Capital Imp Committee: Facilities Director Reports on VAC Progress and Critical Health Department Elevator Repairs

Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026

Article Summary:
Facilities Director Bill Fern provided updates on major renovation projects, including the completion of the Court Annex and the impending opening of the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) building. The committee also addressed critical repairs, including a lingering elevator outage at the Health Department.

Facilities Update Key Points:

• Court Annex: Renovations at 57 N. Ottawa are complete, and staff has moved into the new office spaces.

• VAC Facility: The new Veterans Assistance Commission building at 1300 Copperfield is expected to reach substantial completion by mid-January 2026.

• In-House Savings: County staff completed water main repairs at the River Valley Justice Center in-house, saving the county approximately $15,000.

• Elevator Outage: A proprietary elevator at the Health Department has been out of service since November, with inspectors scheduled to visit January 7.

The Will County Board Capital Improvements and IT Committee on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, received a status report on county infrastructure from Facilities Director Bill Fern.

Fern reported that the renovations at the Court Annex and State’s Attorney’s office at 57 N. Ottawa are complete. “They’ve moved in. It’s a beautiful new space,” Fern told the committee, noting that previously boarded-up windows were opened to provide natural light for the new offices.

Progress continues at the new Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) facility at 1300 Copperfield. Major renovations, including boilers, flooring, and the facade, are nearly finished. Fern stated that substantial completion is expected by mid-January, though a final move-in date is floating due to contractor material issues.

The committee also addressed a significant maintenance issue at the Will County Health Department, where an elevator has been out of service since November. Fern explained that the unit is a unique, proprietary hydraulic elevator that serves only one floor, complicating repairs.

“It’s a little concerning the Health Department [has] to help make accommodations for the people that were displaced,” Fern acknowledged.

Fern confirmed that a team of inspectors was scheduled to visit the site on the morning of January 7 to pinpoint why the car is not leveling properly. Committee Vice-Chair Dave Oxley (R-Lockport) requested immediate updates following the inspection to ensure the issue is resolved for the public.

Fern also highlighted the work of the county’s skilled tradesmen, noting that a water main leak at the River Valley Justice Center was repaired in-house overnight, saving the county an estimated $15,000 and avoiding operational disruptions.