* Workers have been remodeling the western wing of the Statehouse since session ended two years ago. Large, wooden walls have blocked the view of the wing during the extensive reconstruction. Late yesterday, the 1st Floor wall came down and Statehouse denizens flocked to see the progress.

I took some pictures and posted them on our live session coverage post, but you may have missed them since it was so late in the day. The view is obstructed by the scaffolding, but click the pics for larger images…

       

17 Comments - Knome Sane - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 9:21 am: Money well spent. Now, onto the demolition of the Stratton Building. - Chitownhv - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 9:24 am: Magnificent. The parts of the restoration that have already been completed (rm 114, etc..) look stunning and it seems that the West wing will be equally impressive. Well done. - wordslinger - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 9:25 am: It’s a magnificent building. - walkinfool - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 9:33 am: Rich: I assumed this headline was about a major political shift. LOL at myself Everyone should make the time to visit the Capitol building, if at all possible. It is spectacular, in a solid Midwestern sort of way. - LincolnLounger - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 10:04 am: When I saw the headline, “Walls come down”, I didn’t expect this subject matter. - 3rd Generation Chicago Native - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 10:12 am: We do have a beautiful state Capital Building. I remember the first time I visited and was in the center waiting for the tour and looked up. The interior of the dome is one the most impressive things I have ever seen. I know you have a picture of it in your header but seeing it live is even more spectacular. Everyone should visit the State Capital in Springfield once, the thick marble walls, the intricate woodwork and painting. Very impressive building. Thanks for the update. How is your tree? - siriusly - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 10:14 am: Fantastic work, truly a magnificent building. Clearly they have improved the HVAC in the building, committee rooms were FREEZING yesterday. - CarrollCounty - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 10:16 am: Looks nice. I only saw the statehouse for the first time a few weeks ago and the wall was there. Second on the Stratton. I went to visit a friend at JCAR and what a worthless building that is. Ugly and messy everything. Huge hallways in inner offices were a total waste of square footage. On the other hand, legislators were cramped into a different strange space and a total mess. Building needs an overhaul, its as if it were not built for its current use, although I only saw two floors of it, maybe the rest is nicer? - TwoFeetThick - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 10:22 am: The results of all of the renovations that have been going on at the State House over the last decade + have been spectacular. I just hope some moron 40 years from now doesn’t decide to save a buck by again busting out the cream paint en masse instead of touching up the intricate paintwork that’s now being restored, like some moron(s) did years ago. - Rich Miller - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 10:42 am: ===maybe the rest is nicer? === LOL. No. - Stones - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 11:16 am: Back in the day when I was a temporary page myself and a couple of buddies located the passageway to get up to the flagpole on top of the Capitol Building. I loved exploring all the interested nooks and crannies of the building. - Susiejones - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 12:09 pm: we have a beautiful Capitol building. a friend of mine from VA has visited nearly every Capitol in the United States, kinda’ like people want to visit every national park. He says the Illinois Capitol building is by far the most beautiful. I have seen maybe a dozen Capitol buildings and certainly agree with him! - Stooges - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 1:11 pm: Illinois’ Capitol is awesome. Wisconsin’s is nice too. - FormerGOPer - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 1:42 pm: One other piece of trivia, our dome is the tallest. Actually learned this in Texas where the tour guide had to admit theirs is only second tallest. A priceless moment!! - Curmudgeon - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 3:52 pm: I thought the state is broke! - honest abe - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 9:29 pm: Curmufgeon, As long as you and I are working they are never broke just you and I are lol. - Arthur Andersen - Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 10:31 pm: I think this is a true story. The Stratton Building has its odd layout because the plans and money used to build it were originally intended for a mental health facility in, I believe, Elgin. When Gov. Stratton was elected, he halted the project and convinced the GA to build the office building in SPI instead, but couldn’t get more money. That’s why the building has the hospital-style long, wide corridors and large lobbies on each floor. I worked there 25 years ago and it was terrible-can’t even imagine current conditions. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.