[size=2]The chandeliers are gone. So are paintings of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas.

Now, state lawmakers are waiting to approve next year's state budget before they too leave the House chamber for the summer.

Those are some of the necessary preparations underway before a four-year renovation of the state Capitol can begin in earnest.

The project has already started on the House side of the building, but construction workers must dodge lawmakers before most of the work can start.

The House has been in session for the past three weeks, flying past their original April 7 deadline for adjournment. The Senate has taken a two week vacation but is expected back Tuesday.

"We're trying to get as much done even though the session has gone a few days longer than anticipated so that the work can proceed and be done as quickly as possible and hopefully in time for the veto session," said Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.

The House will have three days after it adjourns to clear out the chamber before interior demolition begins, Brown said.

The project, the first major renovation of the Capitol since the 1970's, will cost about $20 million in its first phase. That's compared to the $4.5 million it cost to build the entire structure in the late 1800s - a time when Ulysses S. Grant was president and open windows provided air conditioning.

The first phase of the work includes removing asbestos and starting to replace the building's heating and air conditioning system.

Scaffolding is up and a temporary ventilation system is in place on the south end of the building. Some workers with offices in the south wing have been temporarily relocated.

Brown said the total cost of the project, which includes replacing the building's entire ventilation system, has yet to be determined.

Lawmakers dismissed concerns over the cost and timing of the project, saying the work is necessary.

"There have been a lot of things that have been placed in storage and need to come out," said state Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro. "We need to go ahead and get them in place and the upgrades need to occur."

Both the House and Senate chambers will be remodeled, with items like carpeting and chairs already having been purchased. Brown said planning for the project has been underway for five years, but it has been put off due to budget concerns.

Asbestos needs to be removed from the building's attic because it was put there in the 1970's as a fire prevention measure, Brown said.

However, asbestos has been found to cause lung cancer and is especially risky for smokers. It is most commonly found in older homes.

While removing the asbestos and the work on the heating and air conditioning system is being done, lawmakers figure it best to go ahead with plans to fix up the chambers.

"While the floor is torn up, it seems like a much reasonable time to do it rather than put everything back and tear it up," said Cindy Davidsmeyer, spokeswoman for Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago. "Frankly, things will not be less expensive in a few years."

Carpeting in the chambers is worn, and throughout the Capitol decorative trim was painted over or covered up during past renovations.

"The intent of a lot of the rehabilitation work that has gone on in the building in recent years has been to try and get things back to colors and designs from when the building was first built," Brown said.

Lawmakers have jokingly complained about their working conditions as the renovations begin. But until this session is wrapped up, they will have to live with working in a chamber that's missing some lighting and a few historical figures.

"As much as I joke and laugh about it, the reality is everything needs proper maintenance," Bost said. "Wear and tear occurs, but we hate to see Abe and Mr. Douglas gone as well."

[/size]