County officials break ground for new jail
By Aaron Ottis
The Jersey County Star
JERSEYVILLE – Led by Jersey County Board Chair Pam Heitzig and Sheriff Mark Kallal, a group of local officials broke ground on the new $3.5-million Jersey County Jail Thursday.

Up to $3.5 million in Public Safety Special County Retailers’ Occupation Tax Alternative Revenue Source Bonds will pay for the jail. The funds will pay for a new county jail and correctional facility, and other related improvements including a new chiller for the courthouse.

The new facility is expected to open in August 2009.

“It has been a collaborative effort with the County Board, Sheriff’s Department, Probation Department and the State’s Attorney to ensure we had a Sheriff’s Department and jail complex that meets our needs,” Heitzig said following the brief ceremony.

The Jersey County Jail currently sits at the corner of Washington Street and West Exchange Street, on the same property of the courthouse. The existing jail will serve as part of the new facility, and the main entrance will remain on Washington Street. Additions will allow the building to expand to the north, west and south, with most of the new construction coming on the west side of the current building. Parking for the jail and the courthouse will remain to the west.

The plan calls for a connection between the courthouse and the jail to improve safety during inmate.

Jun Construction is serving as the general contractor.

GROUNDBREAKING - Members of the Jersey County Board and representatives of Jun Construction and AAIC, Inc. architets, broke ground Thursday for the new Jersey County jail addition. Taking part were, from the left, county board members Ken Breden, Larry Keller, Donna Moore, Brad Jun, county board chairman Pam Heitzig, Dick Brown, Sheriff Mark Kallal and Mark Niemeyer, AAIC, Inc. Work has already started on the new addition. Below is the current jail. Aaron Ottis/thejcstar.com