FRANKLIN COUNTY — The Franklin County Board is expected to approve White and Borgognoni Architects of Carbondale as the architect for the new Franklin County Courthouse project in Benton when it meets tonight at 6 at the Campbell Building on the Benton Square.

The county board recently met with a few architectural firms regarding the project that is expected to get underway later this year.

County Board members are also expected to accept the resignation of Franklin County State’s Attorney Evan Owens.

Owens was recently appointed as an associate judge of the Second Judicial Circuit. It is made up of 12 southern Illinois counties including Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Wayne and White. It’s not known at this time when the Board will name Owens’ replacement. Owens has served as State’s Attorney in Franklin County since 2010.