Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Springfield Capitol has been closed to visitors. Even when senators returned to conduct business beginning in January of this year, residents were kept out of the building to help prevent the spread of the virus. As rules relaxed and the State of Illinois finally reached Phase 5 (full reopening) of Gov. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois Plan, visitors were still banned from entering the Capitol and the Stratton Building. On June 15, Senate Republicans learned the Capitol and its accessory buildings will finally reopen to visitors on June 21.