$32M revamp to turn Public Safety Building into new Family Court Center in downtown Rockford

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A $32 million project that will revamp the vacant Public Safety Building into a new Family Court Center got its ceremonial start on Tuesday as county and court officials swung sledgehammers through a first-floor wall.

The wall-breaking ceremony marks the long-awaited start of an effort to repurpose the Public Safety Building, which was opened in 1976 and has sat empty for years after being vacated in phases. The former jail inside the building at 420 W. State St. has sat empty since July 2007, when the new Criminal Justice Center was opened just up the street at 650 W. State St. Rockford police then moved out of the building roughly eight years ago as they transitioned into three district stations.

Discussion about what to do with the county-owned building circled for years before plans for the Family Court Center were approved. The County Board approved the redevelopment, which will be led by Ringland-Johnson Construction, in November.

“For many years people would say you just need to tear this building down,” Winnebago County Chairman Joe Chiarelli said. “I did not believe that. I saw something different in this building. We recognized that this building was not only structurally sound, it was incredibly well built and architecturally significant.”

The project was funded in large part by federal American Recovery Plan Act dollars allocated to the county.

“This project represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to modernize county facilities and enhance public services,” Chiarelli said. “By repurposing the Public Safety Building into a dedicated Family Court Center, we’re addressing a critical need in our judicial system while making efficient use of existing resources. This renovation demonstrates our commitment to fiscal responsibility while prioritizing the needs of families and children throughout Winnebago County.”

The renovations will include a new main entrance and grand staircase to the second floor, five new courtrooms with judges chambers, an improved jury assembly room, modernized Domestic Violence Assistance Center and the relocation of key departments including jury assembly, administration and a supervised children’s waiting room.

Construction is expected to take 13 months and be complete by summer 2026.

“As we break ground on this important renovation, we’re taking a significant step toward creating a more unified and efficient court system,” said Judge John Lowry, chief judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court, which covers Boone and Winnebago counties. “The new Family Court Center will allow us to consolidate operations that were previously spread across multiple locations, reducing confusion for court users and improving coordination among our judicial departments. This facility will help us deliver justice more effectively while providing a more dignified experience for those navigating the family court process.”

The renovations will take place on the first two floors of the building, with the third and fourth floor areas initially vacant but prepped for future uses that have yet to be determined.

“It could be a partnership with the county, for county offices, affiliated county offices or even from the private sector,” Chiarelli said.

The Public Safety Building, or PSB as officials often call it, shares an entrance with the Winnebago County Courthouse. During the renovation process, the main courthouse entrance will be relocated to 403 Elm St., directly across from the Winnebago County Administration Building.

The renovated structure is intended to be a user-friendly, litigant-focused courthouse that is easy to navigate and responsive to court users needs, officials said.

“This new facility will significantly improve our ability to serve the public as they access one of the highest-volume facets of the court system,” said Judge Joe Bruscato, who presides over the the Family Division and Domestic Violence Coordinated Court. “The thoughtful design incorporates trauma-informed approaches that recognize the importance of safety, while creating an environment that promotes dignity and respect.”

Mayor Tom McNamara said the construction shows the court system is evolving to be more trauma-informed and caring about survivors of domestic violence.

“This renovation project represents a significant investment in downtown Rockford and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to revitalizing our urban core,” McNamara said. “The transformation of this building will not only improve court services for our residents but will also contribute to the continued economic development of our downtown district, creating a more vibrant and accessible city center.”

Jobs, tariffs

Brent Johnson, chairman and CEO of Ringland-Johnson, said looming tariffs could affect the project, especially with lumber that could come from Canada. The Trump Administration has proposed doubling that tariff. A 90-day pause on increased tariffs is set to expire in July.

“We’re doing our best to try to buy and stock items in the country and quickly expedite things to avoid tariffs,” Johnson said.

Ringland-Johnson’s Scott Mutton worked with Zach Enderle of 1919 Architects to design the future space. The project will create 125 construction jobs.

‘”Our team has developed innovative solutions that will maximize the functionality of this space while preserving architectural elements that give the building its character,” Johnson said. “We’re committed to delivering a facility that serves the community efficiently while minimizing disruption during the construction process.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas