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Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant issues executive order regarding federal immigration enforcement actions on county property

Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant has issued an executive order creating restrictions on the use of county property for immigration enforcement staging areas. The order also established guidelines for immigration enforcement actions on county property and provides guidance on referring residents to legal resources.  Press release regarding the executive order from the Will County Executive's website "Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant has issued an executive order that clarifies how county government will respond to increased federal immigration enforcement actions. The order creates restrictions on the use of county property for immigration enforcement staging areas, establishes guidelines for immigration enforcement actions on county property, and provides guidance on referring residents to legal resources and temporary visas available to crime victims. “I am deeply concerned about reports I am receiving about federal immigration activity occurring l...
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NASCAR returns to Joliet Chicagoland Speedway July 2026

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NASCAR announced on August 20, 2025 that racing will return to Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway in 2026.  The NASCAR cup series is scheduled to race in Joliet on July 5, 2026. The last NASCAR race in Joliet was in 2019.  View of Chicagoland Speedway in 2011:
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July 3, 2025 Fireworks along Des Plaines River at Bicentennial Park in Joliet

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  Joliet's Bicentennial Park will host its annual Independence Day celebration on July 3, 2025.  Festivities kick off at 6:00 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. over the Des Plaines River.  Check out the Park's Facebook  page for more info here .  Fireworks in downtown Joliet More views of Joliet:
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Archdiocese of Chicago to Celebrate Pope Leo XIV at Rate Field

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 The Archdiocese of Chicago has announced a special event at Rate Field on June 14th, 2025 to celebrate Pope Leo XIV.   According to the Archdiocese, the event will feature a video greeting from Pope Leo XIV that will contain a special message for the young people of the world.  Gates will open at 12:30 p.m., with a program at 2:30 p.m. and a Mass at 4:00 p.m..  More details about the event will be posted at the Archdiocese website here .  Pope Leo XIV grew up in suburban Dolton and attended St. Mary of the Assumption parish, which is now closed.  Video of the Pope's childhood parish:
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Illinois House of Representatives Passes Bill Banning Native American Mascots in K-12 Schools

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  House Bill 1237 passed the Illinois House of Representatives on April 10, 2025 by a vote of 71-40. The bill amends the Illinois School code by requiring school boards to prohibit a school from "from using a native name, logo, or mascot, except as provided in subsections (c) and (e)." Subsection (c), (d), (e): You can read the full bill here , Amendment 4  was adopted and passed on April 10, 2025.  The bill now goes to the Illinois Senate for consideration. Local schools that would be impacted by this bill include Channahon Jr. High and Chaney-Monge District 88.    
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Illinois Department of Public Health Launches Measles Outbreak Simulation Dashboard

  The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has published a website where members of the public can view measles vaccination rates by school.  The website allows for filtering schools by county. IDPH released the following press release about the website on April 9, 2025: " SPRINGFIELD  – With cases of measles being reported in more than 20 jurisdictions around the United States, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has unveiled a new data dashboard to help school officials and members of the public assess the potential severity of any outbreaks of measles, should one occur in Illinois. The new   Measles Outbreak Simulator Dashboard   makes it easy for the public to find out the measles vaccination rate in any school in Illinois, public or private, and to determine the risk of a child being exposed to measles if a case is introduced in their school. Illinois has had no reported cases of measles since an  outbreak in Chicago in early 2024 ...
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Spring Bike Event with Bike Recycling Opportunity

 The Forest Preserve District of Will County will hold a "Spring Biking Kickoff" on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 10:00 am to noon at  Prairie Bluff Preserve . According to the event website :  "The weather is warming, and the trails are calling! Come out to Prairie Bluff to get your bike ready for the season and learn about basic maintenance and repair from our partners at REI. Staff from the Orland Park Co-op bike shop and the Forest Preserve will be at the Prairie Bluff Shelter presenting on bicycle maintenance and trail recreation and safety in the preserves. Participants can visit the shelter for the presentation and get swag, trail maps and safety materials then hit the trail for some prairie views to kick off the season!  Have a bicycle you’re no longer using? Bring a Recycle Your Bicycle delivery for us to pass along to  Working Bikes (Opens in a new window) , an organization that refurbishes and distributes bikes locally and globally as tools of empower...
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