KANKAKEE COUNTY, Ill. — Chief Judge Thomas Cuddington told the Kankakee County Criminal Justice Committee on Oct. 15 that the county courthouse renovations are in the architectural and engineering design phase and that bids will follow completion of that work.

Cuddington said architects and engineers inspected ceiling spaces and measured HVAC needs while the courthouse was closed for a day to facilitate the work. He said he has heard differing possible start dates but estimated “probably June 1” as a likely construction start; he added the project must go to county finance and then to the county board before work begins.

The update was part of Cuddington’s monthly report; he also told the committee that the judges elected a new chief judge at a recent judges meeting. “We elected a new chief judge…Judge Bill Dickinson,” Cuddington said, and he indicated he will complete his statutory limit of service as chief judge at the end of December and remain on the bench as a circuit judge thereafter.

Why it matters: courthouse renovation schedules affect court operations, budgets and where cases are heard while work proceeds. Cuddington’s remarks place the project in the design phase and identify the next procedural steps — final design, bid letting, finance committee review and county board approval — that will precede construction.

Committee action and next steps: the committee accepted the monthly reports by voice vote during the meeting. Cuddington did not give a finalized construction contract or a guaranteed start date; staff and the architect will supply further details as design and bid documents are completed.

Cuddington closed his report by noting he will remain a circuit judge after his term as chief judge ends in December.