Noise Concerns to be Addressed at New Courthouse
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: September 11, 2012
PONTIAC - Judicial leaders are hopeful they have a solution to some ongoing problems with a new, multi-million dollar building.
Judges who oversee trials in the $16 million Livingston County Law & Justice Center in Pontiac say it's too noisy and jeopardizes privacy.
The judges claim their courtrooms become too loud when it rains and when chillers on the roof are running.
They also believe jurors can be heard deliberating from outside their private room.
The concerns were voiced to county leaders, who in turn met with the building's construction firm and architect.
They formulated a plan that they believe will permanently solve the judges' concerns. The plan includes installing additional drywall and insulation to absorb the sound.
The chillers on the roof are expected to equalized, so they run at the same level instead of one running more and therefore causing more noise.
Court Administrator Will Scanlon said Tuesday the solutions appear to be a step in the right direction.
"We're optimistic that the plan that has been put in place by the architects and construction firm will mitigate the noise issues and solve the problems that are being faced by the court," he said.
The hope is much of the work can be completed by September 17, when a jury trial is expected to get underway.
Scanlon said other repairs will take longer or get started at a later date.
About 100 accessibility violations from Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office are still unresolved.
Scanlon said discussions are ongoing to formulate a solution for that problem.
Judges who oversee trials in the $16 million Livingston County Law & Justice Center in Pontiac say it's too noisy and jeopardizes privacy.
The judges claim their courtrooms become too loud when it rains and when chillers on the roof are running.
They also believe jurors can be heard deliberating from outside their private room.
The concerns were voiced to county leaders, who in turn met with the building's construction firm and architect.
They formulated a plan that they believe will permanently solve the judges' concerns. The plan includes installing additional drywall and insulation to absorb the sound.
The chillers on the roof are expected to equalized, so they run at the same level instead of one running more and therefore causing more noise.
Court Administrator Will Scanlon said Tuesday the solutions appear to be a step in the right direction.
"We're optimistic that the plan that has been put in place by the architects and construction firm will mitigate the noise issues and solve the problems that are being faced by the court," he said.
The hope is much of the work can be completed by September 17, when a jury trial is expected to get underway.
Scanlon said other repairs will take longer or get started at a later date.
About 100 accessibility violations from Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office are still unresolved.
Scanlon said discussions are ongoing to formulate a solution for that problem.
