Take a look inside the Governor's Mansion after its $15 million renovation

Take a look inside the Governor’s Mansion after its $15 million renovation

By Associated Press

Looking up the entryway to the newly renovated Illinois Governor’s Mansion. Provided photo.

Illinois’ renovated Governor’s Mansion has reopened with Gov. Bruce Rauner and his wife, Diana, welcoming guests to the Springfield landmark.

Rauner is calling the reopening of the mansion Saturday a “great day for the state of Illinois.” He said he and the state’s first lady are “excited to invite the people of Illinois back to this historic facility.”

A privately funded, roughly $15 million renovation began in early 2015. It included installing a new roof, HVAC system and entrance. Work also was done to ensure the mansion complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The mansion now has a new visitor center. Guests also may view artwork and several exhibits, including one on Illinois life during the Civil War.

The building was constructed in 1855 and is the third-oldest state governor’s residence in the U.S.

The mansion is now open for daily public tours.

Gov. Bruce Rauner and first lady Diana Rauner stroll to the front gate of the Illinois Governor’s Mansion before a celebratory ceremony to mark the reopening in Springfield, Ill., Saturday, July 14, 2018. Illinois’ renovated Governor’s Mansion has reopened with Gov. Bruce Rauner and his wife, Diana, welcoming guests to the Springfield landmark. (Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP)

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Protesters are herded toward Second Street by security officials after disrupting the grand reopening of the Illinois Governor’s Mansion in Springfield, Ill., Saturday, July 14, 2018. Illinois’ renovated Governor’s Mansion has reopened with Gov. Bruce Rauner and his wife, Diana, welcoming guests to the Springfield landmark. (Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP)

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First lady Diana Rauner opens the door to the Illinois Governor’s Mansion with her husband Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and their dog Stella during a grand reopening celebration in Springfield, Ill., Saturday, July 14, 2018. Illinois’ renovated Governor’s Mansion has reopened with Gov. Bruce Rauner and his wife, Diana, welcoming guests to the Springfield landmark. (Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP)

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Guests and visitors line up to go inside during the grand reopening of the Illinois Governor’s Mansion on East Jackson Street in Springfield, Ill., Saturday, July 14, 2018. Illinois’ renovated Governor’s Mansion has reopened with Gov. Bruce Rauner and his wife, Diana, welcoming guests to the Springfield landmark. (Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP)

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Guests and visitors make their way up the spiral grand staircase during public tours at the grand reopening of the Illinois Governor’s Mansion on East Jackson Street in Springfield, Ill., Saturday, July 14, 2018. Illinois’ renovated Governor’s Mansion has reopened with Gov. Bruce Rauner and his wife, Diana, welcoming guests to the Springfield landmark. (Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP)

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