U of I Board of Trustees weighing contract extension for system president

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The President of the University of Illinois System could be getting an extension to his contract.

The Board of Trustees has proposed a three-year extension for Timothy L. Killeen. The proposal will go to a vote during the Board’s meeting in March and if approved, it will take effect July 1.

“The proposed extension reaffirms the board’s confidence in President Killeen’s continued leadership of the university system and its universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield,” Board Chairman Don Edwards said.

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Killeen took office in 2015 and received a new contract in 2020. His tenure, officials said, has seen record enrollment for 10 straight years, fundraising campaigns have raised $3.6 billion, $500 million more than the original goal, and funding for research has grown to over $1 billion.

In addition, Killeen’s tenure saw the creation of the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) and the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) to fuel economic and workforce development across the state. In 2020, the university system created a saliva-based COVID-19 test and testing network — SHIELD Illinois and Sheid T3 — that helped the State of Illinois navigate the COVID pandemic in a way that saved lives.

“The U of I System under Tim Killeen’s leadership has navigated a period of extraordinary challenge and emerged stronger and more committed to serving our students and the state of Illinois,” Edwards said. “His unwavering dedication to the system’s mission and core values is transforming the landscape of higher education within our community and state and has set a benchmark of excellence with inclusive growth for others to follow.”

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Killeen said he is looking forward to continued collaboration with the Board of Trustees.

“The board’s leadership and results-driven focus have been instrumental in bringing their vision for the future to fruition, and I am immensely grateful for their efforts,” Killeen said. “Our students deserve transformative experiences, and it is our responsibility to address the fundamental needs of our state. I am tremendously excited to build upon the momentum we have already established, with full confidence that we will seize opportunities to support and propel our great state forward, growing our impact here and around the world.”

Killeen currently makes $917,000 as President of the University of Illinois System. His salary will not change if his contract extension is approved.

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