Will County Board Graphic.03

Veterans Assistance Commission Buildout Complete, Body Scanner Installed at Juvenile Center

Spread the love

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026

Article Summary: The Will County Facilities Department announced the successful completion of the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) building renovations and the installation of a new full-body scanner at the River Valley Justice Center.

Facilities Update Key Points:

  • The VAC buildout at 1300 Copperfield is officially complete, and staff have moved in.

  • A new full-body scanner was successfully installed in the visitation area of the River Valley Justice Center.

  • The Facilities Department completed over 550 work orders in March, averaging $15 per order with a 98% on-time completion rate.

  • Will County met its 100% Demand Response energy reduction goal for peak shaving.

The Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, received an extensive operations update from the Facilities Department, highlighting the completion of a major renovation and significant security upgrades.

Director of Facilities William Fern and Ken Rogalski presented the April 2026 Facilities Update, announcing that the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) buildout at 1300 Copperfield is fully complete. The project included a total roof replacement, glass replacement, and interior space renovations. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held recently, and staff have officially moved into the owned facility, successfully eliminating another county lease.

Security and safety upgrades were also a major focus for the month. Rogalski reported the successful installation of a new full-body scanner in the visitation area of the River Valley Justice Center (3200 W McDonough St).

“It was like a two-day project. It turned out really good,” Rogalski noted.

Additionally, Life Safety Specialist Aaron Kozlowski has been touring county buildings to update emergency evacuation plans and conduct CPR and AED training. The county’s Finance Department recently completed the life-saving training, and “Stop the Bleed” classes are scheduled to begin soon.

In general maintenance news, the Facilities Department completed over 550 work orders in March, representing over 300 hours of labor. The department maintained a highly efficient average cost of $15.00 per work order and achieved a 98% on-time completion rate. Rogalski also highlighted that the county successfully hit its 100% Demand Response energy reduction goal for summer peak shaving electrical curtailment.

The committee also took a moment to honor Facilities Team member Dan Shields, who recently celebrated his 35th anniversary working for Will County.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Arrests made during operation targeting India-based gangs

Arrests made during operation targeting India-based gangs

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square An international crackdown on India-based organized crime gangs has resulted in 24 arrests in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Eleven of the defendants are in...
Seven more counties consider separation, creating new state

Seven more counties consider separation, creating new state

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square0 – Voters in seven Illinois counties have a chance to join 33 others that approved referendums to consider...
DHS: Minnesota pardon could 'thwart' deportation of criminal illegal

DHS: Minnesota pardon could ‘thwart’ deportation of criminal illegal

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is criticizing Minnesota’s Board of Pardons after it issued a pardon for a criminal illegal immigrant ahead of his...
Democratic attorneys general oppose latest round of tariffs

Democratic attorneys general oppose latest round of tariffs

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square California Attorney General Rob Bonta is co-leading a coalition to oppose the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974....
Illinois Quick Hits: Indiana governor touts True Value move from Illinois

Illinois Quick Hits: Indiana governor touts True Value move from Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Do it Best Group says relocating its True Value hardware headquarters from Chicago to Do It Best’s...
Dem leaders want transparency, unsure if ethics report will be released

Dem leaders want transparency, unsure if ethics report will be released

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After state Rep. Harry Benton stepped down from his seat after findings in an ethics investigation, top...
Flash index shows rising tax receipts in Illinois

Flash index shows rising tax receipts in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois income tax and sales tax receipts are up for the fiscal year that ended on June...
Illinois Quick Hits: Aqua seeks water rate hike

Illinois Quick Hits: Aqua seeks water rate hike

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Another Illinois utility wants to raise rates on consumers. The Citizens Utility Board said a proposed $26.5...
Pritzker signs AI regulation critics say harms innovation, ‘picks winners’

Pritzker signs AI regulation critics say harms innovation, ‘picks winners’

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation Monday that he and lawmakers said intends to provide new protections...
500-plus fugitives arrested across two states

500-plus fugitives arrested across two states

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than 400 fugitives have been arrested in Illinois, and another 117 in Missouri, over the last...
Illinois Quick Hits: Woman sentenced for voting twice

Illinois Quick Hits: Woman sentenced for voting twice

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Hoopeston woman has been sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay a $2,500...

Embattled state lawmaker resigns after investigation into ‘unethical’ behavior

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After two days of calls for his resignation by Democrat leaders, embattled Illinois state Rep. Harry Benton,...
New statewide tenant law signed; Chicago seeks to push further

New statewide tenant law signed; Chicago seeks to push further

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law into effect that lawmakers say intends to increase renter protections...
Illinois Quick Hits: 179 charged in 'badgeless' federal enforcement

Illinois Quick Hits: 179 charged in ‘badgeless’ federal enforcement

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros says 179 people have been charged in...
Poll: Voters more likely to support GOP over Trump

Poll: Voters more likely to support GOP over Trump

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Republican voters are more likely to identify themselves as supporters of the party itself rather than supporters of President Donald Trump, results of a new...