05.04.11

Durbin and Manzullo Express Concern Over Delay of Rockford Courthouse Opening in Meeting with GSA Administrator

Members urged Administrator to expedite completion

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today met with the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA), Martha Johnson, to express their concerns over reports that the opening of the Roszkowski Courthouse in Rockford, Illinois will be delayed until mid-September due to the need to address poor workmanship. Durbin and Manzullo urged Johnson to do everything possible to safely expedite the process while ensuring the highest quality construction. Representatives from GSA are scheduled to conduct a walk-through of the building with the Court on Friday, May 6th.

 

“It is disappointing that, due to some quality issues, the Rockford Courthouse can’t open as scheduled,” said Durbin. “I’ve worked with Congressman Manzullo throughout this entire process and will continue to do so. Administrator Johnson assured both of us that they will issue a new timeline for completion of the Courthouse and work quickly to move the project forward.”

 

Durbin and Manzullo succeeded in securing the federal funds necessary to construct the new Rockford courthouse – a total of more than $99 million. The existing Rockford courthouse was built more than 30 years ago. It is filled to capacity and has structural problems that would be prohibitively expensive to repair and impede the efficient functioning of the court. In addition, the lack of a separate prisoner entrance compromises security at the facility.