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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 (70 acres). The Developmental Center will be unaffected.

News and Announcements 

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

  • August 18, 2025: Environmental assessments are underway at all sites.
  • June 4, 2025 Press Release: State of Illinois Highlights Historic $500 Million Investment in Site Readiness Following Balanced Budget Passage
  • 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. 

 

Contact Us

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