Lake County board approves loan for courthouse project

The Lake County Board on Tuesday approved a proposal to borrow up to $90 million to expand the main courthouse in downtown Waukegan and the juvenile justice center near Vernon Hills. A new nine-story tower on the south side of Washington Street near County Street, between the courthouse and the county jail, would be the centerpiece of the project. The first element to be built likely will be a tunnel beneath Washington Street that will be used for prisoner transportation between the courthouse and the jail. Officials insist the loan won’t increase property-tax bills.