Illinois State Capitol

What is Illinois State Capitol?

The capitol blends French Renaissance and Italianate styles. Its footprint forms a cross with four wings of equal length, and a tall central rotunda carries the dome. A zinc alloy sheathes the dome and tower roofs, keeping a silvery look without weathering or corroding, fitting for a state that once mined plenty of zinc in the 1700s and 1800s.

Inside are the chambers of both houses of the General Assembly, the governor's ceremonial office, other executive offices, and offices and meeting rooms for legislators and staff.

History of Illinois State Capitol

This is the sixth building to serve as the Illinois capitol since statehood in 1818. Work began on March 11, 1868; the legislature started meeting here in 1876, though the building was not finished until twenty years after the groundbreaking, at a total cost of about 4.5 million dollars. The design came from Cochrane and Garnsey, a Chicago firm, working with architect Alfred H. Piquenard.

Visiting Illinois State Capitol: tips

The capitol stands about 0.9 mile off the old road. It is a working government building, so check the official site for visitor access before planning to go inside. The dome makes a good photo from the surrounding streets, especially from a block or two away where the whole cross-shaped mass fits in the frame. The Illinois State Museum is about 0.1 mile away, and the Jennings Ford Automobile Dealership and the Fred Gottschalk Grocery Store are each about 0.2 mile, so it anchors an easy walk.