Illinois senators approve Springfield High School expansion plan

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Springfield High School could soon get a much needed upgrade thanks to a bill moving through the Illinois General Assembly.

Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) is the lead sponsor of a plan to allow District 186 to acquire the property at 521 and 523 W. Monroe Street to expand the high school.

Turner told senators Wednesday that the property is worth $60,000. Although, the trust company told the school district that they want over $200,000.

"Springfield High School is the oldest high school in the city," Turner said. "It needs a lot of renovations and new construction in order to bring it up to code in a lot of different areas."

District 186 plans to use roughly $126 million to build new offices, classrooms and a modern gym on the expanded property.

Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) said he is glad to support the proposal as a proud Springfield High School graduate.

"The school district really tried to make this work for an agreement," McClure said. "But that just did not work out. So, this is a situation where we have to improve this school. This is an essential bill at this moment to do that."

Senate Bill 385 passed out of the Senate on a 44-12 vote and now heads to the House for further consideration.