Legislators Talk Embry-Riddle With 23 News

Thursday, September 30, 2010 By: Kimberly Brown
 
ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- It's a bipartisan effort - via video conference to land Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, and Congressman Don Manzullo and Congressman Bill Foster discussed with Johnson what the government can do to make Rockford more attractive.
 
"It was very encouraging, Embry-Riddle is seriously looking at Rockford," Durbin said.
 
Sen. Durbin says the main point for the discussion is to find out what Embry-Riddle wants in its new location. This way they can develop a local, state, and federal package to present next month.
 
"There are incentives that can be offered by our state even though our budget in Springfield's a mess. When we talk about the future tax liabilities that might be assessed against Embry-Riddle, when we talk about incentives to bring them in for construction, there are things we can do,” Durbin said.
 
"This isn't just about money, but Rockford offers something Houston - which is apparently our main competitor - does not. Number one is this world-class international airport," Manzullo said.
 
Legislators also stress other advantages the region can offer.
 
“We have letters - I've got them in my hand here from Woodward Governor, GE Aerospace, and Hamilton Sundstrand, and we're getting more saying if Embry-Riddle comes, these companies will set up internships and will hire the graduates," Manzullo said.
 
"What they offer in terms of aeronautical engineering is really different than what's available at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb," Foster said.
 
23 News also obtained a letter from Governor Pat Quinn’s office sent to Embry-Riddle saying he and state offices will try and help the efforts. We also contacted candidate Bill Brady for a statement, his campaign has not yet responded.