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

Meeting Briefs

PZC Briefs: Solar Farm in Crete, Post-Fire Permit for Troy Business, and More

The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission handled several other cases during its July 1 meeting, including a new solar farm, a temporary permit for a fire-damaged business, and routine...
Meeting Briefs

In Brief: Capital & IT News

Here are other highlights from the Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee meeting on Tuesday. Successful Fire Drill at County BuildingThe Will County Office Building held its first full...
Meeting Briefs

Will County Finance Committee July 1 Meeting Briefs

Bond Refinancing Advances: Finance Committee approved an ordinance authorizing up to $200.8 million in bond refinancing that could save taxpayers more than $716,000. The measure moves to the full County...
Meeting Briefs

Will County Public Works Committee Juliy 1 Meeting Briefs

ROAD CONTRACTS APPROVED Austin Tyler Construction Contract: The committee approved a $691,544 contract with Austin Tyler Construction for resurfacing River Road from East Frontage Road to Prairie Creek Bridge and...
prairie state college graphic.2

Prairie State College Braces for Potential Federal Cuts to TRIO Student Support Program

Article Summary: Prairie State College leadership is developing contingency plans amid uncertainty over federal funding for its TRIO programs, which provide critical academic and personal support to first-generation, low-income, and...
prairie state college graphic.1

Prairie State College Showcases Booming Allied Health and Emergency Services Programs

Article Summary: Prairie State College's (PSC) Allied Health and Emergency Services division is experiencing a period of significant growth and success, marked by high student pass rates, expanding programs, and...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees for May 29, 2025

The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees conducted its annual reorganization on May 29, reappointing Margie Cook as board president. Trustees also approved a significant technology upgrade by signing...
Beecher Fire Protection District graphic.3

Beecher Fire District Bolsters Staff with Four New Part-Time Hires

Article Summary: The Beecher Fire Protection District has added four new part-time emergency responders to its roster, a move that enhances its operational readiness and ability to serve the community....
Beecher Fire Protection District graphic.1

Beecher Fire District Reorganizes Board, Approves New Record System and Community Donations

Article Summary: The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees has established its leadership for the upcoming year, reappointing Margie Cook as president, while also approving a major technology upgrade...
JJC Graphic Logo

JJC Trustees Approve Contentious FY26 Budget After Heated Debate, Failed Postponement

The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved a $322.3 million budget for fiscal year 2026, but not before a tense debate that saw a motion to postpone...
Joliet Junior college. Graphic Logo.5

JJC’s ‘12x12x12’ Initiative Boosts College Credits, Increases Matriculation Rate

Joliet Junior College’s ambitious "12x12x12" initiative is yielding significant results, leading to more high school students earning college credits and a greater percentage of them choosing to attend JJC after...
Joliet Junior college. Graphic Logo.4

JJC Board Meeting Highlights Tensions Over Legal Bills, Trustee Conduct

An otherwise routine vote to approve monthly bill payments ignited a tense exchange at the Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday, revealing ongoing friction over redacted legal invoices,...
Joliet Junior college. Graphic Logo.3

Students, Trustees Emphasize Importance of Inclusivity and Flag Raisings at JJC

From a recent graduate’s public plea to trustee remarks on federal policies, the theme of student belonging and inclusivity was a prominent thread at the Joliet Junior College Board of...
Joliet Junior college. Graphic Logo.2

JJC Embarks on New 10-15 Year Facilities Master Plan Process

Joliet Junior College is laying the groundwork for its physical future, officially launching a comprehensive process to create a new facilities master plan that will guide campus development for the...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary: Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees for June 25, 2025

The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Key actions included the approval of the fiscal year 2026 budget after a contentious debate and hearing...