State Agency Moves From Thompson Center

CHICAGO-An office in the James R. Thompson State of Illinois Center would seem to be an ideal location for the office of the State Appellate Defender. However, the agency has leased 35,074 sf two blocks away at 203 N. LaSalle St. in a move prompted by additional funding.

The agency was forced to find efficient and cost-effective space in the wake of the state getting money in April to expand its staff from 30 to 100 attorneys, brokers from Julien J. Studley, Inc. explain.

Executive vice president John Goodman and managing director Andrew Kelly represented the State Appellate Defender’s office while Jack O’Brien of M&J Wilkow represented building ownership, which is a partnership between M&J Wilkow, General Electric and Cargill.

In an unrelated lease deal at 221 N. LaSalle St., Vernof, Schwartz & Co. has taken 1,723 sf in the 375,000-sf building. The company was represented by Equis Corp. vice president of transaction management Barry Bass and associate broker David Fleming. Building owner Lurie Co. represented itself.