Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services
(CMS) announced Wednesday that the State of Illinois has received a donation of an office building at
912 Pentecost Road, Marion, Illinois, from a limited liability company managed by Bob Blettner of
the Blettner Group. The office building property, valued and recently appraised at $4.5 million, is
approximately 51,000 square feet, and can accommodate 400 employees. It is a Class A office
building in move-in condition, with many well-furnished areas, smart digital controls, energy
efficient HVAC and lighting, a backup generator, and the latest fiber optic service.
“Thanks to the generosity of Bob Blettner and the Blettner Group, the Illinois Department of
Children and Family Services is getting a new home in Marion—providing DCFS staff with a
modernized facility and streamlined operations,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This acquisition
will further allow DCFS staff to do the work that matters most: helping the children and families of
Illinois thrive. My administration has prioritized maintaining a real estate portfolio that is efficient,
sustainable, and cost-conscious—and this new office building furthers those efforts.”
The receipt of this property will allow the State the opportunity to provide upgraded facilities for
the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and one or more other State agencies.
Currently, DCFS has two facilities in the Marion area, and the donated property will offer much
improved space that will provide considerable operational savings and efficiencies. In addition,
CMS will seek to consolidate additional leases in the area resulting in a potential annual savings of
up to $1 million.
“This office space will have a positive impact on the families that we serve every day,” said Illinois
DCFS Director Marc D. Smith. “For families to receive the best outcomes it is critical that they feel
comfortable receiving services and engaging with our staff. We are very thankful for the Blettner
Group’s generosity.”
“Thanks to this generous donation, we will be able to save the taxpayers money while also
improving access to important State services for area residents,” said State Senator Dale
Fowler (R-Harrisburg). “Securing this state-of-the-art building is an opportunity that
doesn’t come around often. I appreciate the Pritzker Administration for making this a
priority and getting this deal done in time to make it a reality.”
“The generosity of The Blettner Group in donating this high-class facility will mean a more
comfortable environment for families interacting with DCFS and a more professional place
for the good people providing these services to work in,” said State Representative Dave
Severin (R-Benton). “DCFS is gaining a world-class facility. That will lead to better
outcomes for DCFS employees and families and children interacting with the agency.”
“It is heartening to see private and public entities cooperate in this way,” said State
Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis). “The transfer of this building will
mean better facilities for the professionals serving the needs of the people of the State of
Illinois. A world-class office building like this will improve outcomes for children and
families interacting with DCFS and provide public servants a professional environment
where they can succeed.”
“Any time we can improve the facilities that our partners at DCFS are using to provide better
services to families and children, I’m all for it,” said State Representative Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona). “In this case, a Class A office building is being donated to the state, and a building
otherwise not being used will be occupied by hard working people providing critical services
to our citizens. This is a win-win.”
Since the beginning of his administration, Governor Pritzker directed CMS to optimize the
State’s real estate portfolio and reduce operating expenses. CMS is responsible for the
management of over 800 leased and owned facilities throughout the State and is
continuously analyzing this portfolio to meet operational needs while maximizing
efficiencies.
CMS continues to realign the State’s real estate portfolio to maximize space utilization in
state-owned and leased properties. The effort to identify efficiency improvements and space
consolidation will result in a reduction of nearly 650,000 square feet of office space in
downtown Chicago alone, saving over $20M annually as a result of lowering operating costs
and terminating private high-cost leases.
In Springfield, the State is undertaking several capital projects to repurpose and consolidate
space including the renovation of the historic Illinois State Armory, which will maximize
space utilization by creating efficient and flexible office spaces for State’s operations while
incorporating green and sustainable strategies. State will also construct a new certified
Central Computing Facility to create a cutting-edge, Tier III data center to support the State’s
efforts to modernize and respond to evolving technology. The State will renovate the existing
data center structure, adopt the new space standards, and repurpose it for State operations.