County court administrator urges long-term courthouse space plan; short-term options explored

Laurie Hansen, Champaign County court administrator, told the county facilities committee on the facilities committee meeting that courthouse space shortfalls — not just creating a twelfth courtroom — require both a long-term plan and near-term fixes. "This really is more of a conversation about space needs at the courthouse," Hansen said, noting departments need more room, the law library has been reduced to a small corner and a lactation room is currently just a closet without a sink.

Hansen said county leaders previously received architects' blueprints and suggestions, and that the most logical long-term step discussed with prior county executives was a three‑story addition on the east-side parking lot. "It's actually cheaper to do new construction than to do renovation work," she said, adding a new addition could restore the law library and provide more office space for state and county functions.

Committee members pressed on short-term alternatives while acknowledging funding and staffing constraints. Facilities staffer Eric (first name only in the record) said the 11‑year capital plan will be adjusted and that officials have discussed an expansion with the county executive; he said a realistic target for a major courthouse project is about five years away because funding is the limiting factor. Steve (first name only), who spoke about current building conditions, said of a nearby sheriff's office building: "The issue with the roof is that it is frankly beyond repair," adding that the county had done multiple repairs and that further work would be expensive.

Board member Stephanie (first name only) raised staffing and security concerns about using the sheriff's office or other remote locations for a courtroom. "I do not see a universe in which we can staff that without taking deputies off the street," she said, urging the group to consider operational impacts as well as facility costs. Hansen said potential short-term options discussed include holding some hearings in the law school's courtroom (logistical and security complications remain), leasing space at Lincoln Square Mall (Hansen estimated roughly $30,000 a year plus renovation), or using rooms in the sheriff's building across the street, though that structure is on the committee's demolition list for 2026.

Hansen and committee members discussed security needs for the public defender's office if it were moved off site; the public defender (identified in the record as Liz) and others had chosen to remain in the courthouse because it has metal detectors and on-site security. The committee also discussed whether ARPA funds could be used to study and design an addition; Hansen said an architectural study was already planned using ARPA funding.

The discussion concluded with committee members asking staff to develop clearer cost estimates and operational requirements for the short-term options and to move forward with a courthouse design study as part of broader capital planning. No formal action was taken tonight on a courtroom addition or on relocating offices.