Peoria County courtrooms reopen after February flooding

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) - All of Peoria County's judges are back in their courtrooms nearly nine months after a pipe burst causing water damage.

The (Peoria) Journal Star reports (http://bit.ly/1NpssRv) that judges returned Monday. A pipe burst in February and flooded three courtrooms. Courtrooms 222 and 322 at the Peoria County Courthouse opened Monday. Courtroom 123 was repaired within a month. Renovations cost about $479,000.

County Administrator Scott Sorrel said the renovations took longer than anticipated. He said the judges' patience was appreciated.

Judge Mark Giles has had courtrooms in different rooms and even in Pekin.

The renovations included new sound systems, improved technology and in one courtroom a wheelchair-accessible jury box.

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Information from: Journal Star, http://pjstar.com