Will County News

Public Meeting on Redevelopment of Collins Street Prison

2012-01-17T18:55:00.000-08:00

The City of Joliet is seeking input from real estate experts, citizens, and the Urban Land Institute-Chicago District in order to discuss strategies to address redevelopment options for the Joliet Correctional Center, also known as the Collins Street Prison. The City of Joliet has engaged the Urban Land Institute Chicago District Council (ULI Chicago) to organize a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) on January 24th and 25th, 2012. This panel will bring together a diverse set of real estate experts to focus on strategies to address redevelopment options for the Collins Street Prison.

Joliet Collins Street Prison. Photo by ULI Chicago.

ULI Chicago is a non-profit research and educational institution that facilitates the open exchange of ideas, information and experience among leaders of the land use industry. ULI selected the members of this TAP for their expertise relevant to the challenges and opportunities of the prison site. All panel members donate their time and expertise to the TAP progam. The Panel, Chaired by David Galowich of Madison Realty Group, Inc., will consider recreational, commercial, industrial and tourism redevelopment, and explore long-term land use compatible with adjacent sites and consistent with the surrounding community

In order to introduce the TAP panelists and capture the community's input about the study area, there will be an informal Community Reception following the panel's first day of work on the evening of January 24th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, 204 N. Ottawa Street, Joliet. The reception will include brief remarks to identify the panelists and panel assignments, and reserve the majority of time as an opportunity for conversation between local community stakeholders and the panel. Friends and family are welcome at the reception. Please RSVP your attendance to ULI Chicago at Christine.Kolb@uli.org or 773-549-2655.

ULI Chicago also authored a 2004 Redevelopment Strategy Report for Downtown Joliet.

In September of 2011, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning held two community meetings where citizens discussed ideas for the redevelopment of the prison site:

Manhattan Library District Seeks Approval of Referendum for New Library Building on March 20, 2012 Ballot

2012-01-16T19:02:00.000-08:00

MANHATTAN—Voters in the Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District will vote on a proposal to raise $3.5 million for purchase of a newlibrary building.

According to the library’s webpage, the referendum question seeks $3.5 million in bonds to be issued for purchasing13,000 square feet of the building inthe Manhattan Station at the corner of Gougar and Sweedler Roads. The amount includes remodelingand purchse of furniture, shelving and electronic materials.

The breakdown includes $2.2million for purchase of the building, $1 million to remodel, and $250,000 forfurnishing the library.

To more details on the proposed new library building, go here.

The referendum question is onthe March 20, 2012 ballot.

Winter Night Hike Saturday January 28th at Thorn Creek Nature Center

2012-01-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

A "Winter Night Hike," a free, all-age family program, will be Saturday, January 28th, 4:00 p.m. at Thorn Creek Nature Center, in Park Forest. Registration is required for this Forest Preserve District of Will County program.

Even in the cold of winter, as the sun goes down, many animals become active. Join a District naturalist on a guided hike through the twilight and experience many of the night sounds. Come dressed for the weather. Participants should be able to walk a mile outdoors on uneven and possibly snow-covered ground.

Thorn Creek Nature Center is located at 247 Monee Road in Park Forest.

For information and registration call 708-946-2216.

In providing programs and services to the public, the Forest Preserve District of Will County will make reasonable modifications to ensure that all people have an equal opportunity to enjoy District offerings. For more information, visit reconnectwithnature.org/ADA.

Snowshoe Hike at Monee Reservoir

2012-01-14T06:57:00.000-08:00

“Snowshoe Safari,” a family program for persons at least seven years of age, will be Saturday, January 21, 1:00 p.m., at Monee Reservoir. Registration and a fee of $3 per person are required for this Forest Preserve District of Will County program.

Bring the whole family for an outdoor hiking adventure on snowshoes. Life abounds during the cold winter season. Enjoy a two-hour winter walk, exploring nature’s wonders of the season. We will investigate tracks and other signs of animal activity—and perhaps encounter some animals during our trek.

Please dress for the weather and be prepared to hike in snowy conditions over uneven natural terrain for about two to three miles.

The program will take place regardless of weather conditions. If there is no snow cover, we will hike on foot.
Monee Reservoir is located at 27341 Ridgeland Avenue, west of Route 50 and south of Pauling Road, 2 miles south of Monee.

For information and registration, call 708/534-8499.

In providing programs and services to the public, the Forest Preserve District of Will County will make reasonable modifications to ensure that all people have an equal opportunity to enjoy District offerings. For more information, visit ReconnectWithNature.org/ADA.

Congressman Adam Kinzinger Announces Service Academy Nominations

2012-01-12T15:13:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) is proud to nominate eight Illinoisans from the 11th Congressional District to the United States Service Academies.

“One of the greatest honors I have as your Representative is to nominate focused, driven students throughout the 11th Congressional District to a United States Service Academy,” said Congressman Kinzinger. “The nominating process is extremely competitive. The hard work and dedication of these young men and women is what makes our nation's military unmatched to any other. The nominees represent the heart, soul and future of our nation. I'm humbled by their commitment and courageous ambitions."

The 11th District's eight nominees were chosen based on the information included in their applications, test scores, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation and the requirements of each U.S. Service Academy. Each Service Academy will determine who will receive an appointment of admission.

"As a current member of the Armed Forces, I take the responsibility of my selections incredibly seriously," Kinzinger continued. "It is a privilege to recommend exceptional nominees for a potential appointment to these great institutions."

Of the eight students nominated from the 11th District, Kevin Thielmann, a senior at Lincoln-Way North High School and Mokena resident, has already received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. The majority of the nominees will hear from the academies in Spring 2012.

"From his accomplishments in the classroom to his leadership in athletics, Kevin has served as an outstanding member in our community and will make a tremendous addition to West Point," said Kinzinger. "It's an honor to know this young man and see his dedication to his country first-hand. I look forward to seeing what this next chapter holds for Kevin as he joins young leaders from across the country in making a profound commitment to serve."

Congressman Kinzinger is currently accepting applications for the U.S. Service Academies’ class entering in 2013. Go here for frequently asked questions on how to apply or contact Congressman Kinzinger's Joliet Office at (815) 729-2308.

From left to right: Jenna Laureen Tasic (Tinley Park), Joseph Aaron Weis (Plainfield), Joseph John Hines, Jr. (Cedar Point), U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger, Garrett Marshall Saulters (Wilmington), Kevin Daniel Thielmann (Mokena), Austin Paul Mackert-Miller (Plainfield), Jacob Ryan Hilliard (Monee)

Not Pictured: Maria Rossi (Shorewood)

11th District Service Academy Nominees

U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York

§ Joseph John Hines, Jr. (Cedar Point, IL)

§ Austin Paul Mackert-Miller (Plainfield, IL)

§ Maria Rossi (Shorewood, IL)

§ Jenna Laureen Tasic (Tinley Park, IL)

§ Kevin Daniel Thielmann (Mokena, IL)

U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland

§ Jacob Ryan Hilliard (Monee, IL)

§ Garrett Marshall Saulters (Wilmington)

§ Joseph Aaron Weis (Plainfield)

Manhattan Fire Captain Retires After 37 Years

2012-01-10T19:24:00.000-08:00

The Manhattan Fire Department inviteseveryone to an Open House to celebrate the retirement of Captain Jim Toepperand mark his 37 years of service on the volunteer force.

Manhattan Fire Captain Jim Toepper

The Open House tohonor Toepper will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, January 29. All areinvited. The open house is at theWilton Center Federated Church, 14101 W. Joliet Rd. Manhattan, IL, just east ofCedar Road on U.S. Route 52 in Wilton Center.

The FireDepartment would love for you to come help celebrate Toepper’s 37 years!

Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Will County

2011-12-26T05:32:00.000-08:00

Christmas Trees to be recycled at The Forest Preserve District of Will County

“Recycle the Holiday Spirit!,” a free Christmas tree recycling program offered by the Forest Preserve District of Will County, will be Tuesday, December 27 through Monday, January 9, with three tree drop-off sites around the county. Trees can be dropped off at any of the facilities between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Recycling Christmas trees saves landfill space and recycles the trees back to nature. The trees are chipped and then used at District preserves. Christmas trees can be dropped off at Isle a la Cache Museum, in Romeoville; the Sugar Creek Administration Center, in Joliet, and Monee Reservoir.

Please remove all tinsel and lights. Only family trees will be accepted; no commercial trees will be taken.

Isle a la Cache Museum is located at 501 East 135^th Street (Romeo Road), 0.5 mile east of Route 53, in Romeoville.
The Sugar Creek Administration Center is located at 17540 W. Laraway Road, 0.75 mile east of Route 52, in Joliet.
Monee Reservoir is located at 27341 Ridgeland Avenue, west of Route 50 and
south of Pauling Road, 2.0 miles south of Monee.

Christmas Tree Recycling drop off sign at the Forest Preserve District of Will County's Sugar Creek Administration Center on Laraway Road

Forest Preserve District of Will County Receives Grants to Improve DuPage River Trail and Rock Run Preserve

2011-12-24T09:55:00.000-08:00

Illinois Republican Leader Tom Cross presented a check of $500,000 to the Forest Preserve District of Will County on December 7 for two District projects in Shorewood and Joliet. The grant was awarded to the Forest Preserve by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

The DCEO grant was awarded to assist in the development of a section of the Hammel Woods North—DuPage River Trail in Shorewood and Joliet and for infrastructure improvements to the Rock Run Preserve in Joliet.

The DuPage River Trail is an initiative supported by numerous municipalities to create a continuous trail and greenway along the DuPage River from Naperville to Channahon. The DCEO grant will support the construction of 1.5 miles of asphalt bicycle trail that will extend from the existing trail system at Hammel Woods Preserve—DuPage River Access, on Black Road in Shorewood, to a section of the trail already in place that leads to Plainfield Township Park District's Sunset Ridge Park. This new section of trail includes an underpass of Black Road. The activities that will be funded by the DCEO grant include the materials and labor associated with the Black Road trail underpass, wetland boardwalk, fishing overlook on the DuPage River and improvements to the Hammel Woods Dog Park.

The Rock Run Preserve infrastructure enhancements include improvements to the preserve and to the Rock Run Trail. This 10.4-mile asphalt trail runs through the communities of Joliet and Crest Hill. Portions of this trail are inundated with water during wet weather events and are in need of repair.

The DCEO grant will be used to repair two sections of the trail within the Rock Run Preserve and for a new latrine at DuPage River Access.

DCEO is the lead state agency for improving Illinois' competitiveness in the global economy. DCEO administers a wide range of economic and workforce development programs, services and initiatives designed to create and retain high quality jobs and to build strong communities. DCEO leads the Illinois economic development process in partnership with businesses, local governments, workers and families.

House Minority Leader Tom Cross (center) presents DECO grant check to Board of Commissioner Lee Ann Goodson, Board President Cory S. Singer, Forest Preserve Executive Director Marcy DeMauro and Commissioner Brian Smith.

Will County Sheriff's Office Cautions Rockdale, Illinois, Inmate Escaped en route to Statesville

2011-12-02T17:17:00.000-08:00

UPDATE December 2, 2011:

The Illinois Department of Corrections along with the Will County Sheriff's Office, the Illinois State Police and the Rockdale Police Department announce the capture of IDOC inmate Cesar Sanchez.

Tonight Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupas and representatives from the above agencies announced the capture of escaped IDOC inmate Cesar Sanchez in the town of Rockdale. Sanchez, who had escaped from a prisoner transport van earlier today was located at a Waste Management facility located in Rockdale, Illinois. Sanchez was located shortly after 8:00 p.m. hiding at a Waste Management facility near the location where surveillance camera's observed him jumping from a truck. Officers were alerted earlier in the evening of the sighting and moved their search to the area. K9 units initally tracked Sanchez to a lot filled with portable toilets. Though the initial efforts failed to locate Sanchez the officers continuted to search. The Chicago Police Department dispatched one of their helicopters to the area to aid in the search and pilots were able to direct ground units to a specific Porta Potty. Upon closer examintation by ground units Sanchez was located hiding in the waste holding tank of the unit. He was taken into custody without further incident and turned over to the Department of Corrections.

The search for Sanchez was aided by multiple police agencies from the surrounding area, including the Joliet Police Department, Lockport, Lemont, Oak Lawn, Cook County Sherieff's Police, U.S. Marshalls Service, to name just a few. Sanchez will face new charges associated with his short lived escape at the conclusion of the Illinois Department of Corrections investigation into the incident.

Warning issued by the Will County Sheriff's on December 2, 2011 before the inmate was captured while hiding in a port a potty:

The Will County Sheriff's Office is cautioning residents of the Rockdale, Illinois community to be vigilant for an IDOC inmate who escaped from custody this afternoon.

On today's date at approximately 2:06 p.m., the Illinois Department of Corrections reported the escape of inmate Cesar Sanchez, M/H, DOC inmate # K55087. Sanchez, who is serving a 7 year sentence for Burglary regarding a 2006 conviction in Cook County, was apparently in a IDOC transport vehicle in the area of 159th Street and Farrell Road, Lockport Township when he was able to escape from the vehicle and fled on foot. Sanchez was last seen wearing a IDOC issued tan shirt and pants. He was secured by handcuff's at the time of his escape and reportedly suffered an injury to one of his legs as he jumped from the transport vehicle. Sanchez is described as 5'06", 189 lbs, black hair and brown eyes.

Latest reports indicate that Sanchez may have fled the Lockport area by way of a delivery truck and reportedly was last seen in the Rockdale, Illinois area, which is located to the south of Joliet.

More information on Cesar Sanches can be located at the IDOC web site. His IDOC inmate number is K55087.

Down Home Guitars of Frankfort Open House December 3, 2011

2011-12-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

Down Home Guitars is holding a holiday open house Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their historic Downtown Frankfort location--11 South White Street (inside the Trolley Barn).

According to the Down Home Guitars, the open house will feature student performances, mini classes, store sales and more throughout the day. Visitors can meet with teachers and learn about new classes for infants and toddlers, teens, group ukelele, flatpick guitar, and more. Sounds like a great event for the entire family!

Here is a video of the Down Home Guitars float in the Frankfort Fall Fest Parade:

Braidwood Illinois Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade

2011-11-24T09:52:00.000-08:00

Braidwood, Illinois will celebrate the holiday season with "Old Fashioned Christmas" activities sponsored by the Braidwood Chamber of Commerce and Fossil Ridge Library on December 3, 2011.

The Tree Lighting Ceremony will be December 3rd at 4:50 p.m. at City Hall. Immediately after the tree lighting, the parade will begin and head from City Hall to the library.

There will be festivities at the library after the parade for the kids and the kid at heart!

2011 Manhattan Illinois Lighted Holiday Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting

2011-11-21T16:56:00.000-08:00

Manhattan, Illinois will welcome the holiday season December 2nd and 3rd with "Christmas on State Street"!

2010 Christmas Tree lighting in Manhattan, Illinois

2011 "Christmas on State Street":

Friday December 2, 2011
--The Lincoln-Way Central Madrigal Singers will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Manhattan Park District Program Center

Saturday December 3, 2011
--Craft Fair at Wilson Creek School, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
--Gingerbread House Contest at Wilson Creek School, 9a.m. drop-off, 11 a.m. judging
--See Santa , 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Manhattan Park District Program Center, Games and meet with Santa
--Chili Cook Off, Wilson Creek School, 9--10 a.m. drop-off, 11 a.m. judging
--Parade of Lights, 5:30 p.m.
--Christmas Tree Lighting, Times Square, immediately after the parade

Here is a video of last year's Christmas Tree Lighting:

Downtown Joliet Christmas Tree Lighting and Lighted Holiday Parade

2011-11-20T17:37:00.000-08:00

Downtown Joliet will ring in the holiday season with a Christmas tree lighting, a lighted holiday parade, an ice sculpting demonstration from Joliet Junior College's award-winning culinary arts students, and much more on Friday, November 25th, 2011.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Joliet Area Historical Museum will welcome the holiday season by offering free admission and free refreshments. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. students from the Joliet Junior College culinary arts program will carve ice sculptures outside the museum.
From noon to 4 p.m. the Joliet Park District & Forest Preserve District of Will County will be providing free children’s activities and games at the Joliet Junior College Renaissance Center. Activities include decorating your own reusable bag, pine cone ornaments and spin the wheel for a prize!
The Joliet Christmas Tree will be lit at 5:15 p.m. at the Van Buren Plaza with Mayor Giarrante, the Joliet City Council and the University of St. Francis. Following the tree lighting, the lighted Holiday parade will kick off at 5:30 p.m..
Finally, The Rialto Square Theatre's Festival of Trees---which will be open for visitors 2 to 9 p.m. on the 25th---offers visitors a chance to view beautifully decorated Christmas trees in the beautiful Rialto Square Theatre:

Wilmington, Illinois 2011 Lighted Holiday Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting

2011-11-18T17:16:00.000-08:00

The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce will host a lighted holiday parade and a day of holiday cheer on Saturday, November 26, 2011. The parade will begin at 5:00 p.m., leaving from the Wilmington Middle School parking lot and continuing down Ryan and Water Street north to the Post Office.

In addition to the parade, The Mar theatre will show a holiday movie in the Mar's upstairs theatre at 2:30. The Business Person of the Year will light the community Christmas Tree in Claire’s Corner at approximately 5:30 p.m.. Children will have the opportunity to visit with Santa Claus in the Santa house parked near Water and Van Buren beginning immediately after the tree lighting. Afterward, revelers can cross the "Bridge to Christmas" (the millrace walkbridge) to visit the community Christmas in the Park on the North Island Park.

Here are some photos from last year's lighted holiday parade in Wilmington, Illinois:

Santa arrives in Wilmington, Illinois!

Wilmington Holiday Lighted Parade

Wilmington's Christmas Tree

"Make Wall Street Pay" Action event in Joliet

2011-11-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

A rally organized by Moveon.org was held in front of the Bank of America branch on Jefferson Street in Joliet today. On Moveon.org's website, the event was described as a memorial for homes foreclosed upon by Bank of America. This event coincides with many "Occupy Wall Street" rallies being held throughout Chicago and the nation November 5, 2011.

Memorial For Foreclosed Homes outside of a Bank of America Branch in Joliet

Moveon.org organized rally outside of Bank of America in Joliet

Rally to "Make Wall Street Pay" on Jefferson Street in Joliet

Take Your Kids Trick or Treating to a Bunker at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie!

2011-10-26T04:33:00.000-07:00

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie--located on the grounds of the former Joliet Arsenal Ammunition Plant- is planning a special trick-or-treating experience for area youngsters--"Trick or Treating, Bunker Style."

On Saturday, October 29th from 5-8 p.m. families can gather at the Iron Bridge Trailhead to hear from characters from Midewin's past, present, and future. There will be music, a campfire, treats, drinks, and stories from the prairie's past.

The entrance to the Iron Bridge Trailhead is located on Route 53, south of Elwood. If you were headed North on Route 53 from Wilmington, the entrance to the Iron Bridge Trailhead would be on your right about 1-2 miles before Hoff Road.

Bunkers refer to the concrete structures built at the Joliet arsenal that stored ammunitions and were built to blend in with the surroundings if viewed from the air. Here is a video of some bunkers as captured from the parking lot of the Iron Bridge Trailhead:

High Speed Rail Meeting in Joliet Tonight, 4-7 p.m. at Jacob Henry Mansion

2011-10-25T04:47:00.000-07:00

The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting tonight, October 25, 2011 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Jacob Henry Mansion at 15 South Richards Street in Joliet.

The meeting will be a chance for citizens to meet with IDOT officials in an open-house format to discuss the Chicago to St. Louis high speed rail service. According to IDOT, there will be no formal presentation, so the public is invited to attend anytime between 4 and 7 p.m..

Midewin National Tallgrass Theatre sponsoring free screening of documentary: "Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time"

2011-10-12T04:23:00.000-07:00

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is sponsoring a free screening of documentary "Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time"on Saturday, October 15th, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the historic Mar Theatre in Wilmington, Illinois.

Here are some images of the Mar Theatre, located just off Route 53--old Route 66--at 121 S. Main Street in Wilmington, Illinois:

Built in 1937 at the cost of $50,000, the Mar maintains its original ticket booth, main stage, and marquee.

Aldo Leopold is considered a father of the conservation movement. His collection of essays in "The Sand County Almanac" has sold millions of copies and in the essays Leopold describes his idea of a land ethic, the responsible relationship between people and the land. For more information on Leopold and a preview of the film, view the trailer from "Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time":

Having grown up in Will County and witnessed the rapid building of warehouses, roads, and subdivisions, I was particularly struck by this Leopold quote: "We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.

It is indeed fitting that Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is sponsoring this film. Midewin is a national tallgrass prairie located on land of the former Joliet Arsenal Ammunition Plant. An Aldo Leopold Quote is engraved in a stone outside of the Midewin Welcome Center:

Aldo Leopold quote outside the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Welcome Center

Group Opposed to Peotone Airport holding "Footprint Harvest Fest" October 9, 2011

2011-10-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

The group STAND--Shut This Airport Nightmare Down--is holding a "Footprint Harvest Fest" this Sunday, October 9, in rural Will County. The event will be held from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Verduin farm at 1851 W. Church Road, Beecher, Illinois.

STAND states it is reaching out to individuals, groups, and elected officials to "help prevent this politically-driven project from becoming a reality."

The keynote speaker at the Footprint Harvest Fest will be Jon Stewart, the main organizer of the successful campaign to stop a 3rd runway at Heathrow Airport in London.

STAND members say they are fighting to stop the State of Illinois from using eminent domain to gain control of land in the footprint of the proposed Peotone Airport. Anthony Rudis--a 100 year old owner of property in the footprint--may be in attendance. Regarding the state's plan to use eminent domain to take his land, Rudis stated: "This land is not for sale, I do not want them on my property and I will do what I can to stop them. This is terribly upsetting. The FAA has not approved the project, and they have no business moving forward, wasting taxpayers' money."

Members of STAND recently created a "No Peotone Airport" Crop Circle:

Members of STAND then led a goat around the circle in an effort to transfer the Chicago Cubs Billy Goat Curse to the Peotone Airport:

St. Joseph 15th Annual Oktoberfest in Lockport

2011-09-19T18:42:00.000-07:00

Oktoberfest in Lockport!

Guten Tag! On September 30^th, October 1^st and 2^nd, 2011, St. Joseph School and Parish in Lockport will host our 15^th Annual Oktoberfest. Many herren und frauen will converge onto Madison Street to eat, play, mingle, listen to great music and attempt to speak German. Whether you are a youngster or young at heart, Oktoberfest has everything you need for a weekend filled with wonderful Fall memories.

The event is packed with a variety of activities for all ages and will feature carnival rides with unlimited ride specials, an abundance of children’s activities, various entertainment and musical acts on the main stage, a heated beer garden, casino gambling and tournaments, a fantastic craft show / local business expo, a variety of delicious foods – including our delectable chicken dinner, an enormous bake sale and many raffles for all to enjoy.

This much anticipated, premier family event transforms St. Joseph’s surrounding grounds into a spectacular festival that is open to the city of Lockport and all surrounding communities. St. Joseph’s Oktoberfest provides entertainment for everyone from grandparents to children and is one of the last fests of its kind in the Southwest Suburbs.

Our goal is to provide the community with excellent entertainment at an affordable price. In addition, admission and parking are free for all those that wish to come and join in the fun.

Opening ceremony will begin at 6pm on Friday, September 30^th, 2011. Please join in the fun as we present a touch of Old Bavaria right here in your own backyard. Each year this wonderful community event grows bigger and better, you won’t want to miss out!

For more information, visit us at www.stjoeschool.com/oktoberfest .

St. Joseph’s Annual Oktoberfest 2011

Address: 529 Madison Street, Lockport, IL 60441

Festival Times: Friday, Sept. 30^th 5pm – Midnight

Saturday, Oct. 1^st 11am – Midnight

Sunday, Oct. 2^nd 11am – 5pm

NASCAR GEICO 400 Race Monday at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet

2011-09-19T04:23:00.000-07:00

After more than 6 hours of postponements due to rain Sunday, NASCAR officials decided to move the GEICO 400 race to today, Monday, September 19th. The race will start at the Chicagoland Speedway south of Joliet at 11 a.m. Central time. The NASCAR race will be broadcast on ESPN and will also be covered by RaceBuddy.

This is the first time in Chase history that the race has been postponed and moved due to weather.

Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet on NASCAR weekend

Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway on Friday Night, September 16, 2011:

NASCAR Race today at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet

2011-09-18T06:13:00.000-07:00

Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway on Laraway Road is hosting NASCAR fans and race teams this weekend. The Geico 400 takes place today, September 18th. Area roadways around the speedway will likely be clogged tonight as fans and their campers leave town. Here are some photos of the Chicagoland Speedway at night:

Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet during NASCAR weekend

Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet on NASCAR weekend

Many people brought their campers out to the raceway. Hopefully the rain delay will end soon so they will be able to enjoy the race. UPDATE: The NASCAR race at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet has been postponed until Monday, September 19th at noon eastern time. Check out this video of the Chicagoland Speedway from Friday night:

Civil War Reenactment at Manhattan Round Barn Farm Park

2011-08-26T18:31:00.000-07:00

The Manhattan Park District's Round Barn Farm Park will host Manhattan Days of Old and a Civil War reenactment Saturday, August 27th, here is the schedule of events:

Schedule of Events
11 am - Tea Ladies Demonstration
11:30 am - 33rd IL Band Concert
1 pm - Battle Re-enactment
1:30 pm - Baseball Game
3 pm - Founders Day Parade
And much, much more!

Admission: $5 Adults, $2 Children 3 and older

Civil War re-enactors will strike a camp and demonstrate how people lived during the time of the Civil War. There will be demonstrations of old-time wet plate photography and tea demonstrations, and much more. For example, at last year's Manhattan Days of Old, Civil War enthusiasts discussed Civil War cannons:

Civil War Reenactors discuss the use of the cannon during the Civil War at the Manhattan Park District "Days of Old" at the Baker-Koren Round Barn Farm Park.

Musicians played Civil-War era music:

More from the 2010 Manhattan Days of Old here.

2011 Will County Fair in Peotone, Illinois

2011-08-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

For kids in and around Peotone, Illinois, the end of August signals both the return of school and the return of the Will County Fair.
The 2011 Will County Fair will begin Wednesday, August 24th and run through Sunday, August 28th. This year marks the 108th year of the Will County Fair.

Grandstand at the Will County Fair in Peotone, Illinois

Dairy cattle at the Will County Fair in Peotone, Illinois

Will County Fair Schedule of Events:

Wednesday, August 24th:
9:00 a.m.--Open & Junior Dairy Goat Show
9:00 a.m.--Open & Junior Pigeon Show
10:00 a.m.--Fair Opens to Public - $4.00 Gate Admission Per Person, Children under 10 FREE
12:00 noon--Carnival opens - All Rides $1.50 ea. or 16 for $20.00.

Thursday, August 25th:
8:00 a.m.--Fair Opens to Public, Senior Citizens and Veterans=$2.00 Gate Admission $4.00 Gate Admission per Person, Children under 10 FREE
9:00 a.m.-- Open & Junior Pony Hitches and Adult Performance Classes
1:00 - 5:00 p.m.--Carnival opens - "Dollar Afternoon Special" All rides $1.50 each from 1 - 5 pm
5:00 - 11:00 p.m.--"Ride-A-Thon Night" - Ride any ride as often as you like - $18.00 per person
5:30 p.m.--Junior Swine Show
6:30 p.m.-- ITPA Tractor and Truck Pull-- Grandstand Admission $8.00 - Pit Passes inside track, Age 16 & Over - $10.00 per Person

Friday, August 26th:
8:00 a.m.--Fair Opens to Public - $4.00 Gate Admission per Person, Children under 10 Free
9:00 a.m.--Open and Junior Dairy Cattle Show
9:00 a.m.--Sheep Show
9:00 a.m.--Open & Junior Light Horses and Ponies All Halter Classes Show
9:30 a.m.--Swine Show
1:00 p.m.--1-5 pm all rides One Dollar
7:30 p.m.--Nationwide Demolition Derby -- Grandstand Admission $9.00

Saturday, August 27th (Democrat Day):
8:00 a.m.--Fair Opens to Public - $4.00 Gate Admission per Person, Children under 10, Free
8:30 a.m.--Open & Junior Beef Show
9:00 a.m.--Open & Junior Poultry Show
9:00 a.m.--Junior Sheep Show
12:00 noon--Carnival Opens
1:00 p.m.--Steer Show
3:00 - 4:30 p.m.--WVLI "The Valley" 95.1 SOCK HOP at the Entertainment Tent
5:30 p.m. --Will County 4-H Livestock Auction held in the Livestock Show Ring
7:00 p.m. --Nationwide Demo Derby Grandstand Admission $9.00

Sunday, August 28th (Republican Day):
8:00 a.m.--Fair Opens to Public - $4.00 Gate Admission per Person, Children under 10, Free
12:00 noon--Carnival Opens
1:30 p.m. --Baby Show (for babies 6 - 36 months). Have to be pre-registered - Copy of Certified County Birth Certificate required. Entries close Saturday, August 28 at 8:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.--Rodeo, $8.00
3:00 p.m.--2nd Annual Chili Cook-off. Pre-Registration Required (limited to the first 20 entries)
Start: at about 8:00 a.m.. Judging time will be at about 3:00 p.m..

Along with the events outlined above, the Fine Arts Building will be open each day of the fair where visitors can view prize-winning art, vegetables, grains, photography, and much, much more.

Check out this video for images from the 2010 Will County Fair:

Operation Care Package Let No Hero Be Forgotten Benefit this Saturday in Manhattan

2011-08-04T18:08:00.000-07:00

Operation Care Package is a volunteer, 501C public charity dedicating to supporting our Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen through care packages. The group has sent thousands of care packages to troops stationed around the world.

Operation Care Package will be holding a benefit this Saturday, August 6 from 4 PM to 10 PM at Bit O' Blarney Pub in Manhattan, Illinois. The event will feature live music, great raffles, a cash bar, and a live auction. Entrance is 10 dollars and all proceeds go directly to Operation Care Package and their mission of sending care packages to the members of our military.

Example of a care package shipped to members of our military by Operation Care Package.

Operation Care Package Benefit to be held in Manhattan, Illinois this Saturday, August 6, 2011.

Dwight to Joliet High Speed Rail Open House to be held by IDOT August 4 in Joliet

2011-08-03T04:40:00.000-07:00

The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public open house Thursday, August 4, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Renaissance Center at 214 North Ottawa Street in Downtown Joliet.

IDOT officials will answer the public's questions regarding the Dwight to Joliet section of the St. Louis to Chicago high speed rail project.

The Chicago to St. Louis high speed rail project was one of the first in the nation's High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program.

More info on high-speed rail coming to Joliet: http://www.connectthemidwest.com/tag/station/
http://www.idothsr.org/

Video of 4h of July Fireworks over Union Station in Downtown Joliet:

2011 Will County Thresherman's Association Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Show at Dollinger Farm

2011-07-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

The Will County Thresherman's Association will host their 49th Annual Antique Tractor and Steam Show this weekend at the Dollinger Family Farm in Channahon, Illinois. Admission is five dollars for adults and two dollars for children 11 and under. The show runs from Thursday, July 21 to Friday, July 24. The show features a flea market, crafters, and a petting show.

The Steam Show also will feature antique tractors, antique steam engines, and demonstrations of threshing wheat. Before the invention of the combine, farmers cut their wheat and then hired a farmer with a threshing machine to come to the farm and thresh the wheat. The threshing machine separated the wheat from the chaff. Farmers would generally help each other out with threshing, and would trade labor in that fashion as the farmer who owned the thresher--the "thresherman"--made it to each farm.

According to my grandparents, the day of threshing at the farm was a big day for the farm wife as she had to prepare enough food for all of the neighbors who had arrived to help. The farm wives would often try to outdo one another's lunches and desserts. I remember a story of a time when a neighbor forgot to put the sugar in a cherry pie. The threshers said it just needed a little extra sugar as they reached for the sugar cup and poured some on. The farm wife eventually realized she had forgotten the sugar and was quite embarrassed, but it made for a good story and a concrete memory of that year's threshing.

The Will County Thresherman's Association was created to remember the old time method of threshing wheat and other old-time agricultural methods and community events. According to the Association, "In August of 1963, Ray Kestel originated a yearly threshing bee on the Ed Kestel farm in Will County, Illinois. In subsequent years, the show was held at the Ray Kestel farm three miles south of New Lenox. On February 15, 1966, Ray called a meeting to propose that an organization be formed to support the annual show celebrating old-time agricultural methods. The forty-five men in attendance approved Ray's plan, and the Will County Threshermen's Association was born. Ray served as the club's president for its first five years. The organization's purpose is to honor and preserve America's agricultural legacy. It is especially appropriate that Will County host such an association, for a significant chapter in American history took place there."

Here are some photos from previous Will County Thresherman's Shows:

Steam Engine at the Will County Thresherman's Show

Antique John Deere and Oliver Tractors at the Will County Thresherman's Show

Tens of Thousands without power in Joliet and throughout Will County

2011-07-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

There are tens of thousands of people and businesses without power in Joliet after a morning storm that downed trees and power lines.

According to ComEd's website, more than 10,000 customers are without power in the Joliet region.

In Joliet, traffic lights are out at Six Corners and Larkin and Route 30--among others--creating traffic back-ups. Joliet police were out at both intersections directing traffic.

Several homes and businesses lost power right after morning storms, while others lost power this afternoon.

Breaking News: Local Group to Protest Peotone Airport at Quinn's visit to Tinley Park

2011-07-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

Governor Quinn will be in Tinley Park tomorrow for a Soutland Chamber of Commerce event. STAND--Shut This Airport Nightmare Down--a local group opposed to the proposed Peotone Airport, will also be outside the event demonstrating against the use of eminent domain for the land proposed to be used for the Peotone Airport. Full story at Peotone Airport News.

Search Will County Property Sales and Transactions

2011-07-10T11:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a free service from the website of the Will County Recorder of Deeds, you can now search Will County property sales. By searching by last name, you can find out information on the amount of money a property sold for. The website also contains records of mortgages and mortgage releases. Trust information is also available.

Go to the Will County Recorder of Deeds Website to find records of property sales. This is also a great tool for genealogy, as you can search your family's property transactions. The records go back to 1967.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Needs Volunteers to Help Plant 10,000 Wildflowers!

2011-07-06T04:38:00.000-07:00

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie has 10,000 native wildflower plugs that need your help to become part of the prairie!

Midewin has received a grant from the National Forest Foundation to purchase these plants. They have arrived and now Midewin needs your helping hands to get them in the ground quickly.

Join fellow nature lovers at Midewin on any of the following workdays and you can help make a huge difference. The plugs will be planted near the beginning of the Prairie Creek Woods Trail where they can be enjoyed by hundreds of visitors each year. This half-acre could be a new favorite spot to view beautiful native wildflowers in a huge open space. Groups and families are always welcome. Our goal is to join together at least 50 people ages 7 and up.

River Road Seed Beds at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Open space along the Prairie Creek Trail at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Please RSVP for any of the following dates to Allison Cisnernos (Volunteer Coordinator) at 815-423-2149
Saturday, July 16
Sunday, July 17 (only if we are rained out on July 16)
Monday, July 18
Tuesday, July 19

Work will start at 9am and end at 2:30pm. Meet at the River Road Seedbeds/Trailhead (directions below). Feel free to join us for a Half-day if it's better for your schedule.
Midewin will provide tools, safety gear and water. Remember to wear layers, field boots and a hat. Please bring your own lunch if you plan to stay. After the workday, grab your bike or binoculars if you want to explore our trails and hike through a woodland or prairie restoration.
This is somewhat short notice, but Midewin need lots of helping hands so if you cannot join us, please pass this invite on.

Directions to the River Road Seedbeds:

To the River Road Seedbeds

From I-55: Look for exit 241, Wilmington. At the top of the ramp (both northbound and southbound), turn left or east. Travel about 2 miles on New River Road to an intersection labeled Boathouse Road or State Game Farm. Turn left or north, and follow the gravel road to the parking area.

OR: Take I-55 to I-80. Head east, or toward Toledo. Follow the directions below for I-80.

From I-80: Look for exit 132, State Route 53 and Chicago Street. At the end of the ramp (both eastbound and westbound), turn right or south. Travel south on State Route 53, also known as Historic Route 66, for approximately 15 miles -- past the race tracks, the town of Elwood, and Prairie Creek grain company. The Welcome Center will be on the left or east side of the highway. Continue approximately 1.0 mile further south on State Route 53 to the intersection with New River Road. Turn right or west, and travel approximately 2 miles on New River Road to an intersection labeled Boathouse Road or State Game Farm. Turn right or north, and follow the gravel road to the parking area.

From I-57: Look for exit 327, Peotone. From the northbound ramp, turn left or west. From the southbound ramp, turn right or west. Travel approximately 15 miles on the Wilmington-Peotone Road to the lighted intersection at State Route 53. Turn right or north, and travel approximately 1 mile to the intersection with New River Road. Turn left or west on to New River Road, following the signs for I55. Travel approximately 2 miles on New River Road to an intersection labeled Boathouse Road or State Game Farm. Turn right or north, and follow the gravel road to the parking area.

Joliet Fourth of July Fireworks

2011-07-04T06:53:00.000-07:00

Fireworks filled the Downtown Joliet sky as both the Joliet Slammers and Bicentennial Park fired fireworks:

Joliet 4th of July Fireworks at Bicentennial Park from Silver Cross Field, Union Station in background

Fireworks after the Joliet Slammers baseball game at Silver Cross Field

Fireworks after a Joliet Slammers win:

Tonight, July 4th, there will be fireworks in Joliet at Memorial Stadium--3000 West Jefferson Street. The fireworks will begin at 9:20.

Romeoville Fourth of July Fireworks

2011-07-03T16:04:00.000-07:00

The Village of Romeoville will celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks on Sunday, July 3rd at 9:15 p.m. at Village Park--900 W Romeo Road in Romeoville, Illinois.

Prior to fireworks, there will be music, inflatables, and concessions starting at 7 p.m. at the Amphitheatre, 1050 W Romeo Road.

Come out and celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks!

Beecher Fourth of July Fireworks and Parade

2011-07-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

Beecher, Illinois will hold its 85th annual Fourth of July Festival this weekend. The Independence Day Parade will start at 4 p.m. on July 4, 2011.

Fireworks will begin promptly at 9:30 p.m. on July 4th and will be launched from a field north of Fireman's Park. Spectators are encouraged to sit on the high school soccer field.

Beecher Independence Day Parade photo from last year

Here is a video from last year's 4th of July parade in Beecher, Illinois:

New Lenox Fourth of July Fireworks

2011-07-01T04:21:00.000-07:00

The Village of New Lenox will celebrate July 4th with a family-friendly night of music and fireworks at the New Lenox Village Commons.

Starting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 4th, a rock and blues band will play. Then at 8:25 p.m., the Lions Club will hold their 55th Annual Raffle. At 8:30 p.m. the Joliet American Legion band will play. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m..

The Village will provide free parking at the Metra lot and a free shuttle bus to the Village Commons. The shuttle will begin at 6:30 p.m..

Here is a video of the New Lenox Village Commons, surely a great place to celebrate the 4th with the community!:

Joliet 4th of July Fireworks at Bicentennial Park

2011-06-27T04:36:00.000-07:00

Joliet's Bicentennial Park will celebrate Independence Day Sunday, July 3rd from 6 to 10 p.m..

The festivities will include live music, food, and more. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m..

4th of July Fireworks over the Des Plaines River in Joliet

Here is a photo of 4th of July Fireworks over the Des Plaines River in Downtown Joliet from two years ago:

4th of July Fireworks at Bicentennial Park in Joliet

Old-Fashioned Social Media

2011-06-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

Sign outside of Wilton Township Community Building in Wilton Center, Illinois

Illiana Corridor Public Meeting to be held tonight in Matteson

2011-06-21T04:38:00.000-07:00

The Illinois and Indiana Departments of Transportation have scheduled a public meeting tonight to present the Illiana Corridor Study Schedule, Planning Process, and to seek input from the public regarding the Illinois Corridor Study Schedule.

The meeting will be held tonight, June 21, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Matteson, Illinois.

There will be a Power Point presentation, exhibits related to the Illiana, and attendees will have a chance to meet 1:1 with Illinois Department of Transportation and Indiana Department of Transportation study team representatives.

Information for individuals with disabilities who will attend: These meetings will be accessible to handicapped individuals. Anyone needing specific assistance should contact Kara Olson of Images, Inc. at (630) 510-3944. Persons planning to attend who will need a sign language interpreter or other similar accommodations should notify the TTY/TTD number (800) 526-0844/or 711; TTY users (Spanish) (800) 501-0864/or 711; and for Telebraille dial (877) 526-6670 at least five days prior to the meeting.

According to their website, Images, Inc. is an "Illinois based DBE firm noted for its unique blend of public involvement, strategic planning, consensus building, facilitation, communication, marketing, and media strategies."

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Civil War History Event

2011-06-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie held a Civil War History event at the Iron Bridge Trail Head June 11, 2011.

Civil War History Event at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Members of the Bronzeville Historical Society discussed African American history before, during, and after the Civil War:

Manhattan American Legion, Manhattan Fire Department, and Manhattan Boy Scouts Hold Flag Retirement Ceremony

2011-06-11T18:56:00.000-07:00

Member of Manhattan American Legion Post 935, the Manhattan Fire Department, and Manhattan Boy Scouts held a ceremony today to retire worn American flags collected from the community. The Manhattan American Legion has two collection boxes where people can deposit their worn flags to be properly retired. There is one collection box at State Street Auto and one outside James Tromp's office by Berkots.

Members of the Manhattan American Legion, Manhattan Fire Department, and Manhattan Boy Scouts honorably retire worn US flags

Civil War 150th Anniversary Event at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie this Saturday

2011-06-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie will host a Civil War 150th Anniversary Event this Saturday, June 11, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.. People dressed in period costume will tell the story of the Civil War and Underground Railroad through demonstrations, songs, poetry, and stories.

The event will take place at the Iron Bridge Trailhead, which can be accessed from Rt. 53. The Iron Bridge Trailhead is south of Hoff Road.

June 11 is also National Get Outdoors Day. Along with the Civil War Event, there will also be a 1:00 p.m. "Birds, Bridges, and Bunkers" Hike. This hike is three hours and covers six miles. Hikers will experience a glacial moraine vantage point, a pastoral grasslands, Prairie Creek, and a vast bunker field. People wanting to take this hike also meet at the Iron Bridge Trailhead.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie was created by an Act of Congress from the land of the former Joliet Arsenal Ammunition plant.

Splash Station offers Groupon!

2011-06-07T04:28:00.000-07:00

During the April 2011 Joliet Mayoral and City Council race, Spalsh Station generated much discussion. Views ranged from:

"The city can't afford a water park with a 27 million dollar budget deficit!"

to

"Kids and families need something to do! If Joliet can't even keep a water park running, how can we provide good quality of life!"

to

"We built it using casino money, it was a good investment in our community."

to

"Is it a good use of money to build a water park in a climate where you can only go swimming 4 months out of the year?"

to

"The city can't sell it because it is not profitable."

Well, today I opened my Daily Groupon email and found I had an offer for a Groupon to Splash Station. Groupon was recently featured in the Chicago Tribune business section in an article that discussed Groupon's possible IPO later this year. The company is valued at billions of dollars.

The Splash Station Groupon allows you to buy 2 adult passes for 10 dollars, a 26 dollar value, or 2 child passes for 8 dollars, an 18 dollar value.

If you were planning on taking a trip to Splash Station this summer, you may want to take advantage of this Groupon.

I think it's really great to see Joliet get in on the Groupon action! Normally, the Groupons I receive are for towns North of Joliet, and with gas prices the way they are, I don't normally take advantage of those offers. I think it's really great to see Joliet get in on the Groupon action!

UPDATE: As of 7:35 p.m., 2,615 people have purchased Groupons for Joliet's Splash Station--sweet!

Warehouse Workers at Kraft/Cadbury in Joliet will file suit claiming they are owed wages

2011-06-06T03:57:00.000-07:00

Warehouse workers at the Kraft/Cadbury warehouse in Joliet will file a class action lawsuit today in U.S. District Court claiming they are owed wages by the temp agency that staffs the Kraft/Cadbury warehouse--Prologistix. Workers also are alleging that they are still owed vacation pay and were not given written notices of their wage rate.

The Kraft warehouse is located on Laraway Road near Rt. 53 and the Chicagoland Speedway.

Workers will be holding a press conference at the U.S. District Court on Dearborn Street in Chicago on Monday at 10:30 a.m..

"We worked hard to make sure that Kraft got their products to store shelves on time. All we ask in return is that these companies follow the law pay us the wages and benefits they owe us. We just want to be treated with respect as workers. It's unfortunate that we have to take this action today just to get Prologistix to follow the law," said Chris Craig, who worked in the warehouse for eight months.

Will County News has contacted Kraft and Prologistix for a response and is awaiting their email responses. Please check back for more updates.

UPDATE:

Here is the email response I received from Joyce Hodel from Kraft Corporate Affairs:
"Hello Ann,

We are not familiar with the specific complaint you are asking about. For more details, I suggest you contact Schenker Logistics who is the operator of the facility. Prologistix is an agency that Schenker uses.

Kraft Foods works with thousands of suppliers and business partners around the world. We inform our vendors of Kraft’s expectations regarding legal compliance and we expect that they will comply with these expectations."

Closing Ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at the New Lenox American Legion

2011-05-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

A large crowd gathered at the Tom E. Hartung American Legion Post in New Lenox for the closing ceremony for the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall. The Wall is open for viewing until 9 a.m. tomorrow morning. The Wall is watched over by a volunteer honor guard 24/7.

Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at the New Lenox American Legion Post 1977

Closing Ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at the New Lenox American Legion

Veterans line the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at the Closing Ceremony in New Lenox, Memorial Day, May 30, 2011

Veterans line the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at the Closing Ceremony in New Lenox, Memorial Day, May 30, 2011

Video of the closing ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall:

Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at New Lenox American Legion Post 1977

2011-05-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall is now in place at the New Lenox American Legion Post 1977.

The closing ceremony will occur on Memorial Day, May 30th, at 7:00 p.m..

The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall is a half-sized replica of the Washington, D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the U.S. for more than 20 years.

Here are photos of the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall:

The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at New Lenox American Legion Post 1977

Members of the Manhattan American Legion at the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at the New Lenox American Legion Post 1977

The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at New Lenox American Legion Post 1977

Air Force ROTC cadets at The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at New Lenox American Legion Post 1977

Here is a video of the American Legion and the Air Force ROTC honor guards changing posts as part of an honor guard that will maintain watch over the Wall 24/7:

Braidwood Memorial Day Service

2011-05-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

Braidwood American Legion Post Commander Jim Canup invites everyone to the Memorial Day service beginning at 9 a.m. May 30th, 2011 at the Reed Township Veteran's Memorial in downtown Braidwood.

Speakers will include Mayor Jerry Pressley and State Sen. Sue Rezin. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony by the Braidwood Area Chamber of Commerce at City Hall.

New Lenox American Legion Post 1977 to host Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall

2011-05-22T09:15:00.000-07:00

The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall will be hosted by the New Lenox American Legion Post 1977 from May 26 to May 30, 2011.

The wall will arrive at the New Lenox American Legion Post 1977--located at 14414 Ford Drive in New Lenox---on May 26 at 9:30 a.m. and will be open for viewing at noon.

An opening ceremony will take place on May 27th at 4:00 p.m. with a prayer vigil at 7:00 p.m..

The closing ceremony will occur May 30th at 7:00 p.m..

The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall is a half-sized replica of the Washington, D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the U.S. for more than 20 years.

Photos and video from the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at the Tom E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977 in New Lenox.

Joliet Warehouse Workers Filing Discrimination Charges in Court Today

2011-04-28T04:16:00.000-07:00

The group Warehouse Workers for Justice has released the following press release regarding workers in a Joliet warehouse who are filing charges with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission today in Chicago:

"Workers at the Kraft/Cadbury's warehouse in Joliet are filing charges with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission today alleging that DB Schenker - the company running the warehouse - has repeatedly refused to address discrimination claims and has created a hostile work environment.

"There are Nazi signs on the walls," said Angela McDonald, one of the workers at the warehouse. "When you have to work late or on a Saturday you never know what could happen."

A group of Schenker employees, along with Warehouse Workers for Justice, recently met with civil rights representatives and local clergy to request assistance in dealing with the discriminatory practices. One worker described fearing for her safety while walking to her car after being repeatedly harassed during the night shift. "When I'm leaving at one in the morning, there is no security and I know there are people who are hateful and prejudiced in the building. I'm afraid of someone hurting me," said McDonald.

The EEOC charges allege that when management was approached about the various instances of discrimination, they claimed that the African American and Latino workers were putting up swastika graffiti "to get attention." The offensive graffiti has not been removed from most public areas of the warehouse including the break room and men's rest room, and a vehicle flying confederate flags has been consistently parked on the property near the warehouse entrance.

"When we first saw the swastika grafitti we went to talk to the management. They still have not said that they will take care of any of this," alleged McDonald."

Will County News contacted both Kraft Foods and DB Schenker in order to ask for a response to this press release. DB Schenker replied that they had not yet received a copy of the complaint. DB Schenker also replied that once they receive a copy of the filing, they will review it, investigate, and respond accordingly.

Kraft Foods responded that they were not familiar with the specific complaint, and suggest contacting DB Schenker. Kraft Foods also responded that Kraft Foods works with thousands of suppliers and business partners around the world, and informs those vendors of Kraft's expectation that all vendors comply with all regulations regarding legal compliance. Kraft Foods provided a link to their expectations of suppliers and business partners.

Here is a video of the workers in Chicago as they filed the complaint paperwork:

View more videos at: http://nbcchicago.com.

Will County warehouse workers filing suit against Schneider Logistics and Reliable Staffing

2011-04-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

The Huffington Post reports a group of workers who worked in Wal-Mart's distribution center in Elwood, Illinois have filed a class-action lawsuit against Schneider Logistics and Reliable Staffing claiming they were not paid what they were owed.

Schneider Logistics is contracted by Wal-Mart to run the distribution warehouse in Elwood. Reliable staffing, as reported by the Huffington Post, supplies workers for Schneider. In a press release announcing Schneider's contract with Wal-Mart, a Wal-Mart executive was quoted as saying: ""The Elwood distribution center will provide Wal-Mart the opportunity to better serve our stores throughout the Midwest,” said Johnnie Dobbs, executive vice president of logistics and supply chain for Wal-Mart. “Our partnership with American Port Services, Schneider Logistics and Schneider National will create hundreds of good paying jobs for the region and represents our continued commitment to Illinois as a partner in both economic and community development.""

In a Joliet Herald News article the president of Reliable Staffing stated all workers were paid what they were due according to law.

In contrast to the comments by Dobbs, the group Warehouse Workers for Justice claims many of the jobs in Will County Warehouses are not good jobs. Warehouse Workers for Justice claim 2/3 of the workers in Will County warehouses are temps making poverty level wages, based on a survey of warehouse workers conducted by the group.

In response to publication of the survey, the Joliet Herald News published an editorial that warned there was little to protect workers from being exploited in warehouses. In response to the Herald's editorial, Will County Center for Economic Development CEO and President John Grueling wrote an editorial challenging the methodology and thus the veracity of the Warehouse Workers for Justice survey. Grueling also wrote, in regards to the warehouse industry, "This industry offers employment opportunities to that segment of the population with the fewest options for earning a living wage."

Here are some videos from the Warehouse Workers for Justice meeting where the group released the findings of its report:

Mike Wolfe of American Pickers from Joliet!

2011-04-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

Did anyone else do a double-take when Mike Wolfe of American Pickers just said he was from Joliet?

Wolfe has previously explained he grew up poor in Joliet, where he began his career finding bikes and other items in the trash and reselling them.

Maybe newly-elected mayor Tom Giarrante and the City of Joliet could get some sort of financing deal available to bring an Antique Archeology store to downtown Joliet. There are too many beautiful buildings sitting under utilized. An Antique Archeology--in my opinion--would bring a great amount of foot traffic downtown, creating an environment where more people would go downtown to shop. Plus it would draw shoppers from Chicago, producing more customers for downtown shops and restaurants.

What do you think? A Joliet branch of Antique Archeology to anchor the new shops planned for the downtown Joliet intermodal high-speed rail station?

There is so much history in and around Joliet, from the Joliet Arsenal to Will County's agricultural heritage, an Antique Archeology would be an awesome place to celebrate that history.

Storms with capability of producing tornadoes head toward Will County

2011-04-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

Severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes are headed toward Will County later today.

It feels like summer today, and it is that warm, humid air that could produce strong storms when a cold front moves through the area this evening. Make sure to be aware of weather conditions and prepare to move indoors if the weather becomes dangerous.

This same system produced damaging tornadoes in Iowa yesterday. Here is some video of the tornadoes in Iowa yesterday, from Discovery Storm Chaser's Reed Timmer's company TornadoVideos.Net:

Culvers to open April 11th in New Lenox, are you ready to get culverized?

2011-04-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

Attention all Culvers fans! Whether you prefer a butterburger, a butterburger with cheese, custard, or concrete mixers, you are in luck.

The new Culvers on Route 30 in New Lenox is set to open April 11, 2011.
The Culvers is in the same development area as Wal-Mart, and is located next to a new White Castle. There is new Physicians Immediate Care building going up, and the sign says they will open in June.

Job Fair at Downtown Joliet Junior College Campus

2011-04-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

Joliet Junior College will host its 12th annual Regional Job Fair tomorrow at the City Center Campus in downtown Joliet. From the JJC webpage:
"Joliet Junior College will host its annual Joliet Regional Job Fair on April 7 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the City Center Campus, 214 North Ottawa St. in downtown Joliet.

The job fair is free and open to the public. Participating employers will offer a variety of opportunities at all skill levels, said fair organizer and JJC Career Services Director Mary Jo Wolfersberger. She also noted that resumes are required for admittance to the job fair.

Those who plan to attend should:

• Bring 20 to 25 copies of their resume. A resume is required to be admitted to the Joliet Regional Job Fair

• Come prepared for on-the-spot interviews

• Dress professionally

• Review the web sites of the employers to learn more about the companies

• Only job seekers with resumes will be admitted"

Many large area employers will be at the job fair, such as Provena, Harris Joliet Casino, The Home Depot, and many more.

Giarrante wins Joliet's Mayoral Election with 3,942 votes (unofficial results)

2011-04-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

Tom Giarrante has been elected to be the new mayor of Joliet. According to unofficial results on the Will County Clerk's page, Giarrante has won with 3,942 votes. Unofficially, 14, 983 people voted in the Joliet Mayoral Election. According to the 2010 census, the population of Joliet is 147, 433.

Unofficial Results: Tom Giarrante Elected Mayor of Joliet

2011-04-05T19:07:00.000-07:00

According to the Will County Clerk's unofficial election results website, Tom Giarrante has been elected Mayor of Joliet.

According to the Will County Clerk's unofficial results, with 111 of 111 precincts reporting, Giarrante has won with 3, 531 votes. The results are unofficial, from the Will County Clerk: "UNOFFICIAL RESULTS

On Election Night, as precincts are reporting, you will see the results being tabulated. These results will not include the Absentee by mail, Servicemen or Early Voting results. We will upload these results at the very end of the evening after all 445 precincts have been checked in.

Election results will not be official until Tuesday, April 26, when canvassing of votes is completed and after absentee ballots postmarked by midnight, April 4, and provisional and grace period ballots are counted on April 19."

The next highest vote-getter was Warren Dorris with 2, 730 votes, that number is again an unofficial result.

Wilmington Election Results

2011-04-04T19:45:00.001-07:00

To get Wilmington, Illinois election results, go to the Will County Clerk's election results page. Results will be posted as precincts report after the polls close at 7p.m. on April 5th, 2011.

Joliet Job Corps Participates in the National Job Corps Oratory Competition

2011-04-03T06:49:00.000-07:00

Participants in the Joliet Job Corps participated in the 2010 National Job Corps Oratory Competition. Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the US Department of Labor "that helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. The Job Corps program is authorized by Title I-C of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998."

The Joliet Job Corps is located on the site of the former Joliet East High School, 1101 Mills Road, Joliet.
Joliet Job Corps is overseen by the Chicago Regional Office of Job Corps. Joliet Job Corps participants live in dormitories on site and complete educational training and career training in field such as culinary arts and certified nursing assisting.

For the 2010 Oratory Competition, Joliet Job Corps participants composed and delivered speeches responding to the prompt, "How has Job Corps impacted your life?"

Here are two Joliet Job Corps participants participating in the oratory competition:

Warehouse Workers for Justice to hold vigil in downtown Joliet on anniversary of Dr. King's assassination

2011-04-02T20:11:00.000-07:00

The local group Warehouse Workers for Justice will commemorate the anniversary of Dr. King's assassination with a vigil in Downtown Joliet April 4, 2011. See the Warehouse Workers for Justice press release for more details:

"Vigil planned to commemorate MLK dream on April 4

Warehouse Workers call to Revive the American Dream

FOR RELEASE ON: April 1, 2011

Press contact: Abraham Mwaura, Warehouse Workers for Justice: 312.775.2154 abe@warehouseworker.org

On April 4th, 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, where he had gone to stand with sanitation workers demanding their dream: The right to bargain collectively for a voice at work and a better life.

In celebration of the life and dream of MLK Jr. Warehouse Workers for Justice is hosting a vigil at the Will County Courthouse calling to revive the American dream on Monday, April 4th at 12 noon.

The vigil is part of a national day of action in support of workers rights in solidarity with working people in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and dozens of other states where workers rights to collective bargaining are under attack.

Who: Local pastors from various denominations, community leaders, warehouse workers and members of Warehouse Workers for Justice.

What: Prayer Vigil and call to action.

When: Monday, April 4 at 12pm noon

Where: Will County Courthouse, 14 W. Jefferson St. Joliet, IL "

Joliet will have a new mayor for the first time in 20 years, will you vote?

2011-04-02T07:14:00.000-07:00

The City of Joliet will elect a new mayor on Tuesday, April 5th.

There are 9 candidates for mayor:

Jan Quillman
Kevin Hegarty
Warren Dorris
Andy Mihelich
Diane Harris
Dale Vollmer
Michael Marconi
Dr. Brown
Tom Giarrante

Since there are so many candidates, it is possible that a mayor will be elected with a few thousand votes. In 2007, 10,328 people voted (according to statistics on the Will County Clerk's website). There are 9 candidates. Do the math:

UPDATE:

Giarrante wins Joliet's Mayoral Election with 3,942 votes (unofficial results)

Will farmers plant record number of corn acres?

2011-03-30T18:34:00.000-07:00

by ann baskerville

The United States Department of Agriculture is releasing the Farm Acreage and Stock report tomorrow, March 31, 2011. The information in the report will likely affect commodity prices. For example, if the report shows farmers deciding to plant more acres in corn than soybeans, that could push prices for soybeans higher, depending on other factors such as world markets and soybean crop yields in other countries.

Corn is currently (as of April 10, 2011) trading above 7 dollars a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade.

One local farmer is indeed increasing corn acreage plans based on current commodity prices, check out Will County News Farming for the full story.

Seagulls flock to newly-plowed soil. This field of alfalfa is getting plowed so that the farmer can plant corn on this acreage.

Aerial Photos of the new Joliet Centerpoint Intermodal and Union Pacific Intermodal Terminal

2011-03-19T08:32:00.000-07:00

They say a picture is worth a thousands words, so rather than describe the new Joliet Centerpoint Intermodal and Union Pacific Terminal in words, here is an aerial photo:

Joliet Centerpoint Intermodal and Union Pacific Terminal, photo by Eric Hiller

Eric Hiller, owner of Cygnus Communications Corporation, a local business with an office in downtown Joliet that is a leading provider of wireless and wireline telecommunications services across northern Illinois took this photo from a communications tower while working on equipment.

You can select the photo for a larger view. The Chicagoland Speedway is visible in the upper left of the photo.

More photos of the Joliet CenterPoint Intermodal and Union Pacific Terminal:

Joliet CenterPoint Intermodal, looking North towards Joliet. Photo by Eric Hiller

Joliet Slammers Baseball Team to hold job fair at Silver Cross Field

2011-03-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

The Joliet Slammers Baseball team is looking for workers! The Slammers will hold a job fair Saturday, March 26th at Silver Cross Field from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..

The Slammers are looking to fill the following positions: ushers, ticket takers, box office workers, security guards, concession workers, grounds crew, promo crew, Slammer Shop workers and more.

For more information, go here.

Is Joliet the next Madison?

2011-03-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

In case you've been wondering why a blog called "Will County News" would be posting so much about the events in Madison, Wisconsin (http://willcountynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/wisconsin-farmers-union-to-drive.html, http://willcountynewsviewpoints.blogspot.com/2011/03/gov-scott-walkers-budget-bill-passed-in.html), it's because it's not just about Madison, it's about the ongoing debate about wages and compensation for public employees, and that debate has arrived with full-force in Joliet. Just open today's Herald News, where the wages for all City of Joliet employees are listed. The Herald lists www.slideshare.net/JolietCitizen/joliet-2010-payroll as its source.

In Wisconsin, many public employees had not paid into their own pension fund. The entire yearly pension contribution was made by the state, at 10% of earnings. So, if you made 30,000 a year, your employer--the University of Wisconsin or a local school district--would put 3,000 in the Wisconsin Retirement System on your behalf. With the passage of Walker's budget repair bill, many teachers and other state employees will pay half of their yearly pension contribution, in the example above, an employee making 30,000 a year would contribute 1500 to his or her pension from wages.

Walker's bill also requires many public employees to contribute more towards their own health insurance and only allows public employee unions--with the exception of police and fire--to collectively bargain over wages, which can only increase as much as cost of living.

There have been weeks of protest in the Wisconsin Capitol, as the bill has been described by critics as Union Busting and an attack on Middle-Class families:

Wisconsin "Budget Repair Bill" Protest from Matt Wisniewski on Vimeo.

Just yesterday, members of the Wisconsin Farmers Union and the Family Farm Defenders drove tractors around the capitol to protest Walker's bill.

During an interview with CBS, Walker defended the bill, explaining people such as his brother and his sister-in-law, who work in the private sector, already pay all of their own 401K contributions and much of their own health care costs. Walker said this bill brings public-employee compensation more in line with what everyone else is experiencing, with regards to rising health costs and people taking over responsibility for their own retirement.

Now, to Joliet.

Joliet is facing a massive budget problem. Yahoo listed it as one of 16 cities most likely to go bankrupt.

In their article, the Herald News asked each candidate to respond to the question, "When union negotiations begin will you seek -pay cuts, -a pay freeze, -pay raise, -a hike in employee contributions for benefits, -to keep benefits and contributions the same"

The Herald News will also bring up these questions at the candidates forum to be held March 31 at 7 pm at the University of St. Francis recreation center.

So, make no mistake about it, the public-employee compensation discussion is here in Joliet.

At a recent mayoral candidate forum held by the Plainfield Township Republicans, candidates answered questions about the budget:

I don't see Joliet having Madison-like protests, the question is, as the election moves closer and candidates are asked to take a hard stance on the issue of public employee compensation, what will we see in Joliet?

"We have tractors" on the square in Madison, Wisconsin, Photos, Videos of Farmers Protesting Budget Repair Bill

2011-03-12T11:06:00.000-08:00

This is the first YouTube video I could find of the tractor parade around the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin. The tractors came to Madison through the organization of the Wisconsin Farmers Union and the Family Farm Defenders. Both groups came out to protest Gov. Walker's Budget Repair bill, saying it is bad for Rural America.

More video of tractors circling the State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin on 3/12/11:

A representative from Family Farm Defenders says the purpose of the tractorcade is to show how the budget repair bill affects Rural America. He said Walker is attacking school funding and Badger care. The representative from Family Farm Defenders said 11,000 Wisconsin farmers are on Badgercare and will lose it due to the Budget Repair Bill:

Check out this great video of the Tractorcade on madison.com: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/video/vmix_836d3f40-4d15-11e0-a547-001cc4c03286.html

Tractors and farmers arrive in Madison, Wisconsin, tens of thousands protest Walker's budget bill

2011-03-12T10:10:00.000-08:00

The tractors have arrived in Madison, Wisconsin and are circling the capitol: http://yfrog.com/h4qydzdj
and http://yfrog.com/gz4xopsj.

The Wisconsin Farmers Union organized a tractorcade to Madison in order to protest Gov. Walker's Budget Repair Bill. In a press release, the Wisconsin Farmers Union said:

“Much has been said about billionaires or union ‘bosses’ calling the shots about what happens with this legislation,” said WFU President Darin Von Ruden, a Westby-area dairy farmer. “The drive for this tractorcade and rally came directly from farmers and is being done under farmers’ direction.”

“Our grass-roots farmers say it’s wrong to take away things like BadgerCare and destroy our public schools when that doesn’t really have to be done,” said FFD Executive Director John Peck.

Family farmers say the bills would potentially take BadgerCare from the approximately 11,000 family farm people who depend upon BadgerCare as their primary health insurance, and that the bills will destroy rural schools.

Farm Labor Tractorcade organizers are inviting participants and supporters to wear green during the tractorcade and rally to reflect the event’s grass-roots nature."

Wisconsin Farmers Union to drive tractors to Madison to Participate in Rally at the Wisconsin Capitol

2011-03-11T17:08:00.000-08:00

The Wisconsin Farmers Union is planning a "Tractorcade" to Madison, Wisconsin, read the full press release from the Wisconsin Farmers Union website:

"WISCONSIN FARMERS UNION
For immediate release: March 9, 2011
For More Information Contact: Scott Schultz 715-723-5561 (office) or 715-533-5906 (cell)sschultz@wisconsinfarmersunion.com
Hightower to join farmers during farmers’ ‘tractorcade’ and rally Madison, Wis. (March 9, 2011) – Nationally syndicated populist columnist Jim Hightower will join Wisconsin family farmers during a tractorcade and rally Saturday at the state capitol in Madison.

The Farm Labor Tractorcade, sponsored by Wisconsin Farmers Union and Family Farm Defenders, will have a tractor parade 10-11 a.m. from John Nolan Drive to Capitol Square. The tractor parade will be followed by an 11:30 a.m. rally at the capitol.

Hightower, a long-time political activist and former Texas agriculture commissioner, will add to voices from farmers who want Gov. Scott Walker and supporters of his budget repair bill and biennial budget proposal to hear how the bills would hurt family farmers and rural communities.

“Our grass-roots farmers say it’s wrong to take away things like BadgerCare and destroy our public schools when that doesn’t really have to be done,” said FFD Executive Director John Peck.

Farm Labor Tractorcade organizers are inviting participants and supporters to wear green during the tractorcade and rally to reflect the event’s grass-roots nature.

Farmers who want to drive their tractors in the tractorcade should contact Peck at the FFD office, telephone (608) 260-0900, or e-mailfamilyfarmdefenders@yahoo.com.

The tractorcade will approach the capitol John Nolan Drive to Broom Street, and then on Broom Street to Wilson Street. It will continue on Wilson Street to Hamilton Street, and then to Capitol Square. The tractors will be on the square until about 11 a.m.

# # #

Wisconsin Farmers Union, a member-driven organization, is committed to enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities and all citizens through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors and civic engagement."

Earlier in the week, almost immediately after the State Senate passed Walker's bill, the president of the Madison Firefighters Union advocated for a general strike, "first statewide, then nationwide."

General Strike in Wisconsin? Madison Firefighter Union President advocates for general strike, chaos as Assembly passes bill

2011-03-10T16:00:00.000-08:00

The President of the Madison, Wisconsin Firefighters Union advocated for a general strike, saying the strike should go, "statewide, then nationwide."

Here is a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Video from the Assembly floor as the bill passed to shouts of "Shame" from both the people in the gallery and the Democratic State Representatives. The Rev. Jesse Jackson was also on the floor and can be seen in the video: http://bcove.me/4s3um1gx

Live from Madison: http://theuptake.org/2011/03/09/wisconsin-senate-votes-to-eliminate-collective-bargaining/

Madison Wisconsin Firefighters Union President advocates for General Strike as Gov. Walker's bill passes in Wisconsin Senate

2011-03-10T04:35:00.000-08:00

Thousands of protesters rushed to the Wisconsin State Capitol after Governor Scott Walkers budget repair bill was passed by the Wisconsin Senate after being amended slightly to allow it to pass without the quorum currently denied the Senate because 14 Democratic State Senators fled the state to Illinois.

Some protesters at the capitol were calling for a general strike, including the President of the Madison Firefighters Union, who said the strike should go, "statewide, then nationwide":

Here are some more scenes from the 3-9-11 protests at the Wisconsin Capitol:

Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living receives $181, 921 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

2011-03-09T18:28:00.000-08:00

The Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living, located at 2415-A West Jefferson Street in Joliet, received a grant of $181, 921 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, according to the federal website, recovery.gov.

According to Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living Executive Director Pam Heavens, the ARRA funds "made an enormous and positive difference in our ability to continue to service our consumers." Furthermore, Heavens said the ARRA funds allowed the center to retain a staff that "provides information and referral to more than 2300 individuals annually."

Since opening in 1989, the Center has operated only on grants and contributions.

According to its website, the Center provides services such as: housing referrals, peer counseling, interpreter referral, amplified telephones and more. To find out more about the services offered by the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living, visit the Center's website.

Manhattan Irish Fest Parade 2011

2011-03-05T12:01:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos from the 17th annual Manhattan Irish Fest Parade:

The New Lenox American Legion leads off the Manhattan Irish Fest Parade

Will County Auditor Duffy Blackburn at the Manhattan Irish Fest Parade

Tyk for Trustee at the Manhattan Irish Fest Parade

Tom Biscan at the Manhattan Irish Fest Parade

Kid Country Childcare at the Manhattan Irish Fest Parade

The Doyle clan at the Manhattan Irish Fest Parade

Manhattan Irish Fest 2011

2011-02-26T11:47:00.000-08:00

Manhattan, Illinois will celebrate its 17th Irish Fest March 4th and 5th.

Manhattan Irish Fest will have activities for all age groups:

CHILDREN AND YOUTH:

ll Children's and Youth Activities will be held at the Manhattan Park District Recreation Center 397 S State St.

Scheduled Events:
*Friday March 4 --*
	6:00 - 7:00 -- Stormin' Norman (DJ) 7:00 - 7:45 -- Street Worthy (Band) 7:45 - 8:30 -- Stormin' Norman (DJ) 8:30 - 9:00 -- Street Worthy (Band) 9:00 -10:00 -- Stormin' Norman (DJ)
*Saturday March 5 --*
9:00a -- Noon Warming Station	Operation Care Package will be selling Hot Chocolate and Coffee.

12:00 noon-5:00p: Games & Prizes:	Carnival Games-- Big Mouth,Frog Hop,Star Darts, Boom Blasters, Shuffle Bowl, Teen High Striker, Fat Cats, Skee Roll, Tip-A-Troll, Rock Band, Flip Books, Wax Hands and Sand Art.
12:15-12:45:	Bag Piper - Interactive
12:45-1:00	Irish Step Dancers
1:00-2:00	The Magic Dentist
6:00p - 9:00p	6:00 - 6:45 -- Street Worthy (Band) 6:45 - 7:30 -- Stormin' Norman (DJ) 7:30 - 8:00 -- Street Worthy (Band) 8:00 - 9:00 -- Stormin' Norman (DJ)
9:00p	Building Closes

ALL AGES:

Cultural Area

St Joseph’s Grade School

Saturday, March 5, 2011

9:00 Irish Mass at St Joseph Church

9:00-4:00 Trinity Knot Irish Store

9:00-4:00 Concessions

1:00 -1:15 Stock Yard Kilty Pipe Band

1:15-1:30 Triallta Irish Step Dancers

1:30 - 2:00 Manhattan Music Angels

2:00 - 3:30 Author & Folk Singer

Lee Murdock

Other Activities

Saturday, March 5, 2011

9:00am Mass – St Joseph’s Church

Noon-2:00 Caboose - Historical Society

11:00am Parade- Downtown

1:00 Rugby – Central Park

Manhattan Morrigans

2:00 Rugby – Central Park

Manhattan Shamrocks

ADULTS:

Friday, March 4, 2011 – 21 and older only

5:30-6:00 Irish Music

6:00 - 8:00 James & Wright -

Righteous Hillbillies

8:00 - 8:30 Grand Marshal/King &

Queen

8:30 - 10:30 Fisticuffs

10:30 Last Pour

11:00 Tent Closed

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Entertainment Area

Manhattan Central Park

Friday, March 4, 2011 – 21 and older only

5:30-6:00 Irish Music

6:00 - 8:00 James & Wright -

Righteous Hillbillies

8:00 - 8:30 Grand Marshal/King &

Queen

8:30 - 10:30 Fisticuffs

10:30 Last Pour

11:00 Tent Closed

The Manhattan Irish Fest is sponsored by the Irish American Society of County Will.

Learn to Cook Outdoors with the Forest Preserve District of Will County

2011-02-26T08:07:00.000-08:00

Program on Dutch Oven Cooking Sponsored by Forest Preserve District of Will County

"Dutch Oven Cooking," a free, adult program sponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Will County, will be Sunday, March 6, 10:00 a.m., at Riverview Farmstead, in Naperville. Registration is required.

Dutch oven cooking is a traditional way to cook outdoors. This program will offer various methods and uses for Dutch oven cooking, provide some historic background, and demonstrate different techniques and recipes.

This program will take place outdoors over uneven, natural terrain.

Riverview Farmstead is located on Book Road between 111th and 119th Streets, in Naperville.

For information and registration, call 815-886-1467.

Get City of Chicago Mayor's Race Results

2011-02-22T17:08:00.000-08:00

The City of Chicago is posting election results from the February 2011 Municipal General Election for Mayor.

Will County is of course influenced by the policies adopted by the elected officials of Chicago. People moving from the city to suburban and exurban areas contributed to Will County's 2010 population of 677,560, up from 502,266 in 2000.

Jesse Jackson at Homegoing Celebration for Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet

2011-02-21T16:45:00.000-08:00

by ann baskerville

The Rev. Jesse Jackson is speaking now at the Homegoing Celebration for Civil Rights Leader The Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton.

Watch online now: http://www.mtzionjoliet.org/MZBC_TV.html

Jesse Jackson came to Joliet to honor Singleton, a man who marched with Dr. King. Jackson came from Madison, Wisconsin where he participated in labor rallies and is headed back to Madison to speak to a group of Madison East High School students tomorrow.

Jackson honored The Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton and his tireless work for justice.

Here is a historic photo of the Revs. Singleton and Jackson from 1974.

Jackson said of Singleton, "he never missed a chance to fight for justice. It's not enough to say he fought the good fight....cuz, really, it ain't finished...This is a comma, not a period. Tomorrow we get up on our journey to keep the Singleton dream alive."

"We thank God for the life of the Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton....For every picket line he walked, for every hand he held out...for every head that leaned on his shoulder, we thank God for him tonight"

Homegoing Celebration for the Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton available to be viewed online

2011-02-21T08:19:00.000-08:00

The Homegoing Celebration for local Civil Rights Leader the Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton will be held today in Joliet at 6pm at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet.

Update: New Online Streaming Site for The Rev. Dr. Singleton's Homegoing Celebration:

Singleton's funeral services will be available to be viewed online at: http://www.mtzionjoliet.org/MZBC_TV.html

Singleton was the pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet for over 40 years. Prior to becoming pastor

at Mt. Zion, Singleton served the Russell Street Church in East St. Louis, IL and the Colette Street Church in Danville, IL. Under Singleton's leadership, Mt. Zion's membership grew from 100 to 2,000 members.

Singleton was the founder and past president of the Joliet Affiliate Rainbow/P.U.S.H. Coalition and he served as the religious coordinator for the Illinois Rainbow/P.U.S.H. and iNational Board Member.

Update: View Rev. Dr. Singelton's Homegoing
Program and Booklet and Musical Tribute Program.

Warehouse Workers for Justice will support workers marching to demand billing and payment records at Reliable Staffing in New Lenox, Illinois

2011-02-19T08:25:00.000-08:00

The group Warehouse Workers for Justice, a group in Will County that meets at Sacred Heart Church in Joliet, has released a press release, read the entire press release:

"Temp warehouse workers take action over missing wages

Reliable Staffing workers demand improved conditions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 18, 2011

Press contact: Abraham Mwaura, Warehouse Workers for Justice: 312.775.2154 abe@warehouseworker.org

Chris Williams, Attorney WHLC: 312.795.9115 cwilliams@workers-law.org

Who: Employees of Reliable Staffing agency, local clergy and community supporters

What: Employees of Reliable Staffing agency will attempt to collect billing and pay records from the temp staffing agency. Workers have complained about problems with their pay to the company and delivered written requests for records from the company but have not received records they are entitled to by law. A community delegation will be there to support employees claiming thousands of dollars in owed back wages.

When: Monday, February 21 at 11 a.m.

Where: 14422 Edison Dr # A, New Lenox, IL

Visual: Workers and community supporters will march in to demand billing and payment records that would serve as proof of wage theft.

Workers at Reliable Staffing in New Lenox, IL are fighting for wages still owed to them after the Christmas season. Several warehouse workers employed by the agency at area warehouses approached Warehouse Workers for Justice for assistance when they discovered that they had not been paid for all the wages they were due.

"The checks were always short," said Robert Hines, who worked as a Reliable employee at the WalMart warehouse in Elwood. "When I asked a supervisor about it they told me that they don't handle that and gave me the run around. I worked hard for peanuts."

A delegation of Reliable employees, joined by community supporters, will confront Reliable about work place abuses and make a final attempt to get copies of their billing and payment records. Workers believe these records will prove that they were shorted hours, not paid their legally owed show up pay, not paid overtime and in some cases were paid less than the legal minimum wage.

The workers have joined in delegations of warehouse workers who have been going to Springfield to demand fair wages and an end to the perma-temp system in Will County warehouses. A report released last year showed that 63% of workers in Will County warehouses are temps, earning poverty wages with few benefits."

Will County News called Reliable Staffing in order to get their response. Will County News left a message and asked Reliable Staffing to call back with their response. If you are from Reliable Staffing and reading this, you can also email your response to: willcountynews@gmail.com

UPDATE: In a Herald-News article regarding this issue--"The group said the requested records will prove Reliable employees were underpaid, not paid overtime and, in some cases, were paid less than the legal minimum wage.

But Reliable CEO Dan Gallagher said that is not true.

He said he has extensive records that show “every minute and every piece of work the individual did.” The problem isn’t his company’s pay system, it’s unproductive workers, he said. He also said he would be willing to spend a half hour with any employee who had payroll questions."

Firefighters, Jesse Jackson march in solidarity with Labor in Madison, Wisconsin

2011-02-19T06:19:00.000-08:00

Madison public schools were closed for the 3rd day in a row yesterday as a massive rally took place in Wisconsin's capital. The Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke to the crowd and led the group in singing "We Shall Overcome":

Madison Firefighters marched to the capitol carrying signs reading "Firefighters for Labor", check it out:

Photos from Madison.

Union Busting in Wisconsin?

2011-02-17T04:19:00.001-08:00

Head on over to Will County News Politics--http://willcountynewspolitics.blogspot.com/2011/02/schools-close-10000-plus-rally-in.html--and share your thoughts about the Protests in Madison, Wisconsin today.

Funeral Arrangements for the Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton, Funeral Service to be available online

2011-02-12T05:47:00.000-08:00

Long-time pastor and Civil Rights leader the Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton died on Thursday, February 10, 2011 in Joliet, Illinois, where he served for over 40 years as pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church and fought for Civil Rights and Justice.

According to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Website, funeral arrangements are as follows:

Funeral Arrangements

Body will Lie in Repose for Viewing

Sunday, February 20, 2011 from 3pm to 9 pm

Monday, February 21, 2011 from 10am to 6 pm

Homegoing Celebration

Monday, February 21, 2011 at 6pm

Internment

Tuesday, February 22, at 10am

Singleton's funeral services will be available to be viewed online at: http://www.mtzionjoliet.org/MZBC_TV.html

You can also watch The Rev. Dr. Singleton's final sermon "Route 66" on this site.

The Death of Joliet Civil Rights Leader The Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton

2011-02-11T17:32:00.000-08:00

The Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton--who served as pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet for over 40 years and was currently serving as pastor emeritus at Mt. Zion--passed away February 10, 2011. Funeral arrangements are pending, according to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church website.

According to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church website, Rev. Singleton marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the struggle for Civil Rights. Singleton worked tirelessly to help people find jobs, homes, and re-gain their rights.

Singleton spread the gospel throughout the world. Prior to becoming pastor at Mt. Zion, Singleton served the Russell Street Church in East St. Louis, IL and the Colette Street Church in Danville, IL. Under Singleton's leadership, Mt. Zion's membership grew from 100 to 2,000 members.

Singleton served countless community organizations and received numerous awards from local organizations.

Recently, Singleton spoke regarding labor issues raised by the local group Warehouse Workers for Justice. At a January 2010 ecumenical celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. birth, Singleton put the current labor issues in a historical context:

"The Rev. Isaac Singleton also addressed the crowd in Mt. Zion Baptist Church and spoke of the progress made by the black community, and of the struggle ahead.

“I remember when we couldn’t go downtown and buy nothing,” Singleton said. He also recalled “sitting on the back of the bus in Joliet.”

“I think about how far God brought us,” Singleton said, later adding,” We are really not that much better off than we were years ago.

“We’re not where we ought to be, and we’re not where we should be,” the reverend said. “But you have come along way.”

Most importantly, Singleton said, men and women of all races need to “stick together as people.”

“As people of the United States of America,” he said, “and more specifically, Joliet, Illinois, because we can make a difference.”"

You can listen to the ENTIRE audio of The Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton's last sermon at Mt. Zion Baptist Church here. Listening to the congregation respond to Singleton, it is clear the love and dedication Mt. Zion feels for their pastor.

Here is a video of The Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton's last official sermon at Mt. Zion Baptist Church:

Photos of Blizzard 2011 in Will County

2011-02-03T09:40:00.000-08:00

Bitter cold moved into the Joliet area after Wednesday's blizzard, as evidenced by the steam coming off the Des Plaines River

Sunset after the Blizzard of 2011

Drifting snow around a farm building in Manhattan, Illinois

Cows explore a snow drift in Manhattan, Illinois

Will County Blizzard 2011: Manhattan Township

2011-02-02T10:29:00.000-08:00

Will County rural roadways were covered with large snowdrifts after a night of blizzard winds. Here are two photos of Gougar Road, just south of Manhattan, Illinois.

Blizzard 2011, Manhattan Township

Thankfully, Manhattan Township plows were out in force and had the road clear before noon:

Blizzard of 2011 on a Will County Farm

2011-02-02T07:53:00.000-08:00

Cattle eat morning feed during the Blizzard of 2011

Snow drifts along a Will County Barn

Cow drinking water during the Blizzard of 2011. Thankfully, the electricity stayed on, allowing electric heaters to keep the water from freezing

Farmer's footprints through a snowbank along the barn.

Will County Farmers contended with blizzard conditions as cows were fed this morning

Snow continues to fall and drift as farmers complete morning chores during the Blizzard of 2011

Cows eat hay during the Blizzard of 2011 in Manhattan, Illinois

Breaking News: Congressman Adam Kinzinger Speaks On House Floor Re: Health Care Act

2011-01-19T13:44:00.000-08:00

Health care was a key issue for Congressman Kinzinger during his successful campaign against Democrat Debbie Halvorson. In the months leading up to the November 2010 election, Kinzinger held a series of town halls throughout the Illinois 11th Congressional District where he discussed the health care legislation with the citizens that came to the town halls.

Kinzinger posted the following position on health care to his congressional campaign website--electadam.com--

"HEALTH CARE
Our country does have a health care crisis of affordability and accessibility. I opposed the bill signed by President Obama as I found it did not address the issue of cost nor address the crisis in a fiscally responsible manner. We should take steps to increase the number of people with health insurance but the answer is not expanding the role of the federal government, cutting Medicare or raising taxes on Americans and businesses.

We need to make health care coverage more affordable by allowing Americans to buy insurance across state lines, increasing the purchasing power of individuals and small businesses to pool together to obtain cheaper health insurance premiums, enacting tort reform and offering full federal tax deductibility for qualified medical expenses such as premiums, out of pocket spending, deductibles and co-payments.

To increase access to health insurance, I support measures that make it illegal to deny or prevent coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions or to institute annual or lifetime limits on individuals/families.

We need to support measures that reduce costs, which will ultimately affect the price of premiums and the number of people who can afford insurance. A government takeover is neither the answer nor the reforms the American people are looking for. "

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in Joliet, Illinois

2011-01-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in Joliet.

The Rainbow/Push Coalition-Joliet Chapter is hosting its Annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this Sunday, January 16, at 7 p.m.

The event will take place at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 402 Singleton Place, Joliet, Illinois.

The speaker for the event will be Joliet City Councilman, Elder Warren Dorris, Jr. Elder Dorris is also the Pastor of Prayer Tower COGIC and a candidate for Mayor of Joliet.

The Joliet Central Gossip Choir and other local churches will participate in the celebration.

Yahoo Finance includes Joliet, Illinois in list of cities that could go bankrupt

2011-01-12T17:30:00.000-08:00

Yahoo Finance has placed Joliet on a list of 16 cities that could face bankruptcy in 2011.

According to the article:

"Joliet, Il

Deficit through December 2011: $21 million

Budget in FY2010: $274 million

Annualized gap: 7.7%

Last year, the city increased property tax by over 12 percent and hiked water and sewer rates by 45 percent over three years to help with the deficit. The city council also cut police and public sector jobs."

The City of Joliet budget will obviously be a big issue in the 2011 April Mayoral race in Joliet.

The following people are running for Mayor of Joliet:

Kevin Hegarty
Andy Mihelich
Jan Quillman
Tom Giarrante
Diane Harris
Lester Brown
Michael J. Marconi
Warren Dorris
Dale Vollmer

The election will be held April 5, 2011.

Did your State Representative and/or State Senator vote for the Tax Increase?

2011-01-12T05:44:00.000-08:00

Did your State Senator and State Representative vote for the State's Tax Increase?

Here is a portion of the new tax bill, from the Illinois General Assembly's website:

"Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the rate of tax for individuals, trusts, and estates to (i) 5% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011 and prior to January 1, 2015, (ii) 3.75% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2015 and prior to January 1, 2025, (iii) 3.25% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025 (now, the rate is 3%). Increases the rate of tax for corporations to (i) 7% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011 and prior to January 1, 2015, (ii) 5.25% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2015 and prior to January 1, 2025, (iii) 4.8% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025 (now, the rate is 4.8%). Contains provisions concerning estimated taxes. Provides for deposits from the additional income tax proceeds into certain special funds related to education and human services. Provides that, if State spending for any fiscal year beginning in fiscal year 2012 and through fiscal year 2015 exceeds certain State spending limitations, then the tax rates shall be reduced to 3% of the taxpayer's net income for individuals, trusts, and estates and to 4.8% of the taxpayer's net income for corporations. Provides that the Auditor General shall examine any Public Act making an appropriation or statutory transfer from general funds and prepare a report on whether or not the State has exceeded the State spending limitation, which shall be filed with the Secretary of State and copies shall be filed with the Governor, the State Treasurer, the State Comptroller, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. Contains provisions concerning emergency spending. Makes related changes in the Illinois State Auditing Act. Amends the Secretary of State Act to require the Secretary of State notify the Auditor General of any Public Act filed with the Office of the Secretary of State making an appropriation or transfer of funds from the State treasury. Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that, for persons dying after December 31, 2010, "State tax credit" is defined as the amount calculable under the Internal Revenue Code as that credit would have been computed and allowed on December 31, 2001, with an exclusion amount of $2,000,000, and with a reduction to the adjusted taxable estate for any qualified terminable interest property election. Amends the State Finance Act to allow the Governor to reduce certain funds appropriated for statutory mandates to accommodate budgetary limitations. Effective immediately."

To read the entire act, and find out how your Senator and Representative voted, go here.

Kinzinger at Will County Veterans Assistance Commission Dinner

2011-01-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

Congressman Adam Kinzinger greeted veterans at the Will County Veterans Assistance Commission Annual Banquet held January 10, 2011 at Al's Steak House in Joliet, Illinois.

The Veterans Assistance Commission is a local response team for area veterans that helps veterans with a variety of issues.

Congressman Kinzinger greeted area veterans and in a short address said he is aware of the effort to make the old Silver Cross Hospital building an outpatient facility for veterans and he said he would work towards that goal.

The Forest Preserve of Will County's Spring Creek Greenway wins National Award

2011-01-11T08:26:00.000-08:00

The American Planning Association (APA) has selected the Forest Preserve District of Will Countys Spring Creek Greenway Master Plan to receive the 2011 National Planning Excellence Award for Implementation.

"This is a great honor to be selected by the American Planning Association," said Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners President Cory Singer. "The scope of the Spring Creek Greenway restoration project was possible only because of the contributions by our many partners. Such a large coalition of agencies coming together to preserve and restore hundreds of acres was a rare and wonderful accomplishment."

"The Spring Creek Greenway, created by years of property acquisitions, stands as an oasis of preserved open space in the urbanized New Lenox, Homer Glen and Mokena areas," said Marcella DeMauro, executive director of the Forest Preserve District of Will County. "We were pleased to bring our expertise to restore the different habitat types that this land originally held. The Master Plan brought together recreational opportunities with the primary focus of restoration to provide a beautiful, ecologically diverse landscape that can be enjoyed by Will County residents."

The Spring Creek Greenway Trail provides 4.85 miles of crushed limestone trail available for walking, horse-riding, and other non-motorized uses. The Spring Creek Greenway Trail is accessible from Gougar Rd, Bruce Road, and Route 6.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Offers Free Public Lectures in Winter 2011

2011-01-07T17:44:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for free, educational activities to fill some of your winter evenings? Do you enjoy learning about nature and the ecology of Will County's Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie?

If so, you may want to check out the Midewin 2011 Lecture Series:

From the Midewin website:

"The 2011 Midewin Lecture Series will offer many interesting public lectures throughout the the winter months. Each program will introduce participants to some aspect of the natural and cultural history of Midewin and northeastern Illinois. The presenters include Midewin staff, faculty from area universities, and individual experts.

Thursday, January 20: Bats, by Sharon Peterson, of Incredible Bats
Thursday, February 3: Barn Owl Reintroduction, by Dan Thompson,Ecologist, DuPage County Forest Preserve District
Thursday, February 17: Bison in the Tallgrass Prairie, by Chris Widga, Assistant Curator of Geology at the Illinois State Museum

(Remainder of lectures to be announced.)

All lectures begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Midewin Supervisor’s Office, located 2 miles north of Wilmington on Illinois Highway 53. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Advance registration is not necessary. There is no cost for attending the lecture. Complimentary drinks will be provided courtesy of the Midewin Alliance.

If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact Midewin at (815) 423-6370, or email Tyler Hinspeter at trhinspeter@fs.fed.us."

The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie was created by an act of Congress when the Joliet Arsenal was decommissioned.

Will County News has conducted two oral history interviews regarding the Joliet Arsenal:
--One interview with a man whose family's farm was bought by the government for the Joliet Arsenal
--One interview with a women who worked making TNT in the Joliet Arsenal

Congressman Adam Kinzinger sworn into office January 5, 2011

2011-01-06T07:49:00.000-08:00

Congressman Adam Kinzinger was sworn into office January 5, 2011.

Kinzinger defeated Democrat Debbie Halvorson to become the Illinois 11th Congressional district congressman in the November 2, 2010 General Election. In the Will County portion of the 11th Congressional district, Kinzinger received 60,087 votes while Halvorson received 49, 208.

Kinzinger now has a new House of Representatives website, which you can find here.

Kinzinger's Joliet office is located at 2801 Black Road, Suite 201, Joliet IL 60435.

Kinzinger has said he would vote to repeal the health care act.

Here is a recent interview Kinzinger did with WGN News in Chicago:

Photos of "No Airport" and other signs in and near the proposed "Peotone Airport" footrprint

2011-01-04T14:38:00.000-08:00

all photos by ann baskerville

No Airport Sign, between Peotone and Beecher, Illinois

"State Property" sign on some of the land the State of Illinois owns in the Peotone Airport Footprint

No Airport Sign, between Peotone and Beecher, Illinois

More info and updates on the Peotone Airport available at Will County News Peotone Airport News.

Rockdale, Illinois

2011-01-02T15:40:00.000-08:00

December 2, 2011 Rockdale Update on Escaped Prisoner: http://willcountynews.blogspot.com/2011/12/will-county-sheriffs-office-cautions.html

CenterPoint Joliet Intermodal visible from Rockdale, Illinois

The Joliet CenterPoint Intermodal opened for business in August of 2010.

The CenterPoint Joliet lights are visible from Midland Avenue in Rockdale. This video was taken just before going down the big Rockdale hill near St. Joe's Catholic Church in Rockdale, Illinois:

Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet to hold New Year's Eve Service

2010-12-31T10:07:00.000-08:00

Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet, Illinois will host a New Year's Eve celebration tonight at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church at 402 Singleton Place in Joliet Illinois.

According to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church's Website:

"Watch Night - 2010
All roads lead to to Zion on Friday, December 31st, 2010 @ 9:30PM.
We pray that all of the Mt. Zion Family will be there to "Praise in" the New Year together!
P.S. bring a friend... "

The Combined Choirs of Zion will sing and Pastor David G. Latimore will give An Anointed Word Sermon.

Mt. Zion Baptist Church is one of the most historically significant churches in the Joliet area. Longtime Mt. Zion Pastor the Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton was a noted Civil Rights Leader who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Singleton also founded the Joliet Affiliate Rainbow/P. U. S. H. Coalition.

I have heard nothing but amazing things about the Mt. Zion Choir, so if you are looking for a faith-filled way to ring in the New Year, you might want to check it out!