Will County News

For results in the November 5, 2024 election for the 49th Illinois State Senate District between Meg Loughran Cappel and Katie Deane-Schlottman, go here for Kendall County results and here for Will County results. Election night results are unofficial and will not include all mailed and provisional ballots.

  To view results in the November 5, 2024 election between Harry Benton and Gabby Shanahan in the 97th Illinois State House of Representatives District, go: here for Will County results here for Kendall County results Election night results are unofficial and won't include all mailed and provisional ballots.

  For results in the November 5, 2024 election between Jackie Haas and William "Billy" Morgan in the 79th Illinois House District, go: here for Cook County results here for Will County results here for Kankakee County results here for Grundy County results Election night results are unofficial and will not include all mailed and provisional ballots. 

  For results in the November 5, 2024 election for the 40th Illinois State Senate District, go: here for Will County Results here for Kankakee County Results here for Cook County Results here for Grundy County Results Please remember election night results are unofficial and will not include all mailed and provisional ballots.

  For results in the November 5, 2024 election for Will County Coroner Between Laurie Summers and Robert Enright, go to the Will County Clerk's Election Results page here . Please remember that election night results are unofficial and do not include all mailed and provisional ballots.

  For results in the November 5, 2024 election between Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and Chuck Maher for Will County Executive, go to the Will County Clerk's election results page here . Election night results are unofficial and do not include all mailed and provisional ballots.

Union Pacific Railroad's Big Boy 4014 Steam Engine will travel through eastern Will County on Monday, September 9, 2024.  The trip is part of Union Pacific's Heartland of America Tour . Big Boy 4014 visited Illinois in 2019, when tens of thousands lined its route to catch a glimpse of the steam engine: The steam engine is scheduled to depart Rochelle's Railroad Park at 9:00 a.m. and arrive at Watseka at 5:00 p.m..  You can track Big Boy 4014 at Union Pacific's Steam Locomotive Tracking Map.   The Steam Engine will pass through Crete and Beecher before continuing south towards Watseka.

  The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) released a press release on August 8, 2024 announcing lane closures on the Cass Street bridge over the Des Plaines River in downtown Joliet starting on August 12, 2024.   Joliet's rolling lift bridges over the Des Plaines River downtown are kept busy with frequent barge trips on the river, as seen here .  IDOT stated the reason for the lane closures is corrosion of the bridge's structural steel. IDOT press release from August 8, 2024: " The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that the Cass Street (U.S. 30) bridge over the Des Plaines River, in Joliet, will be reduced from three lanes to one indefinitely beginning, weather permitting, Monday, Aug. 12. The lane closures are due to corrosion of the structural steel on portions of the bridge, discovered during a recent evaluation. The current posted weight restrictions on the bridge will remain in place. A project to rehabilitate the bridge is anticipated to

 Lion Electric announced their operating and financial results for the second quarter of the 2024 earnings year on July 31, 2024. The company also announced an "Action Plan" to reach profitability.  Action plan items of relevance to Joliet include: - "a reduction of the Company's workforce by 30% (representing approximately 300 employees) across Canada and the United States and impacting all areas of the organization, which is expected to be implemented over the upcoming days and will result in mostly temporary lay offs (such initiative being expected to result in annualized costs savings for the Company of up to approximately $25 million, assuming that employees temporarily laid off are not re-hired);" -a process to optimize usage of the Company's facilities, including the potential sublease of a significant portion of its Joliet Facility and certain experience centers throughout Canada and the United States;"

  Strong storms blew down power lines near the Exxon Mobil Refinery onto Interstate 55 late Monday night.  I-55 is still closed and according to this morning's post from the Illinois State Police Troop 3's Facebook page, (below) will remain closed for 12 to 24 hours: Last night, the Village of Elwood also posted on their Facebook page that the downed power lines caused the ExxonMobil oil refinery to lose power.  The plant " lost power and had to release via the flare stacks. They are not able to quell the odor without  power."

Bicentennial Park in Joliet will celebrate with music before fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on July 3, 2024 along the Des Plaines River. Go to the Park's Facebook page here for full details. Fireworks along the Des Plaines River in Joliet

On July 1, 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announced that the District and the States of Illinois and Michigan had signed a partnership agreement for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project.   The Brandon Road Lock and Dam,  shown partially in the video below, is viewed as a critical pinch point for stopping invasive carp from entering Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes: The signed partnership agreement "allows $274 million in federal funding, including $226 million provided by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and $114 million in state funding to be used for construction of the first of three construction increments of the $1.15 billion project designed to prevent the upstream movement of aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes" according to the Army Corps' press release . The Brandon Road Interbasin Project will consist of acoustic and electric deterrents, along with a leading edge bubbler and a flushing lock, according to

The Will County Health Department has confirmed a second positive measles case in Will County.   The Department has also shared that the Ascension St. Joseph Hospital Emergency Department was a site where possible exposure may have occurred on April 2nd between 1:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.. Full release from the health department: " The Will County Health Department’s Communicable Disease staff is working to collect additional details to identify and notify people that may have been exposed to measles, provide education, and recommend appropriate measures. Additionally, the WCHD is in close contact with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) as the active investigation continues. The WCHD has identified the following public location where possible exposure may have occurred. Members of the public who were at the following location at the listed date and time may have been exposed: Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital – Emergency Department  (333 Madison St. – Joliet, IL 60435) –

  The Will County Health Department confirmed a positive measles case in Will County and provided this additional information : "The Will County Health Department has confirmed a positive case of measles in Will County. The Will County Health Department’s Communicable Disease staff is working to collect additional details to identify and notify people that may have been exposed to measles, provide education, and recommend appropriate measures. Additionally, the Will County Health Department is in close contact with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) as the investigation continues. Case investigation has determined this case is related to the ongoing situation in the City of Chicago. “Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others against measles,” said Muneeza Azher, Will County’s Communicable Disease Program Manager. “If you are not vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to get the vaccine. If you are unsure whether you’ve been vaccinated, ask your healthc

  On March 20, 2024, Wilmington Mayor Ben Dietz announced the Joliet Area Historical purchased the Gemini Giant at auction and immediately donated it to the City of Wilmington. The Museum used funds from an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant supported by State Representative Anthony DeLuca. Mayor Dietz stated in preparing for the auction, he met with representatives of the Joliet Area Historical Museum, a local group raising funds to keep the Giant in Wilmington on GoFundMe, and the Wilmington VFW.   Members of the group shared the goal of ensuring the Gemini Giant would remain in Wilmington. Immediately after the auction concluded, the City and technical experts from the American Giants Museum safely moved the Giant to a trailer and transported it to a safe location.  Many people turned out to witness this historic event: The Mayor also announced plans to place the Giant on public parkland near the entrance to South Island Park, which is along historic Rout

  For results in the March 19, 2024 Lockport Township High School District 205 Referendum in Will County, go to the Will County Clerk's page   here . The referendum question will  read : "Shall the Board of Education of Lockport Township High School District Number 205, Will County, Illinois, alter, repair, renovate, equip and improve the site of the Lockport Township High School Central Campus, including preserving and protecting the exterior of the building, Veterans Foyer and main gym, replacing and improving HVAC and major mechanical systems, renovating and updating instructional areas and classrooms and improving accessibility to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $85,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?" Please remember that election night results are unofficial and will not include all mailed and provisional votes.

 For results in the March 19, 2024 Primary Election in Will County, go to the Will County Clerk's page here . Please remember that election night results are unofficial and will not include all mailed and provisional votes.

  Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Corrections have announced the Governor's budget proposal will include funds to rebuild Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill.  The budget proposal also includes funds to rebuild Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln.  Funding for the rebuilding is included in the budget proposal before the General Assembly. View of Stateville: Read the full announcement from the Governor's office : "Chicago— Today Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) announced plans to dedicate capital funds to rebuild Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln and Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, addressing critical infrastructure needs at both facilities. The funding is included in the capital proposal the governor presented the General Assembly as part of his FY25 budget proposal. The capital investments will begin to address years of disinvestment in facilities built almost a century ago, sa

  Voters in the Lockport Township High School District 205 will see a referendum question on their March 19, 2024 Primary Election ballot. The referendum question will read : "Shall the Board of Education of Lockport Township High School District Number 205, Will County, Illinois, alter, repair, renovate, equip and improve the site of the Lockport Township High School Central Campus, including preserving and protecting the exterior of the building, Veterans Foyer and main gym, replacing and improving HVAC and major mechanical systems, renovating and updating instructional areas and classrooms and improving accessibility to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $85,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?" The Central Campus is used as a freshman center for students entering the district from "seven feeder schools and two private schools", according to a District referendum website.  The D

  Voters in the Peotone Park District will see a Peotone Park District Referendum question on their March 19, 2024 Primary Ballot. The question on the ballot will read: "Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the Peotone Park District, Will County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.0547% above the limiting rate for levy year 2022 to maintain, improve and protect parks and for other park purposes and be equal to 0.1796% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2024? The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $137,112, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $197,160. For the 2024 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $18. If the

  Demolition is progressing on the old Will County Courthouse in Joliet.  More of the exterior walls have been removed on the side of the courthouse facing Jefferson Street and more of the structural beams are exposed:

  The U.S. Forest Service is sharing news that prescribed burning of the prairie will take place at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie this spring.   Prescribed burn at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.  Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service. Press release regarding Spring 2024 prescribed burning at Midewin: "WILMINGTON, Ill. (March 4, 2024) – The USDA Forest Service will be conducting prescribed burns throughout Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (NTP) during the spring of 2024. These prescribed burns generally happen between now and the beginning of May. Where and when these burns occur will be dependent on factors such as wind speed and direction, temperature, relative humidity, and smoke dispersion. Trailhead kiosks and the visitors center have more specific information on when specific areas will be burned, usually the day before. All prescribed fire projects will be conducted in accordance with an approved burn plan to ensure the safety of people and property in the area.

The Wilmington VFW Post is joining the local effort to keep the Gemini Giant in Wilmington.  The statue is up for online bid at the Grafe Auction website . Wilmington's VFW Post 5422 posted to their Facebook page on March 8, 2024 that: " The Wilmington VFW Post 5422 along with Save the Gemini Giant have teamed up to make an effort to keep the Gemini Giant in Wilmington and relocate it 1 mile west on Route 66 to the VFW.  We need your help. "   Read the full post here . The Gemini Giant has greeted Route 66 travelers to Wilmington for decades:

  As of 9:00 a.m. Friday March 8 2024, online bidding for the historic Gemini Giant stands at $45,000.  The statue is up for online bid at the Grafe Auction website . The Gemini Giant has greeted Route 66 travelers to Wilmington for decades:

  The historic Gemini Giant statue is up for online bid at the Grafe Auction website . The Gemini Giant is a familiar site for travelers along historic Route 66 and has sat for decades outside the Launching Pad restaurant.  As of the  morning of March 7, 2024, the bidding sat at $42,550.  

The Will County Board will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, March 5th at 10:45 a.m. "to enforce Resolution 24-27 that was signed by the Will County Executive", according to a press release by the Board: Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant  released a statement that the resolution was signed in error and it was never the Executive's intent to deliver the signed resolution to the County Clerk.  Full Statement of the County Executive: "Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant today vetoed Will County Board Resolution #24-27, concerning the expansion of 143rd Street between State Street/Lemont Road and Bell Road.   Incorrect reports have been made publicly that the County Executive signed and delivered this resolution with the intent to make it effective. While the resolution was signed in error, the County Executive did not authorize delivery to the Clerk’s Office as it was never the County Executive's intention to return a signed resolution to t

 The Joliet Park District announced it will sell the Splash Station water park property on Route 6.   The announcement included a quote from Park District President Sue Gulas: “When the demographics of Rt. 6 began to quickly change in a short time, Splash Station saw a drastic decline in attendance resulting in vast revenue loss for several years in a row. While we fully understand that there were residents who loved the water park and relied on it for summertime family fun, unfortunately that number was a very small percentage of the total residents in the area.  As a park district it is our job to provide activities and settings for residents to “take time for fun”, concentrate on their health and wellness or just enjoy what the Joliet Park District has to offer to the community. Sometimes, there are things offered to the community that produce a break-even status and that’s ok if we’ve provided a well-received activity. Not everything has to generate huge revenue, but we could not

 Exterior demolition has begun on the concrete building that used to serve as the Will County Courthouse. The courthouse was built in 1969 and was designed by Otto Stark.  To read more about the history of the courthouse and efforts to preserve the building, visit this Landmarks Illinois article here .

Citing changes including a reduced number of incoming priests, an aging population of priests, and costs associated with maintaining historic church buildings, Joliet Bishop announced a "targeted restructuring decision" for parishes in Joliet.  The decision grouped parishes and then determined which buildings would remain as worship sites and which building would close.  For the grouping consisting of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Joseph (in Joliet rather than Rockdale)  St. Bernard, St. Mary Magdalene, and St. Anthony, it was determined: -Our Lady of Mount Carmel will remain in its current structure. -The remaining parishes will be merged into one with two worship sites, St. Mary Magdalene and St. Joseph. -St. Bernard and St. Anthony will close.  A view of St. Joseph Church in downtown Joliet:  https://youtube.com/shorts/6aLZFJvxVDU?si=ESw5nbVcM7Xg_IdT For the grouping consisting of  St. Paul the Apostle, St. Jude, St. Patrick, Sacred Heart and St. Joseph (Rockdale), it wa

  The Will County Emergency Management Agency reported on Jan. 17, 2024 on its Facebook page that the warm water siphon from the Dresden Nuclear Power Plant Cooling Pond has been activated.  The siphon moves warmer water from the cooling pond to the Kankakee River to "reduce risk factors associated with ice jams." The release of warm water from the cooling ponds is regulated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, since fish are impacted by water temperature.  The Will County Emergency Management Agency also posted on January 17, 2024 that: "The City of Wilmington IL and the Will County Emergency Management Agency are advising residents of potential flash flood conditions due to ongoing ice jams on the Kankakee River. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until temperatures rise above freezing and the river ice has fully melted. "  

  Gotion, Inc., which recently announced it will open an electric battery manufacturing facility at the old Kmart warehouse location in Manteno, Illinois, will hold two job fairs at Kankakee Community College on January 17 and 18th, 2024.   Go to the College's website here for more info.

 The Joliet City Council passed an ordinance regulating unscheduled intercity bus drop offs at their first Council meeting of 2024.   The ordinance was drafted after buses carrying asylum seekers attempted to drop off passengers at several suburban communities in Will County during the last weeks of December 2023.  The ordinance establishes rules related to drop offs and establishes penalties.  You can read the ordinance and watch Council debate on the ordinance here .