Copper doors for Illinois lawmakers and lobbyists come with $669,608 price tag

Extravagant doors designed by world class architects, coated in brilliant copper, no doubt would catch the eyes of many, but in Illinois they’re drawing attention for a whole different reason. Wasting money is nothing new regarding Illinois government, but the lavish new doors appearing on the state Capitol building are garnering some increasingly negative attention....

Extravagant doors designed by world class architects, coated in brilliant copper, no doubt would catch the eyes of many, but in Illinois they’re drawing attention for a whole different reason.

Wasting money is nothing new regarding Illinois government, but the lavish new doors appearing on the state Capitol building are garnering some increasingly negative attention. As part of a $50 million renovation project of the state Capitol, it recently was discovered that the newly installed front doors are costing taxpayers $669,608.

A cynic might point out that the public mainly uses the east and north entrances. The west entrance (where the copper doors are located) — that’s for legislators and lobbyists.

Imperial Woodwork Co. was contracted for this particular project. This company is known for creating grandiose architectural masterpieces such as the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. These new over-the-top copper doors are a perfect representation of the disconnect between Springfield politicians and Illinois’ fiscal realities.

With government pension debt to the tune of hundreds of billions, an unemployment rate well above the national average and $8 billion in unpaid bills, Illinois residents should be asking how decadent doors on government buildings take precedence.

Illinois politicians need to get their priorities straight.