The Board of Trustees appointed Edward McMillan as its new chairman on Jan. 15, and he’s much different than his predecessor, Chris Kennedy. And with these differences, we hope McMillan will bring about new improvements — namely, to the University’s relationship with the state. 

McMillan is a downstater and a University alumnus, graduating with a B.S. in agriculture in 1969. Kennedy, the son of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, is a Boston-native, who attended Boston College and Northwestern University. 

Unlike Kennedy, McMillan is a Republican, and he will likely lead a Republican-leaning board. Gov. Bruce Rauner, the first Republican governor since 2003, will have the power to appoint five Republicans to four Democrats. 

Both McMillan and Kennedy have many years of experience on the board, serving as members since 2009. With their terms expiring this year, however, Rauner reappointed McMillan for another six-year term. Kennedy, who served as chair since he was appointed by former-Gov. Pat Quinn, did not seek reappointment after Rauner’s election. 

What we’re most looking forward to is McMillan’s personal and professional history with Rauner. In his Q-and-A with The Daily Illini, McMillan went into detail about this relationship, claiming that he has known Rauner on a professional level for many years.

“When I was president and CEO of Purina Mills in St. Louis there were times when we were seeking investment participation with the company and his firm Golder, Thoma, Cressey, Rauner was involved,” McMillan said. “And then, for the last 18 or 19 years, as I’ve worked in the merger and acquisition and the food and agribusiness industry there have been times when we’ve contacted their firm.” 

Their relationship has extended beyond that. McMillan served on Rauner’s exploratory committee when he first considered running for governor. After Rauner won November’s election, McMillan and Chancellor Phyllis Wise were placed on his transition team. 

This has the potential to be a very positive step in mending the relationship between the University and the state of Illinois.

For years, that relationship has been terrible. University administrators came to view the state as an “unreliable partner.” Decreasing state funding, late and inconsistent payments and a pension crisis made dealing with the state a consistent headache for the University. 

It hurts both the University and the state of Illinois to have a strained relationship between the state government and the state’s flagship academic institution. A positive relationship could do wonders for both.

Although McMillan admitted he won’t work with Rauner directly — he will rely on University administrators for that — we hope that McMillan’s history with Rauner will help repair the University’s relationship with the state government.