Johnson County voters weigh in on future of historic courthouse restoration

JOHNSON COUNTY, Ill. (KBSI) – The future of Johnson County’s historic courthouse is back in the hands of voters as residents consider whether county leaders should continue pursuing funding to restore the condemned building.

The courthouse was evacuated in 2023 after a serious structural problem raised concerns about a potential roof collapse. Since then, the building has remained condemned, with restoration costs estimated at approximately $7 million.

Johnson County currently uses a newly constructed building for court proceedings.

County Treasurer and Collector Mitch McClellan said one question on the ballot asks residents whether they support the Board of Commissioners continuing to pursue restoration efforts, including seeking grant funding. However, if grants do not fully cover the project, local tax dollars could be used to make up the difference.

McClellan emphasized that the referendum is advisory and nonbinding, meaning the results will provide county officials with an indication of where residents stand on the issue.

A separate ballot question, petitioned by a local revitalization corporation, asks whether the board should continue pursuing grant funding to restore the courthouse with the understanding that no local tax dollars would be used.

McClellan said the questions give voters an opportunity to weigh in on how the county should approach the historic building’s future.

The treasurer also pointed to the courthouse’s historical significance and its potential value to tourism in the community.

Before being condemned, McClellan said the courthouse had been the longest-standing fully operational courthouse in Illinois.

While restoration could preserve an important piece of local history, the estimated $7 million price tag and the potential impact on taxpayers remain central considerations.

The referendum results are intended to help guide county leaders as they consider the next steps for the historic courthouse