Cook County has completed a project to enhance wireless connectivity in courthouse facilities throughout the county, officials announced. The initiative, which finished in November, aimed to address weak signal areas and improve overall Wi-Fi reliability in court buildings.
The project involved installing about 1,000 new wireless access points to remove dead zones and provide stronger coverage for staff and visitors. This work was carried out through collaboration among the Illinois Supreme Court, the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and various county offices under President Toni Preckwinkle. Departments involved included Facilities Management and the Bureau of Technology.
President Toni Preckwinkle highlighted the importance of this upgrade: “Reliable internet connectivity is essential for a modern and accessible justice system,” she said. “This upgrade provides a direct public benefit, ensuring that everyone entering our courthouses — from prospective jurors fulfilling their civic duty to the judges, clerks and attorneys working on cases — has the stable connection needed to operate efficiently.”
Chief Judge Charles S. Beach also commented on how improved connectivity aligns with efforts to ensure accessibility and efficiency in court operations. “Our courthouses serve thousands of people every day, and dependable connectivity is no longer a convenience — it is a necessity,” he stated. “This project strengthens our ability to conduct court business efficiently, improves access for court users and reflects our shared commitment to operating a modern court system that meets the needs of the public we serve.”
Funding for purchasing wireless equipment came from an $833,000 grant awarded by the Illinois Supreme Court’s Court Technology Modernization Program after an application from the Office of the Chief Judge in 2022. The County funded related installation costs such as conduit and cabling.
With these improvements now active, those using courthouse Wi-Fi networks labeled “CC_Private” or “CC_Guest” should notice more consistent coverage across all courthouse spaces.
