Public Higher Education Bulletin

This notice is published in accordance with 30 ILCS 500/25-15(b) or 44 ILL. Admin. Code 4.1525.

The Illinois Secretary of State?s intent to execute a new lease agreement with the current landlord; 17 North State LLC, an Illinois Limited Liability Company. This lease continuation has been deemed to be in the best interest of the State and considered exempt from purchasing rules in compliance with the Illinois Procurement Code. The Office of the Secretary of State currently leases Forty-Four Thousand Two Hundred Forty- Two (44,242) square feet of office space located at on multiple floors of the building located at 17 N. State St., Chicago, IL, 60602. This space houses multiple departments involving various operations critical to the Secretary of State and the public. There are approximately 160 employees working within the building which includes the following departments: Administrative Hearings, BAIID, CPSC, Driver Services, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Audit, Personnel, and Vehicle Services. These offices are configured to the special needs of each operation. In order to move these operations many aspects must be considered. First, the actual physical move of employees, equipment, furniture and supplies can be estimated at this time to cost $100,000. The cost to relocate the phone system would run approx. $35,000, computer cabling, and reconfiguration would cost approx. $100,000. A build to suit for these departments would cost in excess of $1,600,000 - $1,900,000 in addition to the base rent, taxes, utilities, etc. Various publications which include the current location would require reprinting which would also involve a sizeable cost to the Secretary of State. The current public services being provided are essential in the geographical area. A disruption in these services would cause a major disruption of state services. The costs that would be incurred in the event of a move would be prohibitive when weighted against maintaining the existing facility. Competitive bidding, selection, contract negotiation and build to suit and move of this magnitude would take 10 to 12 months and disrupt these services which would have a direct impact on the public and the services provided to them. The location is well known to the public. The premises are secure and provide ample parking. The location is ideal and costs per square foot are within reason and currently in line of the fair market value for this geographical area. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the State to continue the above mentioned lease.