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

Screenshot 2025-12-05 at 12.00.30 PM

Joliet Unity Movement Criticizes Board’s Handling of Cannabis Tax Revenue

Will County Board Meeting | December 4, 2025 Article Summary: During public comment, the Joliet Unity Movement denounced a recent board vote that redirected cannabis tax revenue away from community...
Republicans divided over how to address rising health care costs

Republicans divided over how to address rising health care costs

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate will hold a doomed vote next week on Democrats’ bill to extend the enhanced Obamacare subsidies for three more years. Senate Republicans,...
Obama-era 'Welcoming Cities' program overlaps with illegal border crosser crimes

Obama-era ‘Welcoming Cities’ program overlaps with illegal border crosser crimes

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A program launched in partnership with the Obama administration more than a decade ago that certifies localities to “improve immigrant inclusion” overlaps with crimes being...
Expert blasts Illinois Congressman’s push to double H-1Bs as 'tone-deaf'

Expert blasts Illinois Congressman’s push to double H-1Bs as ‘tone-deaf’

By Catrina BarkerThe Center Square A renewed push to double H-1B visas is touted as a talent win, but critics warn it could reshape the tech market by driving down...
Afghans arrested by ICE released into the country by the Biden administration

Afghans arrested by ICE released into the country by the Biden administration

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Federal and local law enforcement officers have been arresting Afghan men since they were released into the country by the Biden administration in 2021. Key...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Beecher School Board Facilities Committee

Beecher School Board Facilities Committee Meeting | November 24, 2025 The Beecher School District 200-U Facilities Committee met on Monday, November 24, 2025, to review capital improvement projects and maintenance...

Safety Upgrades Planned for Wilmington-Peotone Road; Gas Line Proposal Rejected

Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works Committee approved a $1.9 million engineering contract for improvements to a dangerous stretch...
Officials: Stockton stands together after fatal shooting

Officials: Stockton stands together after fatal shooting

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square In the days after the deadly Nov. 29 shooting in Stockton, the Northern California community is trying to pull together, local representatives told The Center...
IL strips explicit racial criteria from minority teacher scholarship program

IL strips explicit racial criteria from minority teacher scholarship program

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Rather than attempt to defend a longstanding state-funded scholarship program against claims in court that it intentionally discriminated against white applicants, the...
Illinois quick hits: Armed sex offender sentenced; most are family farms

Illinois quick hits: Armed sex offender sentenced; most are family farms

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Armed sex offender sentenced A Southern Illinois man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after he admitted to distributing...
HHS: Pritzker 'eroded public trust' in public health

HHS: Pritzker ‘eroded public trust’ in public health

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman says Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker eroded public trust and is trying to reinvent public health. The...
U.S. Supreme Court to decide birthright citizenship case

U.S. Supreme Court to decide birthright citizenship case

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to decide a case challenging President Donald Trump's plan to end birthright citizenship. On the first day of...
WATCH: House passes bills to block CCP's influence on schools

WATCH: House passes bills to block CCP’s influence on schools

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square House representatives passed three bills this week aimed at protecting K-12 classrooms from the influence of the Chinese Communist Party. The bills - PROTECT Our...
New fiscal year begins with lowest border apprehensions in recorded history

New fiscal year begins with lowest border apprehensions in recorded history

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Illegal border crossings continued an historic downward trajectory in October and November, representing the lowest numbers ever reported at the beginning of a fiscal year...
IL legislator credits Trump for U.S. Steel announcement

IL legislator credits Trump for U.S. Steel announcement

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state legislator from the Metro East says it’s a Christmas miracle that U.S. Steel is...