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Mansion stuff

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Illinois

* I delayed fixing a chimney and it recently cost me a small fortune to have it repaired. The very same short-sighted principle applies here…

Although an initial analysis of deteriorating conditions at the [governor’s] mansion estimated minimal repairs will cost $8.8 million, organizers of the private fundraising campaign expect the figure to be higher when historic restoration experts release a more detailed report later this month. And officials expect the cost of repairs will continue to increase the longer the wait for repairs. […]

Last year, $2.4 million in emergency repairs for the mansion was approved but never spent. The mansion’s roof was patched last summer to prevent leaks that had continued to damage walls, buckle floors and cause mold to grow in the basement.

Problems with the mansion include roof leaks, water damage, wood decay, faded carpets, peeling paint, and outdated mechanical, electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling systems.

* Annual reports? Maybe they should reconsider and do them quarterly…

Governor’s spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said donations will be made public in annual reports. The campaign also has a website: illinoismansion.org.

* Could this allow the governor to get around prevailing wage requirements?…

Van Meter, a Springfield businessman who chairs the Sangamon County Board, said legislative leaders will be asked to highlight the fundraising campaign with constituents. But he said the Rauners were specific when it came to tax dollars.

“It’s 100 percent private funding,” Van Meter said. “It will be through memberships to the association and donations to the association.”

Gotta wonder if the unions will picket.

* And, look, if the swells wanna kick in I’m fine with that because the repairs are definitely needed. But will kids really care?…

Van Meter said the coming campaign will be statewide for donations large and small, perhaps including a “pennies for the mansion” appeal to schools.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 18, 15 @ 1:37 pm

Comments

Tear it down and build a brand new mansion. One would think a new mansion would be much cheaper than refurbishing the current one to it’s hey day. Is the history of the mansion worth 9M?

Comment by Mama Monday, May 18, 15 @ 1:49 pm
How tone deaf to expect to use this state’s public schools to help raise money for Bruce Rauner’s house.

There are public school districts that are already operating on community charity or close to it and the school kids are supposed to raise funds for a house in Springfield they’ll likely never see?

Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, May 18, 15 @ 1:49 pm
It sounds to me like we’re soon going to see a new line added to the voluntary contributions section of our state tax returns.

Query: how is it that we spent so much on the state capitol renovations and spent so little on the governor’s mansion?

Let me guess…..

Comment by Anonymousse Monday, May 18, 15 @ 1:51 pm
Look out Road Fund.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, May 18, 15 @ 1:52 pm
=== how is it that we spent so much on the state capitol renovations and spent so little on the governor’s mansion?===

Because MJM doesn’t care about the public’s react and the governors have.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 18, 15 @ 1:52 pm
A simple suggestion: How about adding a voluntary contribution to Illinois income tax form to permit residents to make a tax deductible gift to help pay for the repairs? Illinois already does this for various other funds (wildlife, etc.).

It is a win, win.

Comment by Under Further Review Monday, May 18, 15 @ 1:52 pm
== Is the history of the mansion worth 9M?==

It was built when Lincoln was living in Springfield. I’d say yes.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, May 18, 15 @ 1:54 pm
How about a “pennies for our crumbling schools” campaign instead?

Comment by Wensicia Monday, May 18, 15 @ 1:55 pm
“Kids…put your box tops for school supplies in this container, and your pennies for the Governor’s Mansion in this container.”

Yeah, right.

Comment by Old Shepherd Monday, May 18, 15 @ 1:56 pm
What a metaphor for our entire state and our political processes

Comment by Louie Bubba Monday, May 18, 15 @ 1:58 pm
Rauner toughts his old blue mini van in his add campaign, how bout they just tear down the mansion and pull one of thise Si Robertson mobile homes on it… After all when he has his way with the middle class we all will be living in one anyhow…. Another words lead by example Bruce!!!!

Comment by Average joe Monday, May 18, 15 @ 1:58 pm
You think he will get No-Union workers to fix the Mansion ?

Comment by Strobby Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:03 pm
Didn’t the Gov give an interview where he said he tried to pay for the repairs and was told he couldn’t do that? I say let’s grab any one of the many vehicles still in Rules and let the Gov donate his own money! (He always could have but it would look way cooler this way)

Comment by Not quite a majority Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:05 pm
I totally agree with Mama; tear it down and build a new one.

Comment by Just a Citizen Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:06 pm
“Last year, $2.4 million in emergency repairs for the mansion was approved but never spent.” So where is that money? Why isn’t it being spent? Can it be spent now? None of the stories I’ve seen on the Mansion address these questions.

Comment by IllinoisBoi Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:12 pm
If no public money is going towards this, why would you want to demolish a National historic landmark building? It predates the Civil War.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:13 pm
=help raise money for Bruce Rauner’s house=

Um, this isn’t one of Rauner’s numerous mansions. This is the Executive Manor of the State of Illinois. It is a historical edifice. Why is it a bad thing if folks and schoolchildren wish to voluntarily donate money towards repairs. No one is forcing a donation.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:16 pm
Schools get 58% of our already too high real estate tax bills. Too bad they haven’t been good stewards with all that juice.

Comment by anon Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:16 pm
=== how is it that we spent so much on the state capitol renovations and spent so little on the governor’s mansion?===

Because MJM doesn’t care about the public’s react and the governors have.

actually if you put the mansion under the OAC this would a project already done…Most fingers point to PQ failing spend $ already available for appearances….meantime private funds for public building will pay for prevailing wages…Scabistan can go elsewhere.

Comment by Anonin' Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:17 pm
“Why isn’t it being spent?”

It was an election year and the incumbent was in the fight of his political life, money is tight, we were just getting over the stink about the Capitol renovations and many more. Imagine if Quinn had gone ahead and made those repairs. There’s your answer.

Where is the money? Probably spent on something else of course.

Comment by Skeptic Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:21 pm
“To see if $8.8 million is a fair price for repair of the IL Governor’s mansion, I would like to see an itemized list of repairs needed with estimated costs for each repair.

The Illinois Capital Development Board, which oversees state buildings, released a nine-page analysis in February on conditions at the Executive Mansion, carriage house and grounds in Springfield. The report estimated $8.8 million in repairs were needed at minimum.
Here are some of the findings:
* Numerous roof leaks.
* Water damage to walls and ceilings.
* Exterior wood decay, window leaks, peeling paint, crumbled pavement, buckled veranda decks.
* Outdated heating, air-conditioning and security systems.
* Elevator no longer works.
* Murals in need of restoration.
* Access gates occasionally inoperable.
* Poor drainage at east security wall.
* Fire safety improvements needed, including automatic fire suppression system.
* Outdated telecommunications system.
* Carpets more than 20 years old, badly torn and faded.
* Mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades needed.”

Comment by Enviro Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:23 pm
When it comes to historic buildings, doing “nothing” is actually the cynical path of “doing something”. That is, letting it fall into such disrepair that there’s no other choice. This would hardly be the first time this strategy was executed-(pardon the pun)

Sad. Absolutely should be restored.

Comment by A guy Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:23 pm
Will there be a RTW zone around the executive mansion?

Comment by Hedley Lamarr Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:32 pm
The PWA cannot be circumvented.If you review the AG’s opinion 97-14 page 7 explains it clearly. a Public Body cannot avoid the Act simply because the funding comes from a private source.

It would be a scheme to circumvent the Act..

Comment by Pale Rider Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:34 pm
Rich-
The elevator does not work so the second floor inclding the ballroom can not be used because it is not accessible.

Comment by Reggaeman Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:38 pm
A simple suggestion: How about adding a voluntary contribution to Illinois income tax form to permit residents to make a tax deductible gift to help pay for the repairs? Illinois already does this for various other funds (wildlife, etc.).

It is a win, win.
—————————————-

That assumes that the funds are not swept…

Comment by Anonymous Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:39 pm
Is Dave Bourland still with the Mansion Association?

Comment by ClumsyTuna Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:40 pm
DNR has many historic buildings in similarly poor condition (CCC lodges, cabins and shelters). Unfortunately most of the DNR capital budget has gone into its shooting sports sinkhole in Randolph County. Illinois never seems to miss an opportunity to let politics interfere with protecting the state’s historic heritage.

Comment by Sir Reel Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:41 pm
===the second floor inclding the ballroom can not be used because it is not accessible. ===

They still use it.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 18, 15 @ 2:44 pm
This is so disheartening; Blago & PQ treated the mansion the same way as the retirement systems - neglect until disaster arrives.

Comment by anon. Monday, May 18, 15 @ 3:04 pm
===They still use it.

Correct. But you can’t use the 2nd floor unless you are able to walk up. I am speaking of events where individuals in chairs are in attendance.

Comment by Reggaeman Monday, May 18, 15 @ 3:09 pm
“That is, letting it fall into such disrepair that there’s no other choice.”

Witness the former “Baseball Palace of the World” known as Comiskey Park. The ownership group wanted a new stadium and deferred maintenance until repairs and renovation were no longer considered feasible.

One of the odd things, is that Comiskey Park, which was the first “modern” brick and mortar ballpark, in opposition to the wooden grandstand parks that preceded it, and Weegham Park/Wrigley Field were both designed by the same architect. Comiskey cut corners to save money while the Wrigleys lavish money on their park.

Comment by Under Further Review Monday, May 18, 15 @ 3:32 pm
I attended an event at the mansion in January 2013 at at the time staff there were touting a recent rehab of part of the building. Anyone know more detail on what might have been done in the previous administration?

The part of the building we were in looked great at that time.

Comment by DuPage Dave Monday, May 18, 15 @ 4:04 pm
UFR, the Allyn family let it go bigtime and Bill Veeck didn’t have the scratch to fix it. The current owners put a ton of money into it. I get your point. I loved that place. The new one, with all the modifications made, has grown on me. A World Series will do that.

Comment by A guy Monday, May 18, 15 @ 4:14 pm
==How tone deaf to expect to use this state’s public schools to help raise money for Bruce Rauner’s house.==

I dislike the guy as much as anybody, but the governor actually LIVES in a top-floor modern flat (when the governor lives in Springfield at all); the first two floors are historic museum spaces and used for various state functions and parties and receptions. Or would be, if they were usable. It’s a state public space, not Rauner’s house.

There are free public tours and school groups visit all the time.

(However, I don’t really think a school collection for it is appropriate.)

Comment by Educated in the Suburbs Monday, May 18, 15 @ 4:34 pm
==- anon. - Monday, May 18, 15 @ 3:04 pm:==

PQ made full pension payments.

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, May 18, 15 @ 4:43 pm
“To see if $8.8 million is a fair price for repair of the IL Governor’s mansion, I would like to see an itemized list of repairs needed with estimated costs for each repair.” Your list does not answer the question. Is $9M a fair price?

Comment by Mama Monday, May 18, 15 @ 5:03 pm
Guy, you cant be serious that Reinsdorf put a lot of money into old Cominskey. How would that make any sense when he was shaking down the state for a new ballpark and threatening to move?

Did you go there the last few years? Where did you see the money invested, specifically?

Dude, you say the crazest things.

As for the mansion, it’s an anachronism in a modern democratic republic. The lot would make a wonderful public park.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, May 18, 15 @ 5:38 pm
How can it be that the State of Illinois doesn’t have the $8.8 million to fix up the Governor’s mansion, but the State had $8.35 million to move the Rees home a block?

Comment by Chicago 20 Monday, May 18, 15 @ 6:36 pm
Here’s a (maybe) crazy idea. The various State unions should volunteer to fund the labor costs for restoring the mansion. It would be a big public relations win. Rauner would then have a hard time claiming with a straight face that the unions were obstructing things. And it would help show solidarity with the non-government trade unions.

I can see the ads now: “Yes, we have some disagreements with the Gov but State employee unions are doing their part to restore the people’s mansion. With his greater personal resources, why isn’t Gov. Rauner also contributing?”

If nothing else, it might divert some of Rauner’s personal money from adding to his attack funds …

Comment by RNUG Monday, May 18, 15 @ 10:00 pm
RNUG, I’ve thought the same thing for a while.

I’m sure there would be a lot of trick bags on the union side, not the least of which would be coordinating the various trades to go along and pass on the potential payday.

But that’s what leadership is all about, and it could be a sweet p.r. score.

Trust factor with Rauner Administration, given the transformation of the anti-union agenda from “not a priority” to a zealot’s crusade, would be a factor, too.

I know peeps in the trades who contribute their labor to good causes. — a lot better causes than a chronically neglected mansion for a governor.

i understand why there’s a president’s house. It was so decreed back in the day and the job has become so large it’s absolutely necessary now.

But a governor’s mansion in 2015? What for? The governor has a swank office in the Dome.

We could get rid of all those public university president houses, too. They’re undemocratic anachronisms.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, May 18, 15 @ 11:47 pm
I have to say that I have been a state employee in a lot of jobs where there were no thank you’d but under a recent administration they invited us for lunch at the Governors Mansion and it meant a lot to me. It’s a beautiful house and with all the state employees who are capable of improving it their talents should be used of as such just saying

Comment by Union gal Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:08 am