Incoming University of Illinois system President Timothy L. Killeen says he hopes to soon meet with both Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner.

Killeen was introduced as the next president on Wednesday during stops at the three campuses in Chicago, Springfield and Urbana-Champaign.

During his stop in Champaign he said he's been "playing phone tag" with both Quinn and Rauner.

Rauner takes office in January.

The state's elected leaders play a key role in university funding. About 15 percent of the $4.5 billion university budget comes from state funds.

Killeen talked at every stop Wednesday about the role the university can play in developing the state's economy