(BENTON, IL) — The first of several meetings to inform Franklin County voters about the need for a new courthouse in Benton are set to take place Thursday night. The first meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Benton High School board office. The second meeting will follow at 7 p.m. at the Thompsonville School Board office. County leaders recently approved placing a referendum on the April ballot asking voters if they want to finance construction of a new courthouse by using a one percent sales tax specifically for public facilities for the period required to pay for a new courthouse of around 60,000 square feet. If the referendum is approved, the sales tax increase would last for 20 years with money collected going toward construction. The current courthouse is over 140 years old with an addition that was constructed in the 1980s. The facility has several needs and issues that only a new courthouse could solve. You can see that list at franklincountyil.gov/salestax. A site for the new courthouse has not been determined at this time, but county officials are hoping to have it close to the present site on the Benton Square.