January 24, 2025
Shaw Local
NewsSportsBearsNewsletterObituarieseNewspaperWeekend PlansEvent Calendar

Will County working with engineers to learn why tile fell from courthouse

In the meantime, safety measures are in place

By Denise M. Baran-Unland
Scaffolding is set up near the entrance of the Will County Courthouse as repairs are being down on Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025 in Joliet.

Scaffolding is set up near the entrance of the Will County Courthouse as repairs are being down on Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025 in Joliet. (Gary Middendorf)

Will County is trying to determine why stone tile fell off the Will County Courthouse in Joliet.

On Jan. 15, a stone tile fell off the side of the building, along with other tiles around the building. No injuries were reported.

The Will County Facilities Department is now “working with forensic engineering companies to provide an independent analysis of the stone façade on the outside of the Will County Courthouse,” according to a news release from Will County.

A view of the remnants of the stone tile at the outside entrance of the Will County Courthouse on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Joliet.

The remnants of the stone tile that fell lie on the pavement outside the entrance to the Will County Courthouse on Jan. 15, 2025, in Joliet. (Felix Sarver)

Pieces of the façade were intentionally removed to install scaffolding, and several more pieces in the area of the building likely will be removed to facilitate the investigation, according to the release.

To ensure safety, overhead protection was installed at all entrances around the building after the tile fell, and pedestrian traffic was diverted from the staff entrance to the main entrance “out of an abundance of caution,” according to the release.

The facilities department plans to install additional scaffolding, according to the release.

Have a Question about this article?