Cook County Completes Courthouse Wireless Connectivity Project, Expanding Access Across Court Facilities

Cook County officials today announced the completion of a comprehensive courthouse wireless connectivity project that concluded in November, significantly improving Wi-Fi signal strength and reliability across courthouse facilities countywide.

As part of the project, crews installed approximately 1,000 wireless access points to eliminate dead zones and strengthen wireless coverage throughout court buildings.

The initiative was a collaborative effort between the Illinois Supreme Court, Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County and County offices under President Toni Preckwinkle, including the Department of Facilities Management and the Bureau of Technology.

“Reliable internet connectivity is essential for a modern and accessible justice system,” President Preckwinkle 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 said the improved connectivity supports the Court’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, efficiency and public trust.

“Our courthouses serve thousands of people every day, and dependable connectivity is no longer a convenience — it is a necessity,” Chief Judge Beach said. “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.”

In 2022, the Office of the Chief Judge applied for and received approximately $833,000 in funding from the Illinois Supreme Court, through its Court Technology Modernization Program, to expand Wi-Fi coverage and improve access to justice across all courthouses countywide. These funds were used by the County to purchase the wireless access point equipment, while the County itself covered the costs for the related conduit, cabling and installation expenses.

Effective immediately, users connecting to the “CC_Private” and “CC_Guest” networks will experience broader coverage and stronger signal strength throughout courthouse buildings.

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