CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has finalized State agency office relocations in Chicago, continuing the administration's work to maximize space utilization in state-owned and leased properties and saving hundreds of millions of dollars for Illinois taxpayers. CMS began agency office relocation activities in April 2021 [table below], and many agencies have completed or nearly completed their move. These actions deliver on Governor Pritzker's principles to save taxpayers $800 million while also reducing overall energy consumption and promoting sustainability.
"The State of Illinois is leading the nation as an example of how states can reimagine their real estate portfolio," said Governor JB Pritzker. "We are working to make sustainability practical while reducing the total cost of operations and saving taxpayers millions of dollars. Since I took office, I've been focused on efforts to improve state agency efficiency, reduce our carbon footprint through space optimization, and ultimately, reinvest these savings into state infrastructure."
Governor Pritzker recently announced that the sale of the James R. Thompson Center at 100 West Randolph Street has reached another major milestone by executing the Purchase and Sale Agreement with JRTC Holdings, LLC. By 2024, the State will relocate over 3,000 employees in the Loop, terminating 6 private leases and reducing nearly 650,000 square feet of space in downtown Chicago alone, which will result in over $20 million in annual savings. The State's new workspaces in downtown Chicago, whether at the renovated James R. Thompson Center (JRTC), newly purchased 555 W. Monroe, or leases in public buildings will be modern, inviting, accessible, and reflective of the State's new space standards.
A critical component of the real estate optimization and energy reduction efforts was the establishment of the new space standards by CMS under this administration. These standards reduce the State's operational footprint between 20-40%, align the State with best practices in the market, yet do not compromise functionality of the State's workspaces. All new owned and leased spaces are subject to these space standards, and the anticipated savings will benefit the State and taxpayers for years to come.
"It is our responsibility to prioritize efficiency and sustainability wherever possible and to ensure that all State agencies have the foundation and support needed to reach a new level of service delivery," said CMS Director Janel L. Forde.
Prior to the sale, the JRTC was home to more than 2,100 State employees and 50 State agencies, boards, legislative offices, and commissions. Relocation of State offices to spatially and energy efficient facilities is significantly reducing the State's physical footprint as well as reducing the overall energy consumption.
In Springfield, the State is undertaking several capital projects to repurpose and consolidate space, including renovations of the historic Illinois State Armory and a new LEED certified Central Computing Facility to modernize and respond to evolving technology.
Finally, the State issued a new Request for Proposals for the supply of natural gas and services to analyze and improve facilities' consumption and efficiencies. A Request for Proposals to provide electricity supply for State facilities is expected to be issued by the end of 2022.
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