Destination Spotlight

Illinois State Capitol

The new Illinois State Capitol is where President Obama served three terms in the Illinois Senate. The building is the tallest non-skyscraper state capitol in the country, taller than the U.S. Capitol and the highest point in the city of Springfield. The centerpiece of the Statehouse is the stained glass dome which depicts an arcane version of the State Seal of Illinois. Here, the phrase “State Sovereignty” is placed above “National Union.” This is opposite of what now appears on the state seal.

Did you know?

• During the legislative session of 1877, 198 spittoons were located in the House chamber and 129 in the Senate.
• An eight-inch seam of coal was discovered during the excavation for the foundation of the building.  Several tons were mined and used to heat the construction headquarters on the site.
• Illinois Secretary of State, Henry Dement, was known to hunt pigeons from the roof of the Statehouse with a shotgun.

Links:

State Capitol