutions such as banks and loan associations in light of delayed state payments, university spokesman Dave Gross said. The university moved quickly to attach an amendment to Senate Bill 642 on Jan. 13 that would give the Board of Trustees the power to borrow money in anticipation of
receiving payments from the state, Gross said. SIU President Glenn Poshard said tuition payments secured payroll for January and February, but the university will need to receive $42 million from the state to make March payroll. Through the first six and half months of the fiscal year, SIU has received only $32 million. Gross said this is the first offi-
cial request for borrowing authority from any state university, but he would not be surprised to see other universities follow suit. “This is a financial tool we could use in, hopefully, the unlikely event we do not receive (state payments) for March payroll,� Gross said. “We’re trying to put this in place just as an insurance policy because there are costs associated with borrowing. But if
you look at the financial situation right now, it’s hard to think it will be fixed overnight.� And it is the costs associated with borrowing that could make any potential loan SIU takes a risk. According to the legislation, “any borrowing under this item shall not constitute a debt, legal or moral, of the State, and shall not be enforceable against the State.� Sen. Gary Forby, co-sponsor of
the bill, said while there is a possibility SIU could borrow money and still face slow state payments, making the financial burden even worse, it is the smart decision. “You got to keep going ‌ you’ll end up losing a little interest money on it but they’re going to get the (state) money sooner or later,â€? Forby said. “It keeps them operating and they won’t have to lay people off.â€? Please see PAYROLL | 6