The Knox County Board is forming a special task force to evaluate whether to renovate or replace the county’s aging courthouse — or move operations to another building — as officials consider the cost of needed upgrades.
Board Chair Jared Hawkinson, R-District 4, said replacing the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems at the courthouse is estimated to cost $15 million.
“After spending $15 million, we are still left with an ancient building that still needs tremendous work. Interior, exterior, grounds. You name it, it needs it,” Hawkinson said. “So we’re going to look at options.”
The current courthouse at 200 S. Cherry St. in Galesburg was constructed in the mid-1880s, after the county seat was moved from Knoxville to Galesburg in 1873. The large stone building was dedicated on Jan. 28, 1887.
The ad hoc task force will include Hawkinson and former board chair Pam Davidson, D-District 3, five additional board members, and two county residents. The task force will research options and provide a report to the full board.
Hawkinson said the task force will expire Dec. 1. It could be extended after that, but he said he expects to have “a good idea of a direction” for the courthouse before then. He said it’s possible a referendum could be placed on the ballot for the general election in November, if there were expenditures that required it.
“We need to move quickly but correctly and solicit feedback, look at all the options, all the properties,” Hawkinson said.
In addition to the upgrades that are needed at the courthouse, there are also space issues. In 2024, the county purchased the former Wells Fargo bank building at Main and Cherry streets, a couple blocks north of the current courthouse, with the goal of moving some non-judicial offices there.
While that has not happened yet, Hawkinson told TSPR the county still plans to renovate that space.
Meanwhile, one option for the courthouse situation is to renovate another building in Galesburg, and move the remainder of courthouse operations there. Hawkinson said there has been talk of different locations, as well as building new.
“Some of the properties aren’t downtown. Is that a deal breaker? It could be,” Hawkinson said. “What type of renovations is it? Is it an existing standing building? Is it a new build? Do we build on the current courthouse lawn?”
In terms of a new build, Hawkinson mentioned a project underway in Tazewell County. That $44 million Justice Center is across the street from the county’s historic courthouse. It will provide for modern, secure court operations.
Hawkinson said the goal of the task force is to have real discussions and conduct vibrant research.
“I know I think spending $15 million and still having a very lovely and very expensive building to refurbish … is not the proper way to go,” Hawkinson said. “But nonetheless, I’d like to see what the task force comes up with and presents to the board and the public.”
There were similar discussions around 15 years ago.
Meetings of the task force will be open to the public.
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