I wish to present as much
information about the upcoming referendum regarding the
expansion of the public building commission. I have created a
new link called "courthouse referendum" on the left that will
take you to relevant documents and information.
Voters asked to expand Public Building Commission
Voters are being asked to expand
the powers of the existing Public Building Commission that was used to
build the new jail in Justice Center in 2001, near the courthouse at a
cost of $13,000,000, which added jail cells and three new courtrooms.
The new cells addressed a federal lawsuit alleging jail overcrowding.
A referendum is on the April 9th ballot to expand those powers to
include all county buildings to enable the county to address the issues
with other building such as the Courthouse and County Office Building.
Again the county is faced with new pending litigation. This time the
county is being called into question to not be providing adequate
courthouse facilities. In response to this, the county board voted
January 15th to place on the April 9th ballot, a referendum asking the
voters to expand the existing public building commission’s scope. The
referendum is worded as follows:
Shall
the County Board of The County of Rock Island be authorized to expand
the purpose of The Rock Island County Public Building Commission, Rock
Island County, Illinois to include all the powers and authority
prescribed by the Public Building Commission Act?
If this referendum is approved, only the elected County Board can tax,
debt is capped at 5% of estimated assessed value (EAV) by statute, which
is a cap of about $120 Million. Money can only be used for public
building construction, renovation and maintenance. The County Board’s
decides how much to spend, what, where, and when to build. Without a
signed lease, the Public Building Commission cannot issue bonds.
The decision of expanding the public building commission now lies in the
hands of the voters in Rock Island County. Documents relating to this
issue can be found on my web site here: Link to Courthouse and Public Building Commission Expansion Referendum
Documents.
Tour of Courthouse shows need for action
Last year I attended the
Consolidation Committee meetings that were looking at solutions to
problems with the aging courthouse and county office buildings. As a
resident, I asked what has been done in the last 20 - 30 years to
maintain these buildings in good repair. My answer from a board member
was “very little has been done” and the past boards have not addressed
maintenance of the courthouse.
Now as a member of the Administration Committee on the Rock Island
County Board, I toured the Rock Island County Courthouse on January 25,
2013 and Mr. Jeff Jacobson, Sheriff Maintenance Supervisor, led the
tour.
You may
review my report to the Administration Committee here.
Notable observations and findings include:
Public traffic volume- As civil and traffic cases from auxiliary
courtrooms in East Moline, Moline and Milan have been moved back, there
is not enough courtroom space and halls are clogged with standing room
only at times.
Heating and cooling issues- The Law library has extreme heat of
85° at times. The windows are left open to alleviate heating issue. At
the north end of the courthouse indoor temperatures have been recorded
as varying between 106° recorded high and 50° low.
Structural issues- I viewed signs of leakage from outside along
window in rotunda has caused plaster damage. Masonite ceiling tiles are
crumbling and pieces are dropping. A 2008 KJWW Consulting Engineers’
study identified the roof to be in poor condition and in need of
replacement.
Sprinkler system needed- The courthouse lacks a sprinkler system
and proper air handling system in case of a fire. The elevator shaft,
rotunda and open stairwell all would accelerate a fire by acting as a
chimney to draw oxygen to a fire.
Elevator Breakdowns- The courthouse elevator breaks down
frequently, not only trapping people inside, but forcing disabled to be
physically carried down staircases. Prisoners must use stairs in leg
shackles to get to and from court.
Rotunda Safety- The rotunda itself presents a safety and security
issue. During my tour of the courthouse I was told that security has had
to intervene to prevent people from being pushed over the railing to the
floor below. It was suggested netting is needed.
ADA Compliance- Compliance with the American Disabilities Act
(ADA) that would allow all residents equal access.
Clearly, the condition of the courthouse needs to be addressed as well
as numerous safety issues which, when speaking to Judge Jeffrey
O’Connor, he states that the courthouse is unsafe.
You may
review my report to the Administration Committee here.
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