Kane County, IL: Adult Justice Center Project

Is it true that when the new Kane County Judicial Center was located at its current site, it was also discussed/confirmed that a new jail (designed to replace the current facility) would eventually be located there as well? If so, are there documents that indicate such a commitment (board resolutions, newspaper articles, etc...)?
In 1989 and 1993 a Master Plan regarding the placement of the Kane County Judicial Center and related components (including a new Kane County Sheriff's Office and Jail) was developed and adopted by the Kane County Board. This Master Plan' placed the new Jail adjacent to the existing Judicial Center. This 'Master Plan and any subsequent decisions or resolutions made by the Kane County Board are available to all Kane County residents. The 1989 study identify future potential court related buildings but did not call out specifically the Jail and Sheriff’s Office. The 1994 study analyzed a number of options that included the location of the Jail and Sheriff’s Office at the Judicial Center site. The 2004 VRJS Study (final report issued in 2005) further analyzed options at the current and judicial center sites. Copies of the 1989, 1994 and VRJS studies are on the WEB site at the following links:
[ 1989 Kane County Judicial Center Master Plan ] [ 1994 County of Kane Master Plan ]
[ 2005 Criminal Justice Planning Project (VRJS Study) ].
Please describe the decision process regarding placing this new jail on the grounds of the Kane County Judicial Center. What factors were used in coming to this conclusion? Why is this the best site?
Three master plans referenced in question 1 were developed over a 15 year period. Each master plan was presented to the Board of County Commissioners for input and approval. Key factors that were used in the master plans was compatibility of uses on the site, ability of the site to accommodate expansion, initial capital costs, long-term operational costs and staffing requirements.
A prime reason for re-locating the new jail to the campus of the judicial center is to "save money on housing inmates elsewhere"...estimated to be $1,890,000 annually. Can the same costs savings be achieved by building a new facility at 777 Fabyan Parkway?
Yes, increasing the number of beds at either site will reduce the need to house inmates in other counties.
Has it already been decided that the jail will be built on Peck Road and Rt. 38? Was there a vote on whether the new jail should be built?
The Board of Commissioners adopted on June 8, 2004, a recommendation to begin the design process to construct a new facility at the Judicial Center site.
Have other sites been considered?
The VRJS study only analyzed facility expansion, renovation and/or new construction at the current site on Fabyan Parkway and the Judicial Center.
How can a jail be a good neighbor?
The following quote is from the National Institute of Corrections Publication Jail Site Evaluation and Selection 2nd Edition:
Modern technology allows new jails to be totally sealed buildings, where outer walls of the building act as the security perimeter. This means that neighbors do not have to see buildings surrounded by fencing and razor ribbon under the glare of intense lighting. The public’s negative reaction to jail construction is fueled by outdated visions of what a jail will look like. Spend the time and effort to develop an accurate image of your modern new jail, using drawings, models or photos of completed modern jails elsewhere.

For further explanation, please see pages 10-12 of the publication Jail Site Evaluation and Selection 2nd Edition.
What economic impact will the jail have on the surrounding areas and home values? Will my property taxes be lowered because of the jail?
The following quote is from the National Institute of Corrections Publication Jail Site Evaluation and Selection 2nd Edition.
The public also fears that jail construction or expansion will depress property values and raise local crime rates. Several studies have been conducted that looked at property values, crime rates, and local economies of communities in the vicinity of correctional facilities to determine what impacts, positive or negative, the facility had in the area. In most cases the studies showed that new jails, if properly designed, do not have adverse impacts on local property values or any other aspect of the community. In a few instances property values decreased in the vicinity of a new correctional facility but his was thought to be due to an already existing trend in real estate values in that area of some other non-facility factor. Some studies reported that crimes rates dropped in areas surrounding new facilities.
For further explanation, please see pages 10-12 of the publication Jail Site Evaluation and Selection 2nd Edition.
Is the proposed jail going to be connected to the current judicial center on the south side of Route 38, or if it was going to be constructed across the street from the judicial center on the north side of Route 38 in the empty farm field?
Currently, the firm of Healy Bender is developing initial concepts for linking the new facility to the Judicial Center. At this time, no plans are being considered for construction on the north side of Route 38.
The FAQ's state the current jail is landlocked, but they don't discuss the amount of space needed for the current facility or the area needed for additions. Where can I find this type of information?
The VRJS 2004 study developed a very preliminary program of space requirements of 337,804 gross square feet (GSF) for a new correctional center. Currently, the County is developing a revised space program for the Correctional Center and the Sheriff’s Office. That document will be finalized by August 2005.