In an article for The Western Architect, Eric Edwin Hall wrote that his vision for the Cook County Courthouse had only “One problem. The care of American court procedure in all of its ramifications” (Hall 155). In the words of its very own architect, the new courthouse was purposely designed to stand as a symbol for the restoration of justice in Chicago. And as initially seemed to be the case, Hall really did mean that the building's "one problem" was in respect to serving justice. Its design was not only grandiose and impressive, but it had also saved the city of Chicago a significant amount of money for a building of its scope.

In a review of the courthouse after its opening in 1929, architect and professor Ralph W. Hammett explains, "The way the whole transaction was handled left no margin for graft; for, believe it or not, the buildings were built for fifty cents per cubic foot and they are not cheap buildings. They are efficiently planned, well constructed and complete in every detail” (Hammett 156). This was much in part thanks to the city's decision to build the courthouse outside of Chicago's downtown district, where there was not only much more space to allow for further construction, but also where the land was significantly cheaper. Hammett summarizes his argument by explaining that the estate on which the courthouse was built had "Saved the tax payers at least a million dollars” (156). The courthouse was praised for achieving this feat, especially considering the magnitude and impressiveness of its design. Even to this day, its majestic aesthetic still receives much acclaim. After taking a tour of the courthouse, freelance writer Kate Silver recollects that it was a "Gorgeous building with marble floors, intricate woodworking, granite columns and more … There’s something elegant and even poetic about the extreme attention to detail” (Silver). The grandeur of its neoclassical style, complemented by the intricate details of its classically-influenced decorations both contribute to its architectural praise.

But although the Cook County Courthouse saved taxpayers substantial money and was seen as an accomplished architectural feat, its isolated location has attracted a mixed reception. In his same review of the building, Hammett acknowledges that “It is a debatable question whether it is more advantageous to house criminals in congested areas near business and to conduct courts in the hub-bub of city life, or to remove this type of activity to more quiet neighborhoods. At any rate, right or wrong, Cook County’s new Criminal Court is far out of Chicago’s congested area” (156). As stated earlier, the decision to remove the courthouse from downtown Chicago was decision made with social and financial concerns kept it mind. At the time of its proposal, it was generally agreed that removing the image of criminal affairs from the center of Chicago would give the city a cleaner reputation. As time went by, however, its isolation has placed it under a certain controversy. With a location difficult to access for citizens and officials alike, many have deemed that the public's involvement in criminal justice would be negatively affected. In an article she wrote about this very topic, journalist Katy Welter explains that the courthouse's "Location is so bereft of hospitality … Putting a court in an undesirable and hard-to-reach location is bound to affect participation of not only defendants, but also witnesses, jurors, advocates and others” (Welter). And in recent years, this, among other issues, has proved to be the case.

Sources:

Hall, Eric E. "Cook County's Criminal Court and Jail in the Making." The Western Architect 38.9 (1929): 155. Google. The Western Architect Publishing Company, 30 Oct. 2009. Web.

Hammett, Ralph W., A.I.A. "The New Cook County Criminal Court and Jail Buildings." The Western Architect 38.9 (1929): 156-158. Google. The Western Architect Publishing Company, 30 Oct. 2009. Web.

Silver, Kate. “Jail Bait: Touring the Cook County Courthouse and Jail.” The Kate Silver’s Very Important Blog. WordPress, 17 Oct. 2011. Web.

Welter, Katy. "A Remote Courthouse Leaves Many Chicagoans Far From Justice." Next City. 6 Feb. 2013. Web.