Bishop Hill State Historic Site Renovation Update 11/19/25

I don’t have a ton to report, but I do have good news and bad news.

Bad news first: the project will be slightly delayed as CDB, IDNR, and JLK have to do some additional planning and design work. But this is because of the good news…

The good news: GOMB (The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget) has approved an additional $5 million for phase 1 of the Bishop Hill renovations. With the injection of additional funds we have to recalibrate what we are able to accomplish and some of the items that were probably going to be delayed until phase 2 can now be completed in phase 1. Like I said, this will cause a slight delay as we adjust our plans but the stabilization that was necessary for the Colony Church building has already taken place.

At the end of the day, we are in really good shape and the additional funding is truly the best-case scenario.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you – may your turkey be juicy and your potatoes mashed.

Jeff Nevins

He/him/his

Historic Sites Division Manager

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL  62702

Office: 217-785-9383

Cell: 217-299-3089

Email: Jeffrey.Nevins@illinois.gov