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Surplus to Success

About

The Surplus to Success program is an initiative to transform unused or underutilized state-owned properties into economic development assets. The program allocates $300 million to the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) for preparing select sites for redevelopment. By repurposing these surplus properties, the Surplus to Success program seeks to drive economic development, enhance community well-being, and optimize the use of state resources.

Key Programmatic Objectives

  • Site Remediation and Preparation: The program focuses on cleaning up and repurposing state-owned sites that are no longer in use, making them attractive for economic development.
  • Economic Revitalization: By transforming these properties, the initiative aims to stimulate economic growth, attract new businesses, and potentially generate billions in private investment.
  • Community Enhancement: Redeveloping these sites is expected to revitalize local communities, increase property tax revenues, and reduce maintenance costs associated with unused properties.

Facilities

Subject to available funds, the Surplus to Success program will target five high-priority properties: 

  • Dwight Correctional Center (160 acres)

  • Singer Mental Health Center in Rockford (100 acres)

  • Jacksonville Developmental Center (100 acres)

  • Lincoln Developmental Center (100 acres)

  • Shapiro Developmental Center unutilized land in Kankakee (87 acres). The Developmental Center will be unaffected.

Procurement

News and Announcements 

As updates about the program become available, they will be posted below.

  • October 15, 2026: The State of Illinois issued a Notice of Intent to Award to AECOM Services of Illinois, Inc., of Chicago, following a qualifications-based selection process. All firms that participated in interviews demonstrated impressive experience and qualifications. This achievement reflects the hard work and collaboration of the many individuals and partners who have helped advance S2S from an initial concept to an active redevelopment initiative. Less than two years after the program began as an idea, the State is one important step closer to preparing these properties for redevelopment and returning approximately 500 acres to productive use. The Notice of Intent to Award initiates a 14-day protest period, which runs through October 29, 2026. Assuming no protests are received, the State anticipates beginning negotiations with AECOM after the protest period closes. Because the procurement followed a qualifications-based selection process, firms were ranked solely on their qualifications. Final costs have not yet been established and will be determined through negotiations.
  • August 1, 2026: Architect and Engineering (A/E) Informational Roadshow: CMS was proud to present the Surplus to Success initiative during Infraday Midwest on July 20 in Chicago. CMS also held two informational roadshow sessions to introduce the project to the design and construction community. These sessions took place July 28 at the CMS Regional Complex in Springfield, and on July 30 at 555 W. Monroe St. in Chicago. To review the presentation from these sessions, click here.
  • June 26, 2026: The Illinois Department of Central Management Services has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for professional services supporting the Surplus to Success program. The project includes bridging for design-build related to demolition, environmental abatement, and site preparation at multiple unused or underutilized State-owned properties. To learn more about the RFP, visit: https://cdb.illinois.gov/procurement/bulletin/surplus-to-success.html

  • June 18, 2026: The Surplus to Success program reached a significant milestone with the issuance of a Notice of Intent to retain Architect/Engineer professional services for site preparation work across all five properties. This step moves CMS closer to selecting a qualified team to guide demolition, environmental remediation, and site readiness planning. All Phase II Environmental Site Assessments have been completed for the sites that required them. State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) archaeological field investigations are underway at the Shapiro Developmental Center, with survey work conducted in partnership with the University of Illinois – Prairie Research Institute. SHPO site assessments for other sites will begin in the coming weeks. 

  • May 5, 2026: CMS continues ongoing engagement with local leadership across S2S host communities through site-specific roundtables and working sessions. These engagements include representatives from CMS, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and the Illinois Economic Development Corporation (Illinois EDC), and are designed to align on site conditions, community priorities, and market readiness.
  • March 5, 2026: The Surplus to Success (S2S) Program continues advancing efforts to prepare five underutilized State properties for redevelopment. All sites have completed Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. Phase II assessments are in the final stages for Singer and are completed for Dwight, Lincoln, and Jacksonville. A Phase II was not required at the Shapiro site.

CMS is also coordinating required historic and archaeological surveys, with work expected to begin in the coming weeks. Additionally, 87 acres of unutilized land at the Shapiro Developmental Center have been transferred from the Department of Human Services to CMS to support future redevelopment. The active Developmental Center remains unaffected. 

  • December 16, 2025: The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) anticipates filing for future permit with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency with regard to the following Surplus to Success program sites: Dwight Correctional Center, Singer Mental Health Center, Jacksonville Development Center, and Lincoln Development Center. The project includes abatement and removal of all regulated materials and wastes, and demolition of all remaining above ground components and below ground components (for example, including but not limited to, utility conveyances, footings, steam tunnels, all foundations, aboveground storage tanks, electrical systems, and gas lines) but excluding roadways and parking lots. Under the Illinois State Agency Historic Resources Protection Act (Public Act 86-707; 20 ILCS 3420), the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office has determined that the project will result in an adverse effect to the sites mentioned above, which has been determined eligible under Criteria A-Medical/Social History, and C-Architecture. As a result, CMS is identifying organizations with an interest in the project and its effects to the aforementioned sites that may wish to participate as consulting parties in the resolution of the adverse effect. Any requests to become a consulting party can be submitted via email to CMS.SurplusToSuccess@illinois.gov by December 22, 2025.

  • August 18, 2025: Environmental assessments are underway at all sites.

Contact Us

Interested in working with us as a vendor or contractor? Send us an email at cms.surplustosuccess@illinois.gov.