Gov. Bruce Rauner says he and his wife are moving to a home on the Illinois State Fairgrounds while renovation work is done on the state's Executive Mansion. Tours of the Illinois Executive Mansion will close to the public starting in January. The restoration project is expected to take 18 months.
Diana Rauner is heading up a private fundraising campaign to fund the estimated $15 million cost of the work. The Illinois Executive Mansion Association raised $4.5 million as of July.
Diana Rauner says the mansion will feature art by Illinois artists, an educational visitor's center for school groups and some necessary updates. Springfield contractor O'Shea Builders has been selected as the managing contractor for the restoration.
