An effort to save the Rock Island County Courthouse has hit a roadblock.
Peoria County 10th Circuit Judge Jodi Hoos dismissed a lawsuit filed to halt demolition of the courthouse. She ruled Rock Island County is exempt from the Historic Resources Preservation Act.
Hoos said Tuesday the decision was not whether it was right or wrong to demolish the courthouse, but to determine if plaintiffs established valid claims under the law and they did not.
Hoos's ruling lifts a temporary restraining order postponing demolition.
The Rock Island County State's Attorney says the Public Building Commission will decide when demolition will take place.
Landmarks Illinois, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Rock Island Preservation Society among other groups filed the lawsuit in February. Landmarks Illinois listed the courthouse, built between 1895 and 1897, on its 2018 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois.
