Chicago Police Department Area Court Room Security Upgrade

Level-1 designed secure, converged infrastructure for the 111th Street Courthouse, upgrading courtroom, detention, and law enforcement systems.

Originally constructed in 1980, the 111th Street Cook County Branch Courthouse had seen minimal upgrades to its systems, finishes, and infrastructure. Home to the Circuit Court, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chicago Police Department, the building faced outdated wiring, insufficient security systems, and disconnected communications networks. Recognizing the need for modernization, the Cook County Department of Capital Planning and Policy launched a facility-wide security and technology upgrade to strengthen judicial operations and public safety. 

Level-1 Global Solutions was selected as the low-voltage technology partner for this critical transformation. As a minority-certified firm with deep expertise in law enforcement, corrections, and justice-sector infrastructure, we brought both the technical precision and inter-agency coordination required for a project of this complexity. Our design scope aligned with the County’s three-phase approach- Program Analysis, Construction Documentation, and Construction Administration, while exceeding the performance benchmarks laid out in the RFP. 

We proposed a converged, future-ready infrastructure that reinforces courtroom confidentiality, streamlines detention operations, and ensures uninterrupted mobility and communications across secured zones. From courtroom video and law enforcement networks to DAS, access control, and public Wi-Fi, our systems are configured to support both mission-critical operations and long-term adaptability. 

What We Proposed 

• Engineering, design, and implementation of Category 6A structured cabling and fiber backbone 
• VLAN-enabled converged network architecture with secure segmentation for judicial, detention, and law enforcement workflows 
• Surveillance camera systems, access control, intercoms, and server-based recording infrastructure 
• Wi-Fi 6E and DAS systems supporting secure wireless mobility for first responders and public areas 
• Technology planning coordinated with architectural and MEP teams, ensuring seamless integration 
• Adherence to CJIS, BICSI 007, and NFPA codes for compliance, security, and energy-efficient system design 
• Phased project oversight including schematic design, construction documentation, bidding, and on-site administration 

The 111th Street Branch Courthouse will then operate on an infrastructure designed not just to meet today’s requirements, but to anticipate tomorrow’s threats and complexities. By replacing patchwork systems with a unified, security-first framework, Level-1 will help transform a fragmented facility into a tightly integrated environment, one that supports real-time law enforcement coordination, courtroom efficiency, and secure public access. Thus, re-establishing the courthouse’s operational foundation, enabling it to function as a high-performance node in Cook County’s broader justice network.