A federal grand jury issued a subpoena to Jill Nilsen, Eastern’s vice president for external affairs, on April 24.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Bass, whose name appears on the subpoena, could not comment on whether the subpoena was related to the grand jury investigation of labor negotiations at Eastern that has so far involved Eastern; Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago; the Illinois Department of Labor; the Illinois Board of Higher Education, executive director Keith Sanders and legislative liaison Ross Hodel; the Illinois Education and Labor Relations Board; the State University Civil Service System and director Walter Ingerski; and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399.

“I’m prohibited from confirming or denying the nature of a grand jury investigation,” Bass said Friday.

Nilsen said she did not know what she would be asked to testify about.

“I’m going to go testify. I don’t know what the issues will be,” she said. “My job is to tell the grand jury what I know.”

The subpoena mentions nothing of the other investigation, and Nilsen said she wasn’t sure if the two are connected, but that there is “an assumption” that the subpoena is related.

Bass also could not comment on whether he had served or requested the subpoena.

The subpoena asks Nilsen to appear before a grand jury at 11 a.m. on May 3, but the university requested the date be changed to May 1 so it would not interfere with Nilsen’s participation in commencement ceremonies, university spokesperson Vicki Woodard said. The U.S. Attorney’s office granted the request.