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

Press Plus

District 114 to Overhaul Policy Updates with New ‘Press Plus’ Service

Article Summary: Manhattan School District 114 is moving forward with Press Plus, a service from the Illinois Association of School Boards designed to streamline and modernize the updating of its...
lincoln way school district 210 logo.2

Lincoln-Way Board Weighs Community Solar Program Promising $155,000 in Annual Savings

Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way District 210 board is considering a 20-year agreement to participate in a state-sponsored community solar program that could save the district an estimated $155,000 annually on electricity...
WCO 2025-09-27 at 9.04.56 AM

Will County Reverses Zoning on Peotone Farmland to Facilitate 10-Acre Sale

Article Summary: The Will County Board unanimously approved a request to rezone a 10.08-acre portion of a property in Will Township back to agricultural use, reversing a 2023 zoning change....
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees for September 10, 2025

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | September 2025 The Joliet Junior College (JJC) Board of Trustees approved a landmark agreement with the City of Joliet to explore a...
manhattan park district graphic.2

Manhattan Park Board Hires New Architect for Round Barn Buildout, Secures Annexation for Future Banquet Hall

Article Summary: The Manhattan Park Board advanced its plans for the historic Round Barn Farm on Thursday, August 14, 2025, by hiring a new design firm for a partial interior...
Screenshot

Lincoln-Way 210 Board Approves $172.7 Million Budget with Planned Deficit for Bus Purchases

Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which includes a planned operating deficit of $814,000 to accommodate the purchase of...
District 114 Graphic

Manhattan School District 114 Approves $41.5 Million Budget for FY26

Article Summary: The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education unanimously approved a fiscal year 2026 budget with $41.5 million in expenditures, a figure significantly influenced by the final costs...
Peotone fire district graphic logo.1

Manhattan Fire District Advances New Station with $8.75M Bond Hearing, Approves Contracts with $194,000 Savings

Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District is moving forward with plans for a new Station 81 after holding a public hearing for an $8.75 million bond sale and approving...
Enbridge Energy

Will County to Pay Enbridge $82,000 to Relocate Pipeline Equipment for Exchange Street Improvements

Article Summary: Will County will reimburse Enbridge Energy for costs associated with relocating its pipeline facilities to make way for roadway improvements on Exchange Street in the Monee and Crete...
diamond shaped orange red reflector street sign that reads road

Laraway Road Widening Project in New Lenox and Frankfort Gets Additional $468,000 for Redesign

Article Summary: The Will County Board approved a supplemental agreement worth $468,374 for additional design and engineering work on the major Laraway Road expansion project. The funds are needed for...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

“Federal Policy Uncertainty” Blamed for Delay of Peotone Solar Farm; County Grants Second Extension

Article Summary: The Will County Board has granted a second permit extension for a solar farm in Peotone Township after the developer, Trajectory Energy Partners, cited "ongoing uncertainty regarding federal...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

Will County Grants Extensions to Five Solar Projects Sold to New Developers

Article Summary: The Will County Board approved first-time permit extensions for five commercial solar projects across Monee, Crete, and Joliet townships, all of which were recently sold to larger energy...
WCO 2025-09-27 at 9.04.10 AM

Will County Board Approves Controversial Drug Recovery Retreat in Crete Township

Article Summary: The Will County Board has approved a special use permit for The Second Story Foundation to operate a long-term residential recovery program for men on a 68-acre horse...
District 114 Bus

Parents Voice Alarms Over Bus Safety, Lateness in Manhattan School District

Article Summary: Parents raised serious transportation safety and reliability concerns at the Manhattan School District 114 board meeting, including a harrowing account of a kindergartener being dropped off at the...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees for September 16, 2025

The Manhattan Village Board took steps to prepare for future growth at its Tuesday meeting, awarding a contract of over half a million dollars to extend water and sewer infrastructure...