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

Supreme Court declines to hear public prayer case

Supreme Court declines to hear public prayer case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined to decide a case about public prayer in Florida. The case, Cambridge Christian School v. Florida High School Athletic Association,...
Supreme Court to decide immigration asylum case

Supreme Court to decide immigration asylum case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will decide a case that would determine at what point an individual seeking asylum "arrives" in the United States. The Trump...
Illinois quick hits: Armed robbery charges after incident at Senate President's office

Illinois quick hits: Armed robbery charges after incident at Senate President’s office

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Armed robbery charges after incident at Senate President's office A Chicago man has been charged with armed robbery after an incident...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Will County Committee Approves Rezoning, Denies Landfill Permit for Former Joliet Beach Club Site

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday narrowly approved rezoning the former Joliet Beach...
Michigan school board passes controversial sex ed policies

Michigan school board passes controversial sex ed policies

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square After weeks of public backlash, the Michigan Board of Education officially moved forward to adopt controversial new Michigan Health Education Standards Framework. The newly-adopted standards...
Washington Township Graphic.4

Washington Township to Receive Nearly $15,000 Reimbursement for Mental Health Program

Washington Township Board Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary: Washington Township is set to receive a $14,962.40 reimbursement from the Joliet Fire Department for its mental health program. The funds...
Everyday Economics: Jobs data returns as government reopens

Everyday Economics: Jobs data returns as government reopens

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square With the government shutdown finally over, this week brings a double dose of good news: federal workers start receiving paychecks again, and economic data collection...
Supreme Court case could have major effect on 2026 midterms

Supreme Court case could have major effect on 2026 midterms

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case that could have an effect on the 2026 midterm elections. The case, Watson v....
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Land Use & Development Committee for November 6, 2025

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 The Will County Land Use and Development Committee navigated a series of contentious zoning cases on Thursday, November...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Committee Rejects Rezoning for Fencing Company in Joliet Township

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: Citing incompatibility with the surrounding residential neighborhood, the Will County Land Use and Development Committee unanimously denied...
Beecher Graphic.1

Beecher Awards Over $12,000 for Asphalt Patching

Village of Beecher Meeting | November 10, 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher Village Board has unanimously approved a proposal from Wirkus Paving Co. to complete asphalt patching at various locations...
Screenshot 2025-11-05 at 4.02.49 PM

County Sales Tax Revenues Strong, Cannabis Funds Dispersed to Community Programs

Will County Finance Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: Will County's key sales tax revenues are on track to meet or exceed budget projections for fiscal year 2025, though...
beecher ilinois school board graphic.5

Beecher School District to Create New Special Ed Classroom, Aiming to Bring Students Home

Beecher Board of Education Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher Board of Education has directed its administration to move forward with a plan to create an in-district,...
Illinois sports wagers decline after implementation of new tax

Illinois sports wagers decline after implementation of new tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Gaming Board has reported a 15% drop in September sports betting, after the state imposed...
Competing crypto plans create 'narrow path' for adoption

Competing crypto plans create ‘narrow path’ for adoption

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Two competing plans seeking to define market structure for digital assets in the U.S. have left a "narrow path" to pass regulations for cryptocurrency. The...