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* This is what happens when you spend $670,000 on brass doors instead of on making the Statehouse more functional…
(O)ne of the three elevators that people can use from the Capitol rotunda remains closed.
It was shut down in mid-April while the session was still going last spring. It’s not a big deal this time of year, but when the legislature is in session and the place is packed, the elevator gets a lot of use, especially from the public which may not be aware of other elevators in the building. (And we’re talking about people who need to use them because they can’t negotiate stairs).
The thing was shut down for maintenance last spring, then returned to service for a couple of days before it was shut down again. It’s been that way ever since.
The secretary of state’s office said the elevator needed a part to ensure safe operation. However, the elevator is so old, parts to fix it are no longer available. As of several months ago, the elevator maintenance company was trying to find a company that could custom make the part. Illinois companies were contacted, but no luck. The search was expanded nationwide. Still nothing.
So now the plan is to do a “modernization repair” that basically involves replacing all of the equipment that makes the elevator go up and down. That means an extensive bidding process, not to mention the work itself.
No cost estimate yet.
The Statehouse looks better than I’ve ever seen it, but looks can obviously be deceiving.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:43 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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I’m so old I remember when the Statehouse elevators had human operators running them. Had to be the ultimate state job, sit on a stool reading a book, push a couple of buttons when someone got on.
Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:53 am
Gov. Rauner. I know you are concerned about this. There are several union elevator repair contractors located in the state.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:55 am
===Gov. Rauner.===
Start again.
“Secretary White…”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:56 am
Is the architect of the capitol involved?
Comment by Langhorne Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:00 am
Elevator Modernization is a necessary evil for public buildings, count on one every 25-30 years to keep equipment up to date and to ensure safety codes are meant. The big question is did the original elevator have a double bottom cylinder. If no then you have tons more cost.
Comment by Texas Red Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:02 am
Maybe they could try 3D printing. Used a lot in the pre-war car restoration business. Scan and print a copy of the old part, then have a machine shop make new copies.
Comment by LTSW Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:06 am
–As of several months ago, the elevator maintenance company was trying to find a company that could custom make the part–
That sounds like a really bad Macgyver fix, doomed to eventual failure and more costs down the road.
According to the wiki, the original, water-powered elevators were replaced by electric ones in 1939.
The shafts are there. Rather than custom-building parts, wouldn’t it be smarter in the long run just to put in new systems?
This can’t be the first 1880s building where that’s been done.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:09 am
“The big question is did the original elevator have a double bottom cylinder.”
Not going to touch this comment, nope, can’t do it, don’t want to get banned.
Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:14 am
This is just another example of government that doesn’t work. There is no way that private industry would let this go for this long. Not spending money to fix things isn’t working smarter it’s ignoring reality.
Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:20 am
“There is no way that private industry would let this go for this long.” The cynic in me says that private industry would have only addressed this issue if they were facing an OSHA complaint or it was somehow cutting into their profits.
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:36 am
=== There is no way that private industry would let this go for this long.===
Private industry does not have to do the politically difficult thing of having one entire branch of government appropriate the money, and another branch of government spend the money - and having all this happen in a way that complies with a myriad of laws governing transparency and accountability.
Not understanding the differences between government and private industry is ignoring reality.
Comment by Nick Name Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:47 am
“Not understanding the differences between government and private industry is ignoring reality.” In other words, you *can’t* run government like a business? Who knew? /s
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:51 am
As Billy Crystal aka Fernando Lamas said…”It’s better to look good than to be good.”
Comment by Past the Rule of 85 Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:53 am
It’s not just the state house where this is an issue (trying to find someone to make parts for machinery that is no longer in peoduction). A lot of older state facilities are facing the same problem.
Comment by Fixer Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:55 am
Elected officials usually don’t use elevators because they get hoisted by their own petards.
The exception is Mendoza who claims she walks on air.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:03 pm
=== There is no way that private industry would let this go for this long.===
Ever been in the Chicago loop? There are plenty of old office buildings with grandfathered elevator systems. Just look around.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:04 pm
I wish some aspiring reporter would look into the elevators at the Bilandic Building. They have been out of service for the last three years.
There are times when only one elevator is working, resulting in a line out the door if there is a hearing going on.
It’s embarrassing, but you have to warn out-of-state clients that they’ll need to arrive 30-45 minutes early for a meeting just to get up the elevator.
Scary part is when the elevator finally arrives and everybody crams in, causing it to get stuck (there is a sign warning that no more than eight people should get on).
There have been many days when only the freight elevator is working. I remember seeing a group of legislators taking the freight elevator for a JCAR hearing.
This is hearsay, but building maintenance has told me that this administration ignores elevator repairs as much as possible. Which makes sense seeing how much the Governor loathes government workers.
Comment by Top Floor Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:08 pm
=== There is no way that private industry would let this go for this long.===
I guess that’s why no one ever made a buck as a slumlord.
Or, bustin’ out nursin’ homes, for instance.
If you don’t see private “entrepreneurs” making money through neglect or “deferred maintenance,” I guess you’re still in that Econ 101 class.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:31 pm
===trying to find a company that could custom make the part===
Here’s hoping they order more than one of these parts. Pro-tip: order some extras for when this happens again or on another elevator in the building.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:32 pm
I would assume states are exempt somehow, but if access to elevators or not enough access to elevators does that not become an ADA violation?
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:51 pm
===I would assume states are exempt somehow, but if access to elevators or not enough access to elevators does that not become an ADA violation?===
Yes it does. And bodies of government are not exempt from the ADA.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 2:39 pm
How can anybody who put together the plans for the renovations for the Statehouse not consider elevator work? That seems to be a massive oversight or negliance.
Comment by MyTwoCents Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 5:32 pm
Il government has a long history of boondoggles with its buildings and infrastructure. Remember the Thompson Center in Chicago that leaked for years; same for the Willard Ice (Revenue)building in Springfield, State fairgrounds buildings are uninhabitable, sbestos problems, etc. The Ice building had a parking ramp that is now structurally unsound without money to repair. Our sorry state.
Comment by justacitizen Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 7:37 pm