The largest-ever renovation project at the Illinois Statehouse attracted only one bid that came in about $73.5 million above the state's original project estimate.
The renovation of the north wing is set to begin this month at the capitol building in Springfield that dates from the late 1880s
The higher cost is not jeopardizing the project because the state had set aside $350 million for statehouse renovations as part of a $45-billion capital improvements package approved in 2019.
Andrea Aggertt, architect of the Illinois Statehouse, said the main cause of the cost increase is inflation. “It’s the state of the economy right now—rising prices for gas, wood and other materials. In addition, after the cost estimate was completed, we added additional scope,” she said. The added work will replace portions of the roof.