ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) — Officials are preparing to empty Winnebago County's public safety building ahead of a demolition expected to cost about $1 million.

The Rockford Register Star reports the Rockford Police Department and Winnebago County Coroner's officer are set to vacate the building by January. The county is getting ready take bids for the demolition.

County board chairman Scott Christiansen says annual operating costs are too expensive to stay in the outdated building. He says the expenses totaled $1.7 million last year, and not even half the building is in use. He says cost savings from the demolition will pay for other county renovation projects within a few years.

Rockford police will move into three area buildings. County Coroner Sue Fiduccia says she's not sure where the morgue will be located after the demolition.

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