By Jennifer Keiper, WLS-AM News

(CHICAGO)  After a two year renovation, the Illinois Governor’s mansion will reopen to the public on July 14.  Nearly $15 million dollars in private donations has been used to pay for repairs to the Springfield mansion which First Lady Diana Rauner says were badly needed.  “So, when we moved in, in 2015, we literally had buckets across the place protecting the house and there was really mold coming up the walls,” said Mrs. Rauner.

The mansion was built in 1855 and Mrs. Rauner says, before this latest facelift, the last time it was restored was 1972.  “Bruce and I, when we came in we made a promise to the people of Illinois that we would restore this mansion and live in it and we would do it with private dollars and we have,” said Mrs. Rauner.

The governor’s mansion will reopen with a new roof, HVAC system, will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and will have a visitors center with tours 7 days a week.

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