Logan County Board looks at how to save the courthouse dome

[December 19, 2017] 

LINCOLN

On Thursday, December 14, the Logan County Board held its monthly workshop to set the agenda for Tuesday's voting meeting and hear committee updates. One focus of discussion was removal of the stained-glass portion of the Courthouse dome.

Board member Kevin Bateman said he will motion Tuesday to expend $158,000 to remove the stain-glassed portion of the dome in the Courthouse rotunda and put up plexiglass.

Bateman said the plexiglass will help keep concrete from falling to the floor. The plexiglass will also be resistant to the smaller pieces of stained-glass falling and keep the heat and cold out. An area of the rotunda on the first floor has been roped off due to concrete that has already fallen. Small pieces of stained glass have also fallen recently.

The stained-glass portion, or oculus, is the circular opening at the dome's center, and will be stored in crates until it can be restored.

Bateman said the Finance Committee has already discussed the issue and they know where the available funds are coming from.

Bateman said earlier this fall that he has talked to the Illinois Historical Register about the courthouse and the repairs needed due to its age. He said finding someone to repair the dome is difficult.

The Logan County Courthouse is 112 years old and was dedicated in November 1905. In November 2005, a celebration marking the courthouse's 100th anniversary included a parade, public ceremony and rededication modeled after the original program.

Tuesday, Bateman will also motion for the expenditure of $15,000 for engineering plans for a new jail facility with the money to come out of the same account.

At last month's board meeting, State's Attorney Jonathan Wright said that upcoming prison reforms will put pressure on county jails.

Bateman said the new laws mean the county has to expand the jail.

Other Committee updates

Tuesday, Bateman will bring forward a motion from the Building and Grounds Committee to increase the public safety sales tax by .5 cents for public safety purposes. The tax will be on non-food and non-medical items. The tax increase will help cover the costs of repairing the dome.

Other motions that will be brought forward from the Executive and Personnel Committee include a donation for the Tropics sign.

Board Vice Chairman Emily Davenport, who chairs the board's Tourism Committee, said that in May the Logan County Board voted not to exceed $3,000 for the Tropics sign. Davenport said the fund it is coming from has $3,397.50.

Davenport asked the board how much they want to give since some of the money could go towards a $500 donation to the Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society.

Bateman said he would motion on Tuesday to give $2000 for the Tropics sign.

Bateman said he will also be making an amendment to donate $500 to the Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society.

Last month, Diane Osborn, who is part of the Society, said their budget is way down. Most of their income comes from fundraisers and donations, and they have used bequests to pay for their copy machine and furnace. Osborn said the society does genealogy and research work for the county and has collections of old papers.

The board will vote on these motions along with several others at their Regular Board, which will be held in the Logan County Courthouse, Tuesday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m.

Eleven board members were present: Kevin Bateman, Dave Blankenship, Janet Dahmm, Bob Farmer, David Hepler, Gloria Luster, Gene Rohlfs, Bob Sanders, Scott Schaffenacker and Annette Welch, with Board Chairman Emily Davenport presiding. Board Chairman Chuck Ruben was absent.

[Angela Reiners]