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

NASA plans to build $20 billion base on the Moon

NASA plans to build $20 billion base on the Moon

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square NASA has abandoned its plans to build a lunar-orbiting space station and will instead use those resources to construct a $20 billion permanent base on...
HUD launches investigation into race-based Washington housing program

HUD launches investigation into race-based Washington housing program

By Tim ClouserThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development launched a fair-housing investigation into the Washington State Housing Finance Commission Tuesday over its race-based Covenant Homeownership...
Illinois lagging the nation for entrepreneurship, economic growth

Illinois lagging the nation for entrepreneurship, economic growth

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Policy Institute’s Josh Bandoch says he could have easily predicted the state would rank as...
Illinois Quick Hits: Iowa PA license wait times half of Illinois

Illinois Quick Hits: Iowa PA license wait times half of Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing says the state’s average wait time for new physician...

Will County Previews ‘GuideWill’ Comprehensive Resource Management Plan

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 2026 Article Summary: Will County's Land Use Department unveiled the branding, interactive tools, and initial timeline for its updated Resource Management...
State attorneys general blame feds for rising gas prices, Trump admin pushes back

State attorneys general blame feds for rising gas prices, Trump admin pushes back

By Dave Mason | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - It’s up to the federal government to stop hikes in gas prices, according to Democratic attorneys general...
Union president: TSA workers want to be paid, not replaced by ICE

Union president: TSA workers want to be paid, not replaced by ICE

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Federal immigration law enforcement officers have joined Transportation Security Administration workers at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago....
Illinois Quick Hits: DHS wants migrant charged with killing to remain in custody

Illinois Quick Hits: DHS wants migrant charged with killing to remain in custody

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is asking Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago officials to not release...
IL U.S. Rep says health care crisis caused by failing to extend ACA tax credits

IL U.S. Rep says health care crisis caused by failing to extend ACA tax credits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic Illinois congresswoman says Republicans have caused a health care crisis by not extending Affordable Care...
Judge declines CTU's motion to dismiss financial audit lawsuit

Judge declines CTU’s motion to dismiss financial audit lawsuit

By Dan McCaleb and Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Cook County judge on Monday denied a Chicago Teachers' Union motion for summary...
Illinois pushes rate-hike protections forward despite consumer cost fears

Illinois pushes rate-hike protections forward despite consumer cost fears

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Home and auto insurance providers in Illinois could face new oversight and regulation after a Senate bill...
Illinois bill aims to delay 2024 tax sales, protect homeowners’ equity

Illinois bill aims to delay 2024 tax sales, protect homeowners’ equity

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are weighing a proposal to delay property tax sales and pause penalties as the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Man on pretrial release charged with fireman's murder

Illinois Quick Hits: Man on pretrial release charged with fireman’s murder

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago man is charged with murder and aggravated arson in connection with a fire that killed...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Will County Targets May Draft for Comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Policy

Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | March 2026 Article Summary:Will County is moving closer to adopting a formal Artificial Intelligence policy, with IT staff planning to deliver a comprehensive...
Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning.2

P&Z Commission Approves Side Yard Setback Variance for Joliet Detached Garage

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a variance to reduce a side yard setback on...