‘Courtside Plaza’ Selected as Name for New Will County Courthouse Park

The Will County Ad Hoc Courthouse Committee voted Thursday to recommend “Courtside Plaza” as the name for the new downtown Joliet park, following a survey that showed majority support for the designation.

The committee’s decision came after considering several historically-themed alternatives, including a proposal to honor Civil War veterans whose memorial statues will remain in the park. The naming recommendation passed 3-1, with member Sandy Butler voting against it.

During discussion, committee members debated whether to emphasize historical connections in the park’s name. Member Dan Vera advocated for historical recognition, particularly noting the Civil War monuments already present at the site.

“I thought the whole idea was to give it some sort of historical recognition,” Vera said. “We were trying to preserve the history, and with the statues being Civil War statues, it would just kind of go with the theme of the park.”

However, other members expressed reservations about highlighting Civil War connections. “The Civil War era is not the best era in our country,” one member noted. “I would prefer not to name something after something that was not a pleasant time in history.”

The meeting marked the final session for committee chair Janet Diaz, who will leave the County Board in December. Board member Sherry Williams will assume leadership of the committee.

Members reflected on the committee’s bipartisan collaboration throughout the courthouse park project. “From day one…I felt like it was one of the first times that both parties were working together to achieve a goal,” Vera said.

The naming recommendation will advance to the full County Board for final approval.