Will County Takes Ownership of First Midwest Bank

Officials from First Midwest Bank passed the keys to Will County Executive Larry Walsh and Will County Board Capital Improvements Chair Denise Winfrey (center) Wednesday at a ceremony marking the transfer of the second, third, and fourth floors of the bank’s building at 50 W. Jefferson Street. Also pictured from left to right, front row: Joliet Mayor Tom Giarrante, Will County Board member Ragan Freitag, County Board Speaker Jim Moustis, and First Midwest Bank Joliet Banking Center President Jim Roolf. Second row: Chief Judge Richard Schoenstedt, County Board members Don Moran, Herbert Brooks, and Tom Weigel. Photo courtesy of the Will County Executive’s Office. Submitted by the office of Will County Executive Larry Walsh:

On Wednesday, Will County officials joined with leaders from First Midwest Bank to assume possession of the bank building upper floors at 50 W. Jefferson St. in downtown Joliet.

The county is planning to relocate some of its offices to the second, third, and fourth floors of the building and First Midwest will continue operations on the first floor until 2017.

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“This relationship with First Midwest Bank is a great example of another successful public private partnership in Will County,” said Will County Executive Larry Walsh. “This partnership will allow county government to remain in downtown Joliet and enhance our services to our constituents, while further consolidating our operations.”

Plans for the newly acquired space include the relocation of the sheriff’s operations which are currently in the Court Annex building, 57 N. Ottawa St., and the Eagle building, 20 W. Washington St., to the First Midwest building. This move is part of the county’s master plan for improving core downtown facilities which include the future construction of a new courthouse.

“This is another important step in the county’s comprehensive capital plan to consolidate, reduce expenses and plan for long-term needs,” said County Board Speaker Jim Moustis. “We look forward to continuing this process with the goal of more efficiently delivering services to our residents while also being a wise steward of the taxpayers’ dollars.”

First Midwest Bank president Jim Roolf said he is pleased the county decided to purchase the building which will allow for the bank to expand on its future plans.

“This is truly an exciting day for the County of Will, the City of Joliet, and First Midwest Bank,” said Joliet Banking Center President Jim Roolf. “This win/win situation addresses the County’s immediate needs as well as those of First Midwest and it positions the County and the Bank to strategically look forward to address our respective future needs.”

Will County plans to begin moving some of the sheriff’s operations into the building in early 2015.