The Illinois House has approved a plan aimed at initiating the sale of a downtown Chicago building housing about 2,200 state employees. The Democrat-majority House voted 67-48 in favor of a proposal to advance the sale of the James R. Thompson Center.
House Speaker Michael Madigan says in a statement that the plan moves the state closer to a sale and shows a willingness to work with the Republican governor.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has pushed for the sale of the 16-story Helmut Jahn-designed building, saying there's roughly $326 million in deferred maintenance as a waste of taxpayer money. Republicans have introduced their own plan for the sale.
However, a Rauner spokeswoman says Tuesday's plan doesn't go far enough. The administration is requesting changes including trying to end a long-term lease with retail tenants. Madigan says Rauner should now focus on resolving the budget impasse.
