CHICAGO October 13 Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner said on Tuesday the state government will auction off its main building in Chicago, the Thompson Center, saying it is inefficient and that the sale will save the state money and generate tax revenue. The large atrium makes it hard to heat and cool, ripped carpeting is held together by tape and a large granite panel fell off the building and crashed onto Clark Street five years ago. No dates have been determined, but the governor said he hopes to sell the site “within the next year or so”.
Advertisement
The headquarters for state government in Chicago was built in the mid 1980s, but is considered outdated and in need of much-needed maintenance, something the state, with its massive, multi-billion dollar budget deficit, can not afford.
“We will review the proposed action in light of state law on property control and facilities closures”, said Moira Dolehide, a spokeswoman for Democratic Illinois Senate President John Cullerton. Rauner believes a redevelopment of the site, which also includes one of the busiest train stations in the city, would likely include new offices and retail space.
The building, 100 W. Randolph St., opened in May 1985 as the State of Illinois Center.
Disposing of the Thompson Center is not a new idea for the state.
Jahn says its downtown location is enticing and it can become a 21st century landmark. Parts of the building have fallen into disrepair and require work.
But in a statement Jahn says that the building hasn’t been maintained or repaired. Rauner said the center “can be replaced by a very positive, very impactful new building”.
Advertisement
“We gotta drive value to the taxpayers”, he said.
