Remodeled St. Clair County Courthouse entrance now open with heightened security
The remodeled entrance to the St. Clair County Courthouse on West Washington Street reopens to the public starting on Friday, Jan. 23.
The doors have been closed since March 11, 2024, while construction crews worked to demolish exterior steps, expand the lobby and improve the security checkpoint before people can enter the building’s offices or courtrooms.
The tunnel between the South First Street public parking garage and courthouse also reopened Friday, as bitterly cold temperatures and snow return to the forecast.
County elected officials and employees gathered Thursday morning to view and commemorate the renovations — the building’s first major structural changes since 1975.
“This is a long time coming, but it’s a great project, and good things take time,” County Board Chairman Mark Kern said Thursday.
County department heads highlighted one new feature in particular: a security checkpoint equipped with metal detectors and security officers at entry, which they said makes employees feel safer. For many years, those security measures were reserved only for courtrooms and the St. Clair County Board meeting room. They were added as a permanent feature in the lobby beginning in 2023.
“I won’t even tell you some of the fears that I’ve had over the years of what could have happened here,” Sheriff Rick Watson told the crowd. “I’m thrilled to death that this is open.”
Project faced delays
The initial plan was to reopen this entrance in spring 2025. But the project faced delays, mainly from unforeseen site conditions, specialty materials procurement and weather, according to County Buildings Director Jim Brede.
Brede said one significant delay occurred when crews had to redesign after discovering a high water table at the foundation, setting the timeline back by months. The courthouse remained accessible to the public through other entrances during construction.
Mark Hinrichs, president of construction company Impact Strategies, called the project the most complicated of his career during Thursday’s event. County staff and subcontractors were “integral in getting this done,” he said.
“We’re very, very thankful and proud of having been a partner with you,” Hinrichs said.
The courthouse’s other entrance, across from the fountain in Belleville’s Public Square, is expected to reopen in April, according to Brede.
The county continues to provide updates on construction and building access at its website, www.co.st-clair.il.us.
