East Central Reporter

Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Champaign) announced the transfer of the Lawrenceville armory to the city in a June 30 news release. Ownership will revert to the state if the city decides at any time that it doesn't want to own the armory in the future.

“This building is a symbol of the service and sacrifices of the brave heroes who trained there to defend our country," Rose said in the press release. "When the city expressed interest in taking over the facility, I was honored to work to make this happen in the Senate, so that this building can continue to serve the people of Lawrenceville into the future," Rose said.

House Bill 1920 was sponsored by Rose in the Senate, and by Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis) and Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit (D-Aurora) in the House. It was first brought up in the House and moved to the Senate on March 27. The bill was sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker to sign on June 9, and was signed into law on June 30. The bill authorizes the Illinois Department of Military Affairs to convey the armory to the City of Lawrenceville effective upon the governor's signature.

“The City of Lawrenceville is looking forward to transitioning the Armory to a recreational facility that will benefit all of our citizens. We are grateful to Senator Rose for his leadership in making this possible," Mayor David Courtney said in the news release.

The Daily Record reported in March 2022 that the Lawrenceville Armory was slated to close, and in January of that year, the city of Lawrenceville was given the opportunity to take over the building. The agreement between the city and state says that the city is not allowed to transfer or sell the property. If it decides the building doesn’t suit its needs, it must be returned to state control.

Rose has represented the the 51st Senate District since 2013. He previously served  in the House of Representatives. He is currently the minority spokesperson for the Appropriations- Education Committee, and a member of the Insurance, Judiciary, and Transportation committees, according to his official biography on his Senate web page. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with an emphasis in economics, from the University of Illinois, and attended the University of Illinois College of Law. He was a Senior Assistant State’s Attorney in Champaign County.