BENTON, IL — The Franklin County Courthouse on the Benton Square is now one big pile of rubble. Demolition got underway Monday on the structure and will continue for two weeks.

Barriers have been installed around the courthouse to help protect motorists driving around the square and crews working on the demolition. Once demolition is finished, the remainder of August will be used to complete all contract negotiations on construction for the new courthouse, which is set to begin Sept. 1.

The new 46,000 square-foot courthouse is expected to be completed late 2021.