Shelby Co. (ECWd) –
The Shelby County Board has called an emergency meeting for Monday, April 22, 2024, at 7pm. The courthouse windows are the topic to be discussed and acted on.
With numerous uninformed social media posts blaming the county board for the delays in courthouse window replacement maybe this meeting will make it clear it is not the county board’s place to take care of maintenance and repairs in the courthouse outside of approving funds.
There are three items to be acted on according to the agenda.
A. Declare funds for the Sheriff to use for windows in the Courthouse
B. Declare scope of project – Replace all windows in the Courthouse
C. Establish the Sheriff as point of contact and responsible for window project (55 ILCS 5/3 6017)
We understand some windows blew outward sending shards of glass onto the sidewalk during the high winds a few days ago, one of those being from the State’s Attorney’s office. Recognizing the potential liability, the Sheriff was contacted as to the status of the window project. Turns out the contract the Sheriff entered into with an Architect approximately 8 months ago has resulted in little to no activity from the Architect.
With a known safety hazard and nothing being done to resolve the matter by the hired Architect, action was taken by the State’s Attorney to have that contract terminated so the Sheriff could pursue other options to replace the windows and avoid a potential liability suit for a known risk not being addressed.
We are not sure why any of these items on the agenda are needed. Funds had already been allocated in the budget for capital projects which included the replacement of all the windows.
As far as establishing the Sheriff as the point of contact and responsible for windows, there is no need to adopt such an item considering the law already places the Sheriff as the custodian of the courthouse.
(55 ILCS 5/3-6017) (from Ch. 34, par. 3-6017)
Sec. 3-6017. Sheriff custodian of courthouse and jail. He or she shall have the custody and care of the courthouse and jail of his or her county, except as is otherwise provided.
(Source: P.A. 86-962.)
3 Comments
Pete D.
Posted at 08:23h, 25 AprilMaybe the State’s Attorney cancelling the contract needs to know that the State’s Attorney is stepping on the toes of the Sheriff?
Kirk Allen & John Kraft
Posted at 08:44h, 25 AprilSuch a comment shows you have not looked into what actually took place. The Sheriff was well aware of it and in agreement with the action because the contractor was doing NOTHING.
Jack Tarleton
Posted at 20:59h, 19 April“there is no need to adopt such an item considering the law already places the Sheriff as the custodian of the courthouse.” cf. “With numerous uninformed social media posts blaming the county board for the delays in courthouse window replacement”
While there is no need under statute, there is a need under the rules of political expedience, Chapter C, paragraph Y, subparagraph A.