The Washington County Board got a tour of the new Washington County Judicial Building on Monday night before their regular meeting. John Parkinson, President of Image Architects gave the tour. The entrance will have a security desk with a metal detector and x-ray machine. There are many safety features and one of those involves the lighting in the entire building. Parkinson says the lights are motion sensitive, as they turn on when there is motion and will stay on for up to 10 minutes. Another safety feature involves doors. Some doors can be opened and closed, as well as locked by the Judge in the Courtroom. Other doors are always locked, especially where ever prisoners will be. The large offices all have their own restrooms and break room, again another safety feature, as Parkinson says they are not supposed to be out in the general public area. There are 2 courtrooms with one for civil trials and similar, but there is a courtroom with a jury section that holds 14 chairs, two of which are handicap accessible. A first in Illinois includes a hydraulic lift in the judge’s benches. This is for handicap accessibility. If a judge does not need this, there will be steps up to his bench. Parkinson says there are certain codes for a courtroom with some areas needing to be higher than other areas. Thus the judge needs to be the highest. The jury room also has its own bathroom and kitchenette. The downstairs includes the jail cells, as well as the State’s Attorney’s Office with meeting offices, including a room for video conferencing. There will be plenty of storage, as of now, downstairs in moveable cabinets. The law library will also be downstairs. Sometimes a public defender will not want to meet face to face with a client they have been assigned, but there are a couple of rooms with a divider between them, down near the holding cells. The probation office will also be downstairs. There is a sallyport or garage in the new building for dropping off suspects or jury members if their safety is an issue. Parkinson said the building is scheduled for the furniture and equipment in early February. He also said the building is still on budget. They hope to be open and operating on March 1st.