A recent study of the Illinois State Capitol Dome in Springfield, Illinois has discovered “some obvious flaws on the exterior of the dome,” including significant cracking "on all four compass points" where bracketed structures support the interior stone columns below the dome, The Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The French Renaissance and Italianate style Capitol complex was designed by Chicago architects John C. Cochrane and Charles O. Garnsey in 1868 and was completed in 1888.

Harl Ray, senior project manager for the Illinois secretary of state’s Department of Physical Services, is quoted by The Chicago Sun-Times as stating, “They are not worried. There is no structural failure. They’re just wanting to know what happened and why.” Ray added, “Those cracks look like they’ve been there for decades — a long, long time.” 

Chicago-based architects Bailey Edward are leading a preservation effort aimed at understanding and then correcting the problems, which include repairing open seams discovered along the dome's sheet metal panel cladding, among other issues. 

A final report from Bailey Edward is due in mid-January.