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“The building is nice, the legislators not”

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Illinois

* Overall, the Illinois Statehouse has a 4.5-star TripAdvisor rating. Some of the individual reviews are pretty biting, though…

“The building is nice, the legislators not”

The Illinois State Capitol building is an attractive imposing building. Unfortunately, the legislators do not live up to their positions. Go for a visit to see where governing is supposed to take place.

Visited April 2017

* And…

“Our state reps don’t use the building so i figured we’d tour it”

Beautiful building and a lot of history behind it. We were able to go to just about every room in the capitol since all of our state reps were missing, like usual. Definitely visit the basement to see the foundation.

Visited March 2017

Your own review?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 9:26 am

Comments

Need to go back and relive some of my intern days from IGIP.

Comment by Highland IL Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 9:34 am
” Definitely visit the basement to see the foundation”
And visit the cafeteria which is where the legislators used to stable their horses. The horses are gone but they left their…

Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 9:34 am
Beautiful, imposing, traditional 1800’s sausage grinding facility… Unfortunately, current CEO is a vegetarian…

Comment by Anotheretiree Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 9:44 am
Beautiful building. Don’t use the tunnels during session as you are likely to get run over by groups or legislator staff. Don’t expect the rest of the state offices to be as pretty as this building.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 9:44 am
“The building is way too old and costly to serve our state. We should have a law that requires us to rent out newer buildings every 10 years so we don’t have to maintain the capitol and it’ll give a nice change of perspective for our legislators. Also, let’s burn unions to the ground. 4/5 stars - would serve as governor again”

Comment by MissingG Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 9:46 am
After touring the Statehouse, walk over to the Staratton Bldg. and visit your new State Rep. that told you they were going to change Springfield and be a player on day one. Take a look at their office space. Any questions?

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 9:49 am
“It’s a very big building for only 5 people.”

Comment by Rufus Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 9:54 am
Building is old, which I like, too many electronics and new fangled gizmos like a facts machine. How does a machine know facts? Current upper management is good at diversion and making others looks responsible 3/5 MrSpeaker

Comment by OurMagician Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 9:55 am
“The food’s okay, but the public service is lousy.”

Comment by Dome Gnome Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 9:58 am
Loved the doors.

Comment by Name Withheld Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 9:59 am
The embossed paper towels in the Republican restroom in the House chamber are very impressive.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 10:13 am
the construction of this building is beautiful but venture elsewhere for food. (get a decent horseshoe or ponyshoe elsewhere.) seasoned travelers will find their way to “The Bunker.”

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 10:14 am
During the time when the Capitol building was my office, I often commented that it was unlikely I’d ever work in a more beautiful building.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 10:20 am
I didn’t realize that the land on which the capitol was built is still owned by the Cellini family, which has a long-term lease with the state.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 10:23 am
Historic, lovely structure that suggests something of importance might be conducted inside. No homeless people (yet) appear on the grounds. The doors are imposing, if not expensive. Inside, the corridors smell of money and influence, with a faint odor of tobacco from yesteryear. On occasion one might catch glimpses of a not-quite-smarter-than-your-avarage-bear-type legislator. Historical records on site suggest that at one time it functioned at some level of governing and an occasional old-timer present might regale you with a story of how he remembers when Illinois had a real budget. Not sure if true, he did smell of cheap bourbon.

Comment by Tommydanger Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 10:29 am
Beautiful building.

Vacant.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 10:32 am
Any day spent in the Capitol, and I’ve spent many, is a treat and a delight. First, walk to the rotunda and look straight up, the view will take your breath away. You’ll want to visit the Senate and House chambers because they’ve recently been redone but the real treat is the rest of the building. Walk down each hallway on each floor that you can and visit the committee hearing rooms. Some are ordinary, at least by the Capitol’s standards and others are just terrific, each is unique. Also in each hallway there are various paintings, some you will get personally attached to. And last walk up the great staircase from the 2nd to the 3rd floor and check out the oversized painting on the wall there showing George Rogers Clark negotiating with Native Americans at Fort Kaskaskia in 1778.

You’re going to fall in love with the state house and you will no longer why so many work so hard to get elected there.

Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 10:33 am
All kidding aside, if you’ve visited a lot of state capitol buildings — as I have — you know Illinois has one of the best. It is also very accessible. I’ve tried to give myself self guided tours of other capitols and often find many of the doors, (even to the chamber galleries) locked.

Comment by Roman Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 10:33 am
Nice building. Now if the town around it were only as beautiful as Madison…

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 10:53 am
A grand, beautiful building that needs to house a government worthy of it.

Comment by IllinoisBoi Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 10:55 am
- lake county dem -

One of the great mistakes Springfield made was putting UIS (then Sangamon State) on the outskirts of town. Had they cleared some space downtown — like Daley did for UIC — both the university and downtown Springfield would be larger and more successful then both are today. Maybe not as vibrant as Madison, but it would have been an improvement.

Comment by BC Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 11:21 am
Absolutely stunning building, that has history dripping everywhere and living history constantly.

I understand and honestly appreciate the biting snark towards those who occupy chambers in separate wings, but even those chambers are as compelling in beauty as they are in history.

I guess my hope continues to be that Stratton is removed and a more suitable architectural companion would join the Capitol Complex, adding to the surrounds, not distracting from the state library, the Armory, and all the state buildings looking to add to the beauty of the Capitol.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 11:22 am
Visit the Illinois Capitol building, comprised of secret tunnels and elevators used by legislators to avoid the annoying electorate who visit. See the decadent, marbled restrooms, often with faucets that flow like an aged man with an enlarged prostate. While on your way to the second floor of the Capitol, a place where Governors worked prior to January 2015, be sure to fall down that obstinate staircase. For an extra bit of fun, carry massive stacks of folders to sneak into the elevators. Here, go visit your elected official by winding through the maze of hallways. If you’re lucky, maybe the lobbyists have left a few seconds of time open for you to visit your legislator. Maybe. Probably not.

Marvel at the architecture of the committee rooms. Take a peak at the House floor from a faraway balcony, muttering to yourself that you get the government you paid for and you wish you had the receipt.

From there, partake in the Stratton Building’s fine dining, with options ranging from stale Fruit Loops to flat Red Bulls. While exiting the building, be sure to look out from a gaggle of smokers to your left. These are the people who actually run the place. Return to your car, devastated. This is our sorry State.

Comment by Mittuns Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 11:32 am
The Illinois Capitol building is one of the finest statehouses in the US. It drips with history and serves as a memorial to the leaders of the state (good and otherwise). The art and craftsmanship are testaments to the artisans who built and refurbished the building. A beautiful building should inspire those who work within and visit. We built this, and therefore we should honor it.

On a personal note, I am a firm believer that public buildings should be beautiful spaces that celebrate the state and its institutions. These structures transcend the occupants and serve as monuments to the ideals of our government.

Comment by Flip357 Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 11:34 am
“…visit your elected official by winding through the maze of hallways. If you’re lucky, maybe the lobbyists have left a few seconds of time open for you to visit your legislator. Maybe. Probably not.”

You just described Congress too.

Comment by btowntruth from forgotonnia Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 1:22 pm
Great Bldg…but the reception is cold. Go to Texas and there are people to great you and take you on a tour. real down home nice…..would work well in Springfield.

Comment by scott aster Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 1:28 pm
Where is the Century Club Trophy kept in the House in between award ceremonies? It ought to be on permanent display.

Comment by anon2 Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 3:00 pm
I give tours of the Capitol three or four times a year, discussing the early days of Illinois government and the quirks that came up in the early days. I use the building to illustrate various points, such as the statue of Ninian Edwards, who deserves a lot more credit s the father of Illinois.

Comment by Capitol View Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 4:41 pm
still waiting for Rod to get his picture, or more likely just a rectangular bar noting his election dates and the date of his impeachment. Pat Quinn has no recognition in the Hall of Governors due to the Rod situation.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 4:43 pm
Nationally recognized as Illinois’ “Taj Mahal”, the similarities don’t end there - both serve as tombs.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Apr 12, 17 @ 6:36 pm