SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — 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 State Journal-Register reports. The restoration project is expected to take 18 months.
The Illinois Executive Mansion Association said Springfield contractor O’Shea Builders has been selected as the managing contractor for the restoration.
Diana Rauner is heading up a private fundraising campaign to fund the estimated $15 million cost of the work. The association had 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.