Latest news with #IllinoisBuilding
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sangamon County voters give thumbs up to referendum eliminating recorder
Sangamon County voters overwhelmingly approved a binding referendum that will transfer responsibilities from the recorder's office to the clerk's office. The shift is set to be carried out by Dec. 1, 2026. The question won by more than 2 to 1. More: Rare case: Both Republicans, Democrats in favor of eliminating this elected position County Republican and Democratic political parties both endorsed the measure which will eliminate the elected position of county recorder. A talked-about joint letter of support from the parties never materialized, though. All of the current jobs in the recorder's office will go to the clerk's office. Former Springfield Clerk Frank Lesko, who ran in November on the campaign slogan "Hire me, so you can fire me," claimed the merger of the two offices could save county taxpayers $250,000 annually. Reached on election night, Lesko said he wasn't surprised by the margin of victory. "Just meeting with people out in the cities, it seemed like to me it was something very accepted and people wanted to do," he said. "I wasn't totally surprised. I thought it was going to be a good, strong endorsement for the program." Lesko, a Springfield businessman and former city of Springfield clerk, said he wanted to save waste, noting that more than three-quarters of the counties had combined offices. "I felt this was a waste in government that needed to be corrected," he said. Speaking at the Illinois Building at the fairgrounds, David Vespa said he voted to eliminate office, noting it appeared to be an efficiency-type move. "I think cost savings is very important at this time with inflationary pressures and a lot of economic hardship for people," Vespa said. Vernon Wrest, also voting at the Illinois Building and John Majzel, voting at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, concurred on the cost savings. More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the State Journal-Register app "I felt it was a duplication of jobs that was not necessary," added Majzel, who has used the recorder's office in the past. At SHG, John Hayes said he considered the tax savings, but ultimately, it didn't sway him. "I don't think it's a good idea to dilute that function by merging it into another office where a lot of other activity is taking place," said Hayes, a retired attorney. "I'm not opposed to paying taxes if it improves service to citizens." Ida Day, standing outside of Triad Supply Corp., where she cast her ballot against the elimination of the office, said she has twice lost jobs in downsizing. "I can't see everyone going over to the (clerk's office)," Day said. "I'm not buying (it) saving the taxpayers money, either." Lesko said he is cross-training employees in the office so they will be ready to go next year. The recorder's office is the official land records depository for the county. Instruments filed with the office include deeds, mortgages, releases and assignments, property liens, as well as assorted federal, state and local liens. For full election results, click here. Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788: sspearie@ X, This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Sangamon County voters vote to eliminate recorder's office
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
After more than a decade, InterContinental opens downtown. See inside the luxury hotel
Step inside the first floor of the new InterContinental hotel in Indianapolis, and you're in the building's original lobby where golden accents transport guests back in time to the roaring 1920s when the Illinois Building first opened. But when you head up to the second-floor main lobby, you'll find a modern hotel housed in the historic Indianapolis building once at risk for demolition. Indianapolis-based developer Keystone Group bought the Illinois Building at the corner of Illinois and Market Streets in 2013, investing $110 million and promising to rejuvenate the languishing site. Now, 12 years later, the nearly century-old building opened to the public once again Monday as the first new luxury hotel in Indianapolis in nearly two decades. Keystone added an eleventh floor, which now serves as home to a penthouse suite with views of Monument Circle and a rooftop restaurant and bar. The hotel includes 170 guest rooms, some of which look out to the building's atrium, two restaurants and 5,000-square feet of event space for weddings, board meetings or other private events. The entire hotel pays homage to the city's creatives, with works by Indianapolis artists commissioned for the hotel in the lobby, hallways and guest rooms. Mini fridges stock snacks and drinks from local brands such as Just Pop In! and the South Bend Chocolate Company. More: Intercontinental sets winter opening date; 5 takeaways on the luxury hotel before it opens Alysa Guffey covers business and development for IndyStar. Contact her at amguffey@ This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: See inside the InterContinental, downtown's newest luxury hotel
