Ben Benson, Assistant City Manager, looks over the Joliet City Council chambers, which are under demolition, in Joliet, IL on Wednesday August 15, 2012. The chambers are being remodeled for the first time in more than 40 years. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media
Ben Benson, Assistant City Manager, looks out of the Joliet City Council chambers, which are under demolition, in Joliet, IL on Wednesday August 15, 2012. The chambers are being remodeled for the first time in more than 40 years, and some emergency doors are being added. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media
Eric Gilkerson, center, and Larry Sorg, from Gilkerson Masonry, remove bricks for an emergency door at the Joliet City Hall, which is under construction, in Joliet, IL on Wednesday August 15, 2012. The chambers are being remodeled for the first time in more than 40 years. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media
Ben Benson, Assistant City Manager, looks over the Joliet City Council chambers, which are under demolition, in Joliet, IL on Wednesday August 15, 2012. The chambers are being remodeled for the first time in more than 40 years. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media
Dmitrijus Socius, from Midwest Construction, works inside the Joliet City Council chambers, which are under demolition, in Joliet, IL on Wednesday August 15, 2012. The chambers are being remodeled for the first time in more than 40 years. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media
JOLIET — The $878,000 remodeling of the council chambers is costing about twice what the city originally estimated for the job. Tax dollars are not being used for the project, although the city has initiated a monthly 35-cent fee on Comcast customers that helps pay …
