ROCKFORD, Ill. — The fence around a local courthouse has been removed.

13 WREX's Derek Bayne reports that the fencing around the Rockford federal courthouse on S. Church Street was taken down on Wednesday night.

The removal of the fence ends a month-and-a-half-long saga that began when the fence was put up on Sept. 6 .

Illinois lawmakers wrote to the Department of Homeland Security asking for the reason behind the fence on Sept. 8. They also asked how much the fence cost, how long it would be there, and if state or local officials were told when it went up.

The permit for the fence was then extended on Sept. 18. That permit expired on Oct. 3.

The permit was then re-extended until Oct. 22, 13 WREX confirms.

The reason for the fence is still unknown.

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