Pictures of when the building was new make it look nearly tolerable. It was described as "modern" at the time which, in architectural terms, is nearly always a synonym for "ugly as sin."
Whatever the new building looks like, I know what it should be named. I want every legislator and General Assembly staffer who occupies the building to see the name of Senator Paul Simon at the start of each work day. Let's do away with the Governor who was indicted for illegal use of campaign funds (at least he was acquitted).
Simon had a test for ethical behavior in office. He said that he thought about how he would feel if whatever action he was taking wound up as a front page headline in a newspaper in his district. If he would feel ashamed of the headline, then he wouldn't do it.
That's what I want people who work in the new building to think about. Simon's reforming ways didn't make him the most popular member of the General Assembly among his colleagues, but he's still one of the most popular figures in Illinois politics. His modern day counterparts need to be reminded of who's held in high regard in history compared to the many forgotten legislators who went along to get along with a corrupt system.
This is an opportunity to leave behind an ugly building and symbolically leave behind an ugly tradition. It's time to stick legislative offices in the Paul Simon building, whether they like it or not.