Hastings proposes plan to cover cost of new Will County Courthouse

SPRINGFIELD – The Will County Courthouse as seen a dramatic rise in cases as the population in Will County continues to increase. Eight new judges were recently approved for hire by the Will County Chief Judge. Unfortunately, there is no room to house the new hires.  

State Senator Michael Hastings (D–Tinley Park) supported a proposal to help cover the costs associated with building a new courthouse in Will County.

House Bill 5889 allows the Will County Board, by ordinance, to impose a judicial facilities fee to be used for building a new courthouse Due to an increase in populations the number of court cases has increased.

The proposal is calling for a judicial fee of no more than $30 in order to build new facilities. This fee would be tacked on to cases and would be determined by the nature of the case.

“This has become a safety issue as the current courthouse has become overcrowded and is not structurally designed to handle the number of people in it each day,” Hastings said. “Makeshift courtrooms have been constructed out of hallways and floors have buckled.  It is imperative that something be done because our judicial system must function efficiently for the taxpayers and residents in Will County.”