Bill that passed Illinois Senate could resolve SHS project tangled in property dispute
A project allowing new offices, an auxiliary gym, and classrooms for Springfield High School is caught up in a dispute over the fair market value of two properties needed for the construction.
A bill advancing in the Illinois Senate would resolve the dispute in favor of Springfield Public Schools District 186.
Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, filed an amendment to Senate Bill 385 to allow the district's board of trustees to pursue quick-take eminent domain proceedings for the properties one year after the bill became law. The bill advanced to the Illinois House of Representatives Wednesday following a 44-12 vote in the Senate.
The procedure would allow for the property to be transferred to the school before compensating the owner in-full — a practice often used by state and local agencies to speed up construction projects.
The dispute involves vacant lots on 521 and 523 W. Monroe St. just south of Springfield High, owned by Springfield resident Joyce Downey since 1998, according to Sangamon County property records. Both lots would be part of the school's expansion.
Mike Grossen, district director of school leadership and facilities planning, said during a Senate Executive Committee meeting Tuesday that negotiations have stalled following several attempts. He said the district offered $69,000, considered the fair market value for the properties, but the owner wants more than $200,000.
Downey's attorney Michael Horstman did not return messages seeking comment.
The Springfield High School project is one several multi-year projects being pursued by District 186, funded by the 1% sales tax referendum passed by Sangamon County voters in 2018. The referendum nets the district an additional $10.1 million per year and has gone towards the renovation of several schools and Memorial Stadium.
Related: 'It's incredible:' Springfield District 186 opens newly renovated Memorial Stadium
Renovations to SHS are estimated to cost the district about $126 million and will also include a new entrance and cafeteria. Work is scheduled to start next summer on the 296,000 square feet project, where about 130,000 square feet will be in new additions. Completion is set for 2027.
The oldest high school in the district, Turner said on Wednesday that her bill allows for an essential project to proceed.
"As long as we cannot provide the students of Springfield High School with that (fundamental) educational experience, I think that we are doing them a significant disservice," she said.
While Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, a Springfield High grad supported Turner's bill, the same could not be said for the majority of his fellow party members.
Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Andalusia, argued the measure violated the landowner's property rights.
"To be able to take something just because the government says 'We want it,' is absolutely wrong," he said, one of 12 Republicans opposing the proposal.
The bill was one of two Turner-led bills to pass in the Senate on Wednesday, the other permitting some Department of Children and Family Services employees to use their work office address for an identification card.
Contact Patrick M. Keck: (312) 549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Bill allows District 186 to take land for Springfield High renovation
