SPRINGFIELD - Although prospects for a statewide construction program remain in legislative limbo, its passage could result in millions of taxpayer dollars being funneled to the state's private colleges and universities.

That has drawn concern from some lawmakers, who question whether public money should be going to places like Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington or Augustana University in Rock Island.

"I have a little bit of a problem with it," said state Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, who counts Southern Illinois University as the biggest employer in his district. "I don't necessarily like it."

Under terms of the proposal approved last week by the Illinois Senate, the state would set aside $200 million to help pay for construction projects at private institutions.

By contrast, the state's public universities and community colleges would see an influx of more than $730 million for construction projects.

David Tretter, director of the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities, said the money could help the schools comply with a state mandate requiring all college dormitories to be outfitted with sprinkler systems by 2013.

"This could be a crippling financial issue for some of these schools. It's a good investment," said Tretter. "We're not talking about building Taj Mahals."

At Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Carl Teichman, director of government and community relations, said the institution needs to retrofit some of its residence halls with sprinklers.

"This could be a way to get it done," he said.

Bryan Marshall, a spokesman for Milllikin University, said the Decatur institution was not expecting any money through the program if the General Assembly and Gov. Rod Blagojevich come to an agreement on the plan.

Marshall said the university has already made sure there are sprinklers in all of its dormitories. "If that's what it is for, we would not need it," said Marshall.

The future of the overall construction plan remains in flux.

The Blagojevich administration has been vigorously promoting the plan in all areas of the state. On Tuesday, lawmakers and top aides were in Rockford and Champaign to call on the House to take action on the plan. A day earlier a similar event occurred in Mount Vernon.

The Illinois House returns to action Monday and will hold a hearing on cuts Blagojevich made last month that stripped millions of dollars in local projects from the state budget.

It is not clear whether the House will take any action on the construction program, which would be funded by a massive expansion of gambling, including a new, land-based casino in Chicago.