Kankakee County Courthouse listed in National Register of Historic Places

KANKAKEE - The Kankakee County Courthouse at 450 E. Court Street in Kankakee was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on March 7, 2007 by the National Park Service.

 

            "This prominent building in the center of Kankakee has witnessed just about every historically significant event in the community for nearly 100 years," said Robert Coomer, director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which administers the National Register program in Illinois.  "This is a prestigious recognition for Kankakee County."

 

            "The Kankakee County Courthouse has provided beautiful scenery and has served as a historical landmark to the local community for almost 100 years.  To be added to the National Register of Historic Places puts the courthouse among some of the nation's greatest examples of architecture," said Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson (D-40^th District).  "With this honor, I am personally proud that others outside of Illinois recognize the greatness of the structure and the rich history that has occurred within its walls." 

 

            "It is exciting that such a distinguished building in our district has been added to the National Register of Historic Places," said State Rep. Lisa Dugan (D - Kankakee).  "The courthouse is an integral part of our local community and I am pleased to hear of this great acknowledgement."

 

            The current Kankakee County Courthouse was constructed from 1909-1912.  It is the third courthouse to occupy the same site, and is an excellent example of Beaux Arts architecture which was prevalent from 1885-1930.  It was deemed historically significant because of its longstanding connection to the county's history.    

 

"I am extremely pleased that the Kankakee County Courthouse is now on the National Register of Historic Places," said Kankakee Mayor Don Green.  "This building is the very foundation of our county and of course the City of Kankakee.  It plays a significant role in this city's 150-plus year history."

 

"I was happy to hear the news that the courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places," said Sam Nicholos, chair of the Development and Operations Committee of the Kankakee County Board.  "It's the center and heart of our community and it's important that its historical significance will be known not just in Kankakee County but the rest of the United States."

 

For more information on the National Register of Historic Places program in Illinois, visit www.Illinois-History.gov/PS/historicplaces.htm.