Downtown Danville has its David S. Palmer Arena and Robert E. Jones Municipal Building, which are named after two Danville mayors. And now another downtown building has a new name. The Vermilion County Board Tuesday night unanimously approved the Rita B. Garman Vermilion County Courthouse, agreeing to name the courthouse after the local Supreme Court Justice, Garman earlier served as Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.
Former Vermilion County Board Chairman and State Representative Bill Black urged the board to approve the name change. ”I’m not here to tell you what to do. I’m not here to say what you should do, I’m here to suggest something,” said Black during Tuesday night’s County Board meeting. ”I’ve lived here all of my seventy-five years. I’ve seen some great people come and go from Vermilion County. We have a tendency in this county not to recognize certain people who achieve the pinnacle of their career.”
Local Realtor Robert Randall also urged the board to vote yes on the ordinance renaming the courthouse after Justice Garman. ”It is fitting and proper to bestow this honor on her for her numerous contributions. Her unwavering support and loyalty to Vermilion County, for opening the door of opportunity to competent women who may follow, and for her flawless, positive reputation,” said Randall addressing the County Board.
County Board member Deanna Witzel is thrilled that the action honors a woman. ”I’m very excited. This was a unanimous decision, as it should have been. I can’t think of anybody that is more deserving than Justice Rita Garman in this honor. I’m thrilled and honored to be able to vote on that tonight,” said Witzel.
The building will now be known as the Rita B. Garman Vermilion County Courthouse. County Board Chairman Mike Marron says there will be no cost to taxpayers to make the change. He says a local industry – Triguard — is going to help with a plaque and a committee is being formed to look into adding additional signage.
