The Rock Island and Moline preservation societies plan to discuss their options in trying to save the Rock Island County courthouse. Tuesday night, the county board announced plans to vote in July on the possible demolition.
Diann Moore is a member of the Moline Preservation Society. She wants to know, "What's the big hurry? Once you tear it down, it's gone. And none of the materials and workmanship can be restored. That's what makes it so unique."
The preservation societies say other counties in Illinois have worked with developers to renovate their courthouses into apartments, offices, community centers, and other uses.
Moore says the board should let voters decide whether to demolish the courthouse.
She also says the states surrounding Illinois offer historic tax credits to developers who rehabilitate historic properties. Illinois only offers them to projects in five cities: Aurora, East St. Louis, Elgin, Peoria and Rockford.
