URBANA, Ill. (AP) — The University of Illinois is speeding up its search for a new president.

The News-Gazette in Champaign reports the presidential search committee wants to name a successor to President Robert Easter before Thanksgiving.

Easter is set to retire next June. University officials originally said they wanted to select his replacement by the end of this year.

But search committee members said Friday they want a new president in place in time to choose a new chancellor for the university’s Chicago campus.

University of Illinois-Chicago Chancellor Paula Meares is stepping down in January.

The committee also heard from Easter about what they should look for in the next president. He says his successor should have an academic background, experience at a top university, familiarity with Illinois and “substantial global experience.”

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