Old Will County Courthouse Makes Endangered Historic Place List

JOLIET, IL — The Will County Board and Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant have contemplated tearing down the old Will County Courthouse, which has been vacant since November 2020, but so far, that's a lot of talk, and no action by county officials.

On Wednesday, proponents of saving the 1969 four-story building in downtown Joliet received a huge boost of positive news. Landmarks Illinois announced the 2022 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois and the old Will County Courthouse made the list.

“The 2022 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois are prominent examples of how a lack of funding, planning, creative vision and political will to invest in our historic sites has a detrimental effect on our communities,” said Bonnie McDonald, President & CEO of Landmarks Illinois. “These endangered sites all have historic, cultural and economic value, and we want their preservation to serve as catalysts for hope and positive change. Demolishing or improperly redeveloping them would rob current and future generations of the chance to experience them and learn about their unique stories.”

Here is the write-up on the old Will County Courthouse, Joliet, Will County

"Built in 1969 and designed by Otto Stark of C.F. Murphy Associates in partnership with Krugel, Healy & Moore Architects, the Brutalist building is at risk of demolition due to Will County’s current lack of interest to explore reuse opportunities for the architecturally significant but vacant structure."

The following are the rest of the properties making the 2022 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois:

Century & Consumers Buildings - Chicago, Cook County

Two highly visible, early 20th-century commercial buildings at 202-220 S. State St., which sit within the National Register-listed Loop Retail Historic District, face demolition by the federal government. Previous redevelopment plans were halted due to security concerns by the adjacent federal courts, but demolition will leave a noticeable hole in the downtown State Street corridor.

Eugene S. Pike House - Chicago, Chicago County

The picturesque, late 19th-century home once used as a “Watchman’s Residence” for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County sits at the southern edge of the Dan Ryan Woods and is part of the National Register-listed Ridge Historic District. The house is vacant and deteriorating and needs an outside user and investor.

Elks Lodge No. 64 - Rockford, Winnebago County

A former community meeting space built in 1912, the architecturally significant but long-vacant structure faces demolition by neglect. The building, which serves as an important gateway to the West Downtown Rockford Historic District where revitalization and reinvestment is booming, requires emergency repairs as well as a rehabilitation and reuse plan.

Gillson Park - Wilmette, Cook County

A 60-acre, Prairie-style public park sitting along Lake Michigan that features naturalist landscapes and open space beloved by locals. However, the Wilmette Park District is considering changes to the 107-year-old park that would alter its passive design and remove greenery to add more roads and parking.

According to Wednesday's news release, the annual Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois is Landmarks Illinois’ largest and longest-running advocacy program, beginning in 1995. The annual list aims to boost advocacy efforts and build support for each property’s eventual preservation.

Sites included on the Most Endangered list are places that have been nominated by people in Illinois and evaluated by the Landmarks Illinois staff, board and regional advisors. Landmarks Illinois works with local advocates associated with each property to understand the historic/cultural significance of the sites and the preservation challenges it faces.

Once a property is included on the Most Endangered list, Landmarks Illinois remains committed to its preservation efforts, continuing communication and relationships with local advocates and elected officials to provide resources including small grants and connections where possible. In many cases, this has led to years- or decades-long relationships between local advocates and Landmarks Illinois. Staff at Landmarks Illinois can also serve as a link to pro bono services from other preservation professionals such as architects, engineers, historians and more.