* SJ-R…
A private fundraising campaign is approximately $4.5 million toward the estimated $15 million cost of restoring the historic Illinois Executive Mansion in Springfield, according to figures released Monday by the campaign.
The goal is to complete the work in time for the 200th anniversary of Illinois statehood in 2018.
We’ll get back to the mansion in a bit.
* But, first…
The 2018 Illinois Bicentennial Commission was created in May 2014 by then-Gov. Pat Quinn and left in the hands of his successor, Bruce Rauner. Its official task: “The Bicentennial Commission will plan and coordinate events, activities, publications, digital media, and other developments and encourage citizen participation at all levels in every community in the state.”
That hasn’t happened. The commission’s Facebook page has made all of three posts in two years. In fact, it seems the commission hasn’t even met. […]
“Right now, there’s nothing going on,” [William Furry, executive director of the Illinois State Historical Society] says. “There should be press releases going out every week. There’s no coordination to put it all together.
“There’s a lot that could be done that wouldn’t cost a lot of money.”
Apparently, all the effort and money is going into the mansion.
Maybe somebody should check into this?
* Anyway, back to the topic at hand…
Vinci Hamp Architects president Philip Hamp said opening up the north side of the mansion grounds — including a public entrance from Jackson Street — will improve the visibility of the historic structure, as well as access. The existing entrances on Fourth and Fifth streets will be used for vehicle traffic, though a drop-off zone on the north side of the mansion will be eliminated.
The changes also will bring the home into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, said Hamp.
“There will be a gate at the bottom of the hill. People will circulate up both walks to the level of the mansion,” said Hamp. “The big sweep of the yard to Jackson Street will be available for events.
* More…
One of the worst things about the mansion is that its lone elevator is broken, making the house inaccessible to people in wheelchairs. The renovation will change that, replacing the elevator and installing gradually sloping — and therefore accessible — pathways that lead to the house from a new entrance to the north.
Expect more smart upgrades inside. The ground-floor orientation center will seat about 20. New carpeting and paint will harmonize with the mansion’s Regency-style furniture, upgrading the high ceilings of the first-floor parlors where work by the state’s fine and decorative artists will be displayed. Second-floor bedrooms will get period-style decoration that conveys key events in state history such as the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
In the governor’s private quarters, a new kitchen and family room suite will dramatically expand the tiny kitchenette. Right now, “There’s a microwave and a sink that’s this big,” [Mrs.] Rauner said, cupping her hands close together.
The upcoming work will build on earlier improvements such as a $500,000 roof that was installed last year after revelations of decrepit conditions at the mansion. These conditions include plaster falling from ceilings, black mold that took root in the basement and rainwater that seeped into the Lincoln bedroom.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 9:59 am:
Kudos on the effort to renovate the mansion.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:02 am:
Money well spent.
- A guy - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:04 am:
A worthy effort.
- anon - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:06 am:
Credit where credit is due. Rauner is delivering on what he promised he’d do - and a saved, renovated mansion will have a far longer-lasting impact than the bicentennial, although there certainly could be some cool event tied to that if done right.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:08 am:
–“The Bicentennial Commission will plan and coordinate events, activities, publications, digital media, and other developments and encourage citizen participation at all levels in every community in the state.”
That hasn’t happened.–
More than two years wasted. That’s a crying shame.
Despite all the constant self-flagellation by the usual-suspect-victims, there’s a lot to commemorate, celebrate and be proud of about Illinois history.
Tennessee did a spectacular job with their Bicentennial Park off the Capitol in Nashville. It’s an interactive, educational, beautiful must-see attraction that will still be a draw when they celebrate their Tricentennial.
Unless there’s some quick turnaround (there’s a word), we’ll have blown it on our watch for leaving something lasting for future generations.
Hope they like the elevator.
- illini - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:13 am:
Agreed, very worthy and long overdue.
Of course, the Governor and all his friends in the top .01% could write relatively small checks ( at least for them ) to quickly cover the remaining monies that are needed. Just saying.
- Big Muddy - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:15 am:
Money well spent. The mansion in its current condition is an embarrassing representation of our once great state.
- Boone's is Back - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:15 am:
The mansion being in disrepair is really unacceptable but I guess with the budget stalemate and social service providers not being paid it’s par for the course. It shouldn’t take private money to take care of the people’s house. TII.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:16 am:
Rich, I respectfully request you do a separate post on the Bicentennial Commission. Out of appreciation for the Mansion effort, I’ll keep this thread clear of my thoughts on Bicentennial.
- Thoughts Matter - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:19 am:
I believe we need to maintain and repair it, make the private kitchen usable. Make it ADA compliant with walkways, elevator. But, let’s not go overboard with grand schemes.while we are destroying the rest of the state. I have to look askance at people donating huge sums while their local Meals on Wheels program or rape crisis center shuts down
- Sir Reel - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:20 am:
I agree the work needs to be done. $15 million for one structure.
However there’s a lot of other State structures in need of work. IHPA and DNR have many historic structures that have languished for years.
I wish the Governor would take care of all the State’s irreplaceable assets. A capital program would put some people to work.
- Just Me - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:20 am:
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m sure not in a mood to celebrate the State of Illinois right now.
When Blagojevich was Governor I thought things couldn’t get worse, and then we had Quinn, and I thought things couldn’t get worse, and now we have Rauner, and I think things can’t get worse.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:21 am:
Worthwhile and the right thing to do.
- Color me sad - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:51 am:
Thanks for the update on the bicentennial commission. I’ve been wondering if Governor Downer would refuse to authorize any sort of celebration.
I’m old enough to remember some of the things that were done for the sesquicentennial. Pretty sad to think we can’t celebrate 200 years of statehood. Maybe we could have a celebration if we banned public unions from participating?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:52 am:
I recommend the Bicentennial commission consider burying a time capsule to be opened 100 years from now.
Put Rauner and Madigan in it.
Then in 2118 we dig them up and declare one of their remains, “the winner”!
- walker - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 10:53 am:
Good.
Where’s Lingle when we need her?/s
- A Jack - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 11:26 am:
That is unfortunate about the bicentennial. Illinois’ centennial seems to have been a huge event. They did lots of research into a number of Illinois founding families which were published in county histories. Those are incredible resources for tracing one’s genealogy. They also mentioned many who served Illinois in the Civil War. Illinois has given many in the wars since 1918. Perhaps the bicentennial could give some recognition to those men and women as well.
- Dome Gnome - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 11:40 am:
I have mixed feelings about renovating the mansion and celebrating (or not celebrating) the Bicentennial. I wish we had more to celebrate or at least more to be proud of. I clearly remember celebrating our country’s Bicentennial in 1976. That was a relatively hopeful time. The Vietnam War had ended, I was still young, and the music scene was getting good. We had also taken some steps to mop up some of the nation’s social and environmental messes. I don’t imagine for a moment that any of us will look back at the Bicentennial of Illinois with this same gauzy longing.
- up2now - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 12:24 pm:
Maybe Rauner doesn’t plan for the state to still be here in two years.
- siriusly - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 12:45 pm:
Excited to read about this. Much needed and could be a great addition for visitors to Springfield. Congratulations to the Governor for moving on this.
Not kidding, no snark - this may be his legacy project.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 12:51 pm:
1.4% will need a tax deduction for next year’s income taxes. So why doesn’t he just write a check for the $11.5 million. I mean, he is writing other big checks to try to get his super majority in the GA.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 12:56 pm:
1.4% will slap something together for the bicentennial. It won’t mean to much or be very worthwhile.
- Secret Square - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 1:15 pm:
“I’m old enough to remember some of the things that were done for the sesquicentennial”
The Spoon River Scenic Drive (two weekends every October) was originally organized as a one-time Sesqui celebration but, of course, proved to be such a hit that it’s still going on today.
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 1:30 pm:
A new governor to go with the new mansion has a certain ring to it. Of course Bruce will probably trash the place on his way out if he holds to his current MO.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 1:50 pm:
There ought to be a voluntary contribution check off box on Illinois tax returns to allow citizens to donate to the repair the Mansion.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 2:50 pm:
–I clearly remember celebrating our country’s Bicentennial in 1976–
yep, that’s a fond memory for me as well. My grandparents had a lake cabin in Ohio and hosted a huge family reunion on the 4th weekend. I was a spritely 2nd grader and made every person present a red/white/blue construction paper three cornered hat! Everyone wore their hat for the great group picture with the cabin in the background. Wonderful fireworks that night. Luckily uncle Keith’s dog “Sniffer” was deaf as a stone by then. Sniffer was one mean dog and would have lost it if he had heard the fireworks.
It would be so nice if we could celebrate our two hundredth anniversary here in Illinois. I’ll make Rich a special three cornered hat! White paper and I’ll have my 4 yo niece make the state seal on it. (You can even use it for thanksgiving. All birds even the state eagle look suspiciously like Thanksgiving hand turkeys)
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 4:28 pm:
–I recommend the Bicentennial commission consider burying a time capsule to be opened 100 years from now.
Put Rauner and Madigan in it.
Then in 2118 we dig them up and declare one of their remains, “the winner”!–
VMan, that was truly inspired.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 4:33 pm:
Excited to read about this. Much needed and could be a great addition for visitors to Springfield. –Congratulations to the Governor for moving on this.
Not kidding, no snark - this may be his legacy project.–
That’s pretty grim. One piece of real estate in one town, your legacy as governor?
For crying out loud, my brothers renovate and flip four or five properties a year. On the side, nights and weekends.
I fear Rauner’s legacy will be the crippling of higher ed and the social service infrastructure while at the same time causing explosive new debt.
That ain’t easy to do, at the same time. Takes a plan.
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Jul 19, 16 @ 5:02 pm:
Word, a group of local firemen and their brothers, dads, and friends do the same thing with houses on days off and weekends. I might suggest that they put in a bid.
We’ll just have to be vigilant and make sure that BVR doesn’t try to flip it for a quick score on his way outta town once it’s all gussied up.