Ringland Johnson breathes new life into a decade-vacant downtown Rockford landmark

For nearly a decade, this building sat empty after the Rockford Police Department moved out. Some even suggested tearing it down. Instead, Winnebago County saw an opportunity — a chance to breathe new life into a structurally sound and architecturally significant piece of Rockford’s history.

Today, that vision is becoming reality: a fully reimagined Family Court Center, purpose-built to serve families across Winnebago County for years to come.

A Transformation Years in the Making

Construction kicked off in May 2025 with a ceremonial sledgehammer swing into the building’s wall — a fitting start to a project that’s as much about renewal as it is about restoration.

The finished space is designed to be litigant-focused and easy to navigate, built to better serve one of the county’s highest-volume public facilities.

What’s Included in the Transformation

5 new family courtrooms, complete with judges’ chambers
A new main entrance and grand staircase leading to the second floor
Modernized administrative offices
An enhanced Domestic Violence Assistance Center
A reimagined jury assembly room
A welcoming children’s waiting room

By the Numbers

The project carries a price tag of roughly $32 million, with about three-quarters of the funding coming from federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars, paired with Winnebago County’s Capital Improvement Plan budget.

Honoring the Past, Building for the Future

This project is about more than square footage and courtrooms — it’s about giving a historic downtown Rockford building a second life as a modern, welcoming space for the families who rely on it most.

We’re honored to help transform this piece of Rockford’s history into a facility that will serve Winnebago County for generations. Stay tuned for more progress updates as the project moves forward.