Board Approves $440,000 Architect Fee Increase for Campus Master Plan

February 9, 2026/Newspaper Staff/

LLCC Board of Trustees Meeting | December 15, 2025

Article Summary: The LLCC Board of Trustees approved a modification to the agreement with Demonica Kemper Architects, increasing fees by $440,000. The additional funds cover expanded design scopes for renovations to Sangamon Hall and Menard Hall as part of the college’s Master Plan Implementation.

Master Plan Key Points:

Fee Increase: The contract with Demonica Kemper Architects was modified to include an additional $440,000 for architectural, engineering, and abatement services.
Expanded Scope: The modification addresses additional renovations required for The Learning Center (library) on the first floor of Sangamon Hall and mechanical controls upgrades.
Timeline: Bidding for Phase A3 (Sangamon Hall) is expected in early 2026, with construction on various phases extending through 2028.

SPRINGFIELD — The scope of renovations at Lincoln Land Community College’s main campus is expanding, prompting the Board of Trustees to approve a $440,000 increase in architectural fees on Monday, December 15, 2025.

The board voted to modify the existing agreement with Demonica Kemper Architects (DKA). The additional funds will cover unforeseen design and engineering work for the Master Plan Implementation Phase A3, specifically regarding renovations to Sangamon Hall.

According to board documents, the original scope for the first floor of the library, now named The Learning Center (TLC), required adjustments. Recent realignments of services necessitated changes to the layout, additional service desks, and student study areas.

The fee increase also covers design work for protection, health, and safety projects and mechanical controls upgrades in Sangamon Hall.

The construction timeline provided to the board indicates a multi-year process. Bidding for Phase A3 is set for early 2026. Subsequent phases involving Menard Hall (Phases B and C) are scheduled for bidding in late 2026 and construction through 2028.

Latest News Stories

Coordinating Committee March Meeting

HELP Safety Committee Formed to Lower PremiumsThe Coordinating Committee on January 29 formalized the creation of a new HELP Safety Committee. Initiated by County Board Administration and Treasurer Nikki Lohman,...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield Community Unit School District #12 Board of Education for March 19, 2026

Litchfield Community Unit School District #12 Board of Education Meeting | March 19, 2026 The Litchfield Community Unit School District #12 Board of Education met on Thursday, March 19, 2026,...

FBI: Illinois’ cyber crime losses reached $535M in 2025

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The FBI Internet Crime Report for 2025 ranks Illinois fifth in the U.S. for cyber crime complaints...

Minnesota, Illinois AGs challenge federal orders to keep coal plants running

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is challenging the Trump administration over orders requiring coal-fired power plants in Indiana to remain open past their planned retirement...

FBI finds Americans lose billions to cryptocurrency scams

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans lost more than $20 billion to cryptocurrency and other online scams in 2025, a 26% increase over the year before, according to the latest...

Illinois lawmakers seek to regulate, tax prediction markets amid federal lawsuit

By Sean ReedThe Center Square Illinois may soon allow prediction markets to operate in the state, but lawmakers and the federal government are at odds with how they want it...

Report: Teacher’s union gives nearly 2M to org that trains for May Day protests

By Tate MillerThe Center Square An education group has uncovered that teacher’s union the National Education Association has given nearly two million dollars in donations since 2020 to an organization...

Illinois Quick Hits: Downtown Chicago office vacancies hit another record high

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Downtown Chicago’s office vacancy rate has risen to a record high for the 15th consecutive quarter. Crain’s...

Trump issues dire warning to Iran as deadline looms

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” President Donald Trump warned the Iranian regime as the clock ticks toward the...

Report: Iran, inflation concern small businesses

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. small businesses reported reduced spending and hiring amid concerns over military strikes against Iran and looming inflation data, according to a new report. The...

U.S.-Israel-Iranian conflict escalating global energy, supply chain crisis

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The U.S.-Israel led attack against Iran continues to impact the global oil supply by cutting off Persian Gulf crude production and distribution. It’s not only...

Montgomery County Bldg Grounds Committee

Buildings & Grounds Committee Recommends HVAC Maintenance Pacts, Hears Property Grievances

Montgomery County Buildings and Grounds Committee | March 2026 Article Summary: The Montgomery County Buildings and Grounds Committee approved scheduled maintenance agreements for key courthouse HVAC equipment while facing public...

Trump endorses Hilton in California gubernatorial primary

By Dave MasonThe Center Square President Donald Trump has endorsed former Fox News anchor Steve Hilton in California’s Republican gubernatorial primary. Trump picked Hilton over the other prominent GOP candidate...

Feds award $1M for Rose Bowl upgrade ahead of Olympics

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Rose Bowl is getting infrastructure upgrades ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics. Just over $1 million in federal funds will go toward water and...

Trump defends Section 122 in latest tariff legal challenge

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's administration defended his newest 10% global entry tariffs against a legal challenge in a trade court. The administration said that Trump acted...