What to know about the new $44 million justice center expansion coming to Pekin

A $44 million project to build a nearly 80,000-square foot addition to the Tazewell County Justice Center was approved this month and expected to be completed by 2027.

Here is what we know about the project in downtown Pekin:

What's included in the new annex?

The annex will be 79,000 square feet across four levels. It will house three fully finished courtrooms, a top floor shelled for an additional three courtrooms, state’s attorney and probation offices, the Circuit Clerk Traffic Division and an information technology data center.

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The Tazewell County Board in February voted to enter into design services and construction services agreements with Wold Architects and P.J. Hoerr. The board approved the schematic design for the project during a special meeting Aug. 7.

Why does the Tazewell County Justice Center need a new annex?

The new building will provide more courtrooms and administrative space. The annex also will streamline and make more safe the transportation of defendants to courtrooms at the Tazewell County Courthouse, located across the street.

“With the existing courthouse, defendants go there from the McKenzie Building through a tunnel,” county administrator Mike Deluhery said. “Then, they take a public elevator and walk through public areas to get to their courtrooms.”

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When will the new annex open?

Ground-breaking on the annex could take place as early as next spring, according to Deluhery. “As of right now, we’re looking at early 2027 to complete the annex,” he said.

Deluhery said three family-oriented courts would continue to operate at the existing courthouse after the annex is completed. The county eventually will transfer those courts to the top floor of the annex, but the Circuit Clerk’s office will continue to operate at the courthouse, along with other administrative offices.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: What to know about the new $44 million justice center expansion coming to Pekin