Will Co. Courthouse Demo Finally Over: 8 Photos

JOLIET — Nine months after American Demolition Corp. began demolition of the 1969-era Will County Courthouse, the Carol Stream-based company has removed all the chain-link fencing around the perimeter of the $1.5 million demolition project.

American Demolition is all done with its work. The demolition of the four-story Will County Courthouse made of concrete is finished.

So what will happen with the Will County government-owned land for now?

The plan, for the short term future, is to leave it as wide open green space.

In June 2023, Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy met with Joliet Patch to discuss the concept of building a new Will County Government Campus on the site of the soon-to-be demolished old Will County Courthouse.

However, the idea of creating a new Will County Government Campus on the site of the now-demolished courthouse has not gained any momentum, and for now, it remains an idea, nothing more, nothing less.

For those keeping score, a total of two Will County Courthouses have now been built and knocked down in Joliet's downtown along Jefferson and Chicago Streets. In addition to the recent demise of the 1969-era courthouse, the limestone courthouse built in the 1880s was taken down.

In October 2020, Will County politicians marked a joyous ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of its new 10 -story Will County Courthouse, built directly across the street, on the former site of the First Midwest Bank building and parking lot.

New Will Co. Government Campus To Replace Torn Down Courthouse?