A local architect wants to block the demolition of the Rock Island County courthouse. Last month, Italo Milani of Rock Island filed a complaint in circuit court. And tomorrow, he'll ask a judge to grant a preliminary injunction.
"There's a mess created by the inaction of some members of the county board. My case is about using money meant for construction for destruction."
Milani says it's time for the public to start paying attention and hold the Rock Island County Board responsible for not acting in the best interest of taxpayers. "The situation has gotten so out of hand, I felt someone had to speak for the public. No one was speaking. I'm an architect used to initiating action. So with the years I have left, I'm doing this for the public."
Last week, Rock Island County's Public Building Commission opened bids, and received just one for demolition of $430,000, plus separate bids for asbestos removal and landscaping.
Update: 11/20/2018
This morning, Italo Milano met with Attorney Bill Stengel, who represents Rock Island County's Public Building Commission. Milani says he gave Stengel a copy of his request for a preliminary injunction to prevent the courthouse from being torn down.
Milani also says Judge James Conway was unavailable today. And the next hearing is scheduled for the week of December 10th in Aledo.
In addition, Randy Brockway, who also opposes demolition, says the Public Building Commission has scheduled a meeting for Thursday, November 29th to vote on bids to tear down the courthouse, abate the asbestos in the building, and improve the site with landscaping. WVIK News has not yet verified the meeting.
