Hoffman Tours SIUE Belleville Campus, Highlights Revitalization Efforts

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, visited Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s (SIUE) Southwestern Illinois Justice and Workforce Development Campus last week to see firsthand the results of state efforts to revitalize a vacant college complex into a modern campus ready to meet the job demands of today and tomorrow.

Hoffman, along with state Sen. Christopher Belt, D-Swansea, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, and former state Rep. LaToya Greenwood helped to secure over $40 million in state resources to support the transformation of the former Lindenwood-Belleville campus, including funding to implement criminal justice training programs. Last Monday he joined area lawmakers in a visit to observe the location’s new forensic labs and equipment, and to meet with students and educators.

“Thanks to the hard work of SIUE, Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), the City of Belleville, Illinois State Police and many others who stepped up, we’ve been able to turn a vacated property into a community centerpiece for years to come,” Hoffman said. “This project represents years of investment and collaboration, and it’s going to support career opportunities for local residents, strengthen the local economy and pay significant dividends for our region.”

Additional information about the campus and its offered programs can be viewed at https://www.siue.edu/belleville/. For more information, please contact RepJayHoffman@gmail.com.