By Marney Simon | Bugle Staff
Will County’s new state of the art courthouse has reached a new phase in construction.
Dozens of representatives from local and county government joined laborers to celebrate the topping off ceremony at the new courthouse on Friday, Oct. 19. The ceremony marked a milestone in the construction process, as one of the last steel beams was hoisted to the top of the new building and secured into place.
Members of the City Council, the Will County Board, labor, Gilbane Construction, and Wight and Company signed the beam before it was lifted to the top of the 10-story, $215 million Will County Courthouse.
The milestone signifies the completion of the steel structure for the 370,000 square foot facility.
A beam signed by construction workers and local dignitaries is raised to the top of the new Will County Courthouse during a special topping off ceremony on Friday, Oct. 19. (Photo by Marney Simon)
The new courthouse will hold 38 courtrooms, offices for the Will County Clerk of the Circuit Court, and standard judicial building features including enhanced security, operational efficiency and sustainability.
Will County Executive Larry Walsh said the new building is part of the county’s largest capital projects campaign in its history which also includes the new public safety complex and a planned new health department.
“These projects are being completed with local labor, which is helping our local economy,” Walsh said. “This remarkable structure will be a focal point for downtown Joliet and will encourage more economic development. We appreciate the support we have received from the city of Joliet. Will County is committed to Joliet as our county seat. We are proud to be part of the revival of downtown Joliet.”
Joliet Councilwoman-at-large Jan Quillman noted the milestone as a day to remember for both the county and the city.
“This is an amazing day. It’s hard to believe that we were just here 280 days ago and what an accomplishment that we’re finally here with the final beam of this huge, beautiful courthouse,” she said.
Quillman also thanked the Will County Board for reinvesting in the city of Joliet and labor for their hard work on the project.
“This new courthouse and the eventual reopening of Chicago Street will not only be an economic boost for the city of Joliet, but also for the county as well,” Quillman said. “It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you all work together, because we are better together.”
Chief Judge Richard Schoenstedt said he’s watched the progression of the new building from the window in his chamber in the current courthouse, and lauded labor for all their hard work on the site.
“This is one more great day of many as we await the arrival of the new courthouse. Today we celebrate the topping of the building, where today Iron Workers Local 444 will place one of the last steel beams on the 10th floor, our top floor,” Schoenstedt said. “I want to take a moment specifically to thank the real workers on this site who, with their time, talent and sweat are creating a beautiful courthouse that will be a centerpiece of downtown Joliet in the county seat of Will County.”
Schoenstedt said the building has already received national attention and has won a national award for its forward-thinking design. Laborers have already worked more than 115,000 safe hours on the site.
“This is a building for our people, built by our people, and one that our residents will be proud of,” the judge said.
The county broke ground on the building in December 2017. The building is slated for completion in 2020.