Jacksonville Center for the Arts signs option to purchase Illinois Theater
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In furtherance of its quest to create a multipurpose civic center with performing arts capabilities, the Jacksonville Center for the Arts Board has recently signed an exclusive option to purchase the historic Illinois Theater from owners Mark and Emily Hughes.
“The Illinois Theater is iconic. It is historic. It is a jewel in the crown of the Square,” said Larry Kuster, JCA board president. “The JCA vision, besides restoring the building, is about creating and sustaining a hub to help fill an identified amenities gap in our community. The vision is to attract people to come here not only for entertainment, but to see our community as a great place to live and work. The vision is to build a state-of-the-art civic center with live streaming capability to bring events from around the world to our doorstep.”
Due to a short timetable for action under the agreement’s terms, JCA has begun sharing information about the project with past and prospective donors, and is laying the groundwork for a community campaign. The goal is to raise $8.8 million – the estimated cost of the transformation from movie theater to a multifunctional facility that supports arts, education, special events and more – by mid-November 2025.
The JCA board, having recently completed a use and financial sustainability analysis, has taken the path of restoration and repurposing a well-known venue rather than pursuing new construction based upon feedback received during community engagement sessions. The in-depth study, supplemented by surveys and extensive interviews with potential users, indicates that the community can sustain a civic center. Further, it shows that such a project will support the local economy, building upon the ongoing community renaissance, and strengthen Jacksonville’s appeal as both a destination for visitors and an attractive home for businesses and their employees, according to the JCA Board.
More information about this transformative project can be found on the JCA’s website jacksonvilleartscenter.com, by contacting board members Larry Kuster, Gary Mather, Drew Snodgrass, Mary Fergurson, Cathy Randall, Rich Basden, Gene Fergurson, Katie McDannald, and Pam Martin, or by emailing JCA at [email protected].
For additional information about the project, please contact Larry Kuster, 217/370-8637.
