Kankakee, IL – In an innovative move to address the overcrowding at the Kankakee County Courthouse, local officials are considering the acquisition of a historic downtown building, previously home to a prominent newspaper, to repurpose it as a juvenile court facility.
The proposal emerged during a Wednesday morning meeting of the Kankakee County Criminal Justice Committee, where members voted to advance the idea to the Building and Grounds Committee for further evaluation. The discussion is set to continue at a meeting scheduled for 9 AM tomorrow.
The current courthouse dilemma involves a lack of adequate courtroom space to accommodate the county’s judicial needs, with more judges than available courtrooms. This imbalance has prompted county officials to seek alternative solutions to expand judicial services efficiently. The former newspaper building, with its rich historical significance and central location adjacent to the courthouse, presents a unique opportunity to meet these needs.
If the proposal gains approval, it could significantly alleviate the space constraints faced by the Kankakee County Courthouse, specifically by relocating the juvenile court system to the newly acquired building. This plan, however, is still in the early stages, and numerous logistical and financial considerations remain to be addressed.
