It's the first week of summer break for students at the University of Illinois, but the for the U of I system's new president, it's the first week on the job.
First on the new leader's agenda: lobbying Springfield for state funding in the face of the governor’s proposed budget cuts.
Killeen was selected as the U of I's 20th president back in November, a couple weeks after Bruce Rauner was elected governor.
A few months after that, Governor Rauner proposed a 31% cut to public universities in his budget plan, but there's been little movement since then.
Killeen joked with an audience in Urbana that he feels equipped to handle the state's financial impact on the University.
"For one, I am a huge optimist. And I understand that Cub fans are also optimists in Illinois."
Killeen says he's committed to fostering a relationship with the governor and the legislature, and says he'll push for state support for the U of I, beginning now.
"Decisions literally over the next few weeks, perhaps the next two weeks, will influence the relationship of the University of Illinois with the state of Illinois."
Legislative action could affect U of I's tuition rates, research opportunities and the state's economic growth.
