Illinois Conference Administration Explores Office Relocation

Matthew Lucio
23 hours ago
2 min read

Matthew J. Lucio

Assistant to the President for Communication

The Illinois Conference administration proposed relocating the Conference office to a joint meeting of the Illinois Conference Executive and Association Committees (EACOM) on January 27, 2026, where the measure was overwhelmingly approved.

EACOM was informed regarding the history of the Illinois Conference office and some of the challenges of remaining in Willowbrook. The office has been in Willowbrook since 1998, when it relocated from Brookfield after 60 years. The Willowbrook move initially came with a tenant, which justified such a large building. After the tenant left over a decade ago, a previous administration began exploring an exodus. This search was put on hold due to market conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent, unsolicited interest in the building indicates that the market might finally be ready for relocation.

The second Illinois Conference Office in Brookfield when it was new, c. 1954. By 1990, it needed extensive repairs, prompting the Conference to eventually move to the present Willowbrook office.

President John Grys outlined the search guidelines which would shepherd the search for a new building. These include maintaining a Chicagoland location, plenty of parking, a purchase with no debt, and more.

“Our goal as a Conference is to maximize mission in our churches, schools, and the lives of our members,” Elder Grys stated. “While our office building in some ways represents our Conference family, the size and cost of any building should not get in the way of supporting our mission.”

EACOM has authorized the administration to “pursue the possibility of seeking to sell the conference office property.” If such a property is identified and is in harmony with search guidelines, it will be brought to the Executive Committee (EXCOM). EXCOM may then recommend the calling of a special constituency meeting as the final step before any relocation can happen. This special constituency session would be called and then convened no sooner than six weeks later. During that time, administration would hold a series of town halls to brief delegates and answer any questions.

NEXT STEPS

Please keep the Illinois Conference Administration and Executive Committee in your prayers as they explore the possibility of relocating the Conference office.

Please send any news items of what God is doing around the Illinois Conference to communication@ilcsda.org.