Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsThursday, August 23, 2007 6:49 PM CDT
Comments Comments (6) | E-mail this page E-mail this page | Print this page Print this page | Enlarge type Enlarge type | Reduce type Reduce type | Search archives Search archives | RSS RSS feeds | Add to My Yahoo! Add to My Yahoo!
Livingston Co. can take possession of ISP building
By Lee Springfield Bureau
Advertisement

SPRINGFIELD -- Livingston County now has the option of taking control of the old Illinois State Police headquarters in Pontiac, which sits on the historic Route 66.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich approved a measure Thursday that gives the County Board the option of paying $10 for the building and nearby land.

State Sen. Dan Rutherford, the Chenoa Republican who sponsored the plan, said if the county decides to buy the gun-shaped building, local people who care about the site will have a chance to determine its future.

Now, the former headquarters is owned by the state. But it could be turned into a museum or similar attraction if local groups can raise the money to repair and maintain it.

“It’s going to take resources to upgrade this,” Rutherford said.

The building went up in 1941 and was recently put on the National Register of Historic Places. The Illinois State Police stopped using it in 2004.

The legislation is House Bill 768, and becomes law immediately because lawmakers already approved.

Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 6 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

WoW wrote on Aug 25, 2007 3:12 PM:

" I just can't see how all the people in Livingston Co. can let the heads of it make all the stupid money mistakes. You are all being TAXED out of your homes, Your kidds do not have any thing to do. Drugs are easy to get. The vermillion river is dry and full of crap. The Co. can't take care of what it owns now. The people who work for the Co. are just trying to get to the day when they don't have to hang there heads in shame Because of the job they do for so little pay, and now here we go again, Come on Liv. Co. Wake Up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

National Register of Historical Money Pits wrote on Aug 24, 2007 10:02 AM:

" State Senator Dan Rutherford also sponsored the "plan" whereby the now abandoned old county jail would go to the city of Pontiac in exchange for the city parking lot south of the courthouse.That's worked out real well hasn't it? They realized what a quagmire it is since the historial people want it preservered and now the county's had an abandoned building on Water St for almost 2 years; seems the board cumulatively has A.D.D. (attention deficit disorder) cause they don't finish any projects but continue to start more projects which will never get finished either. "

Local Taxpayer wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:18 AM:

" Has anyone actually LOOKED at this property lately??? As you will see, the State abandoned it. Graffetti is written all over the back of the building, grass and weeds overgrown, etc. I can only imagine the leaky, funky mess that's inside. The structure is a shables! Now someone wants to sink OUR local government money into this thing????!!!?? That's like somebody offering me a crappy 1981 sedan with 180,000 miles on it, "for only $10", ....as long as I tow it away for them. Excuse me???? No thanks! "

Huh? wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:41 AM:

" When did it become the county's responsibility to take care of the elderly? I got news for ya, if you're expecting some government agency to take care of you when you're old- you're pretty much screwed! "

Tell me V.T. wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:02 AM:

" How do you REALLY feel? "

Voting Taxpayer wrote on Aug 23, 2007 7:15 PM:

" Just what Livingston county needs something else for the county board to mess with instead of dealing with Livingston Manor ! Which has been on their agenda for longer than anyone can believe. Take Care of our elderly first. Maybe Sen. Rutherford should look into this! remember these people vote. LIVINGSTON COUNTY BOARD DOESN'T CARE HOW PEOPLE VOTE !!!! "
Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Lee Enterprises Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2008, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy