Today's sixth Illinois State Capitol was built between 1868 and 1888. The cost of construction was $4,500,000. The building was given a cruciform floor plan. It is 81.70 m wide and 116 m long. The zinc-covered central dome tower rises above the crossing. At 350 feet (110 m) tall, it is the tallest non-skyscraper State Capitol, towering even over the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. (88m). A City of Springfield policy states that no city building may be taller than the State Capitol.
The interior of the dome features a frieze at the base depicting Illinois' history. It is made of plaster, but the painting makes it look like bronze. The stained glass skylight features the historic Illinois seal. During construction, a future installation of elevators was taken into account.
The Illinois Congress meets in the Capitol. It is bicameral (Illinois House of Representatives/118 members and Illinois Senate/59 members)
In the surrounding green area there are several monuments, e.g. for Abraham Lincoln, who was involved in moving the capital to Springfield.