SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura advanced legislation that passed both chambers on Friday to address surplus state-owned properties by curating a report on its condition.

“We have an obligation to address the numerous state-owned properties that have either been vacant or unused, which in turn wastes taxpayer dollars through maintenance and security costs,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This legislation will give us insight into each property’s maintenance and demolition costs to consider what to do with them in the future.”

Senate Bill 381 would require the Director of the Department of Central Management Services to assess surplus real property held by the State and determine whether or not the property is unsellable in its current condition.

Additionally, the director is required to submit a report, beginning on Feb. 1, 2025 and every other year, detailing the assessment to the governor and General Assembly. The report will include the annual state maintenance costs for said properties and attempts to sell the properties as well as the estimated demolition and remediation costs at the time of the last attempted sale.

“The state has numerous abandoned buildings that have become nothing but hazardous nuisances that are also eyesores for the communities where they are located,” said State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield). “This will provide transparency on the conditions, issues, and costs that are associated with these properties, as well as provide accountability for the messes that have been created in these communities by the state.”

The Senate concurred to Senate Bill 381 on Friday. It now heads to the governor for further consideration.