Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The courtroom on the first floor of the Sangamon County Complex used for traffic court has officially been renovated.

Officials formally opened the courtroom Tuesday.  It’s larger and has more seating and has all the technology needed to try cases.  Plus, the first floor access is expected to be good for all, according to Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White.

“I immediately thought of the words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior.  In his writing ‘Letter from a Birmingham Jail,’ Dr. King said, ‘Justice too long delayed, is justice denied,'” said White.  “He was stressing the importance of those who have been legally wronged receiving redress in a timely and fair manner.  The addition of this courtroom is a shining example of the concept of access to justice.”

Also among the changes is what’s next to the courtroom.

“It’s an exciting day of opening not just this courtroom, but our new payment center.  It’s right next door,” said Joe Roesch, Sangamon County Circuit Clerk.  The payment center is expected to accept traffic fines, but also fines imposed in felony cases.

The renovations cost $250,000, and are part of a larger series of renovations throughout the Sangamon County Complex.

7th Circuit Chief Judge Ryan Cadigan says he loves a good courtroom, even the new ones.

“No matter how big or small the community, I always enjoy seeing a new courtroom for the first time,” said Cadigan.  “Some are 100 year old cathedrals.  Some are brand new, on the cutting edge of modern technology.  But what they have in common is that they are the rooms and places where the community has decided where conflicts will be resolved.”