Will County News

Here are some photos from the 2013 Wilmington Holiday Parade: Wilmington Fire Department Engine with Christmas Lights Window with Christmas Angel in a Wilmington Antique Store Window People line the streets of downtown Wilmington to wait for the parade Wilmington, Illinois will celebrate the Holiday season with a Holiday Light Parade and Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 30 at 5 p.m..  Following the parade, there will be an  ice carving demonstration and a performance by the Wilmington ShowCats under the gazebo.  

By Mary Baskerville The Will County Farm Bureau’s 100-year history was celebrated November 23, 2013 at the Weitendorf Agricultural Education Center on Laraway Road. Drawing farmers, county and state leaders, and agriculture educators and supporters together, the event included a display of farm life spanning the century. Will County Board member Ken Harris said the displays were very interesting to him because as a County Board member it is helpful to gain information about agriculture and "understand the farmers and the people that are affected."  Harris is standing by a display of a John Deere corn husker and John Deere wagon holding ear corn. Will County Farm Bureau President Tom Nugent welcomed keynote speaker Orion Samuelson saying that his reputation as the “voice of agriculture” for over a half-century on WGN Radio was vital in helping explain the role of farming to many. Will County Farm Bureau President Tom Nugent (left)...

Manhattan will celebrate the Christmas Season with a Lighted Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 7th.  The parade starts at 6:00 p.m. and the tree lighting immediately follows. The Manhattan Park District is sponsoring cookies, activities, and a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus for kids in the Program Center before the parade from 3:00--5:00 p.m. (sign up at Program Center).    There also will be live reindeer on Gustafson Street from 3:30--5:30 p.m.. On Friday, December 6th, the Lincoln-Way Central Madrigal Signers will perform at the Park District Program Center at 7:30 p.m..  Admission is free but you must register with the Park District by December 5th. The tree lighting is a great way for the entire community to come together to celebrate.  Here is the scene from a previous Christmas Tree lighting in Manhattan:

State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, who represents the Illinois State Senate District 49, will host an info night on the Affordable Care Act, widely known as Obamacare, on October 2, 2013 in Plainfield. State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant represents the 49th Illinois State Senate District Please see the press release below from Bertino-Tarrant's office for event details: "PLAINFIELD  – Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) will be hosting a free informational seminar on the Affordable Care Act and how it will affect families, seniors and individuals on  October 2, 2013 from 6-7:30 p.m . at the Edward Plainfield Outpatient Center. AJ Wilhelmi, former State Senator and Chief Governmental Relations Officer for the Illinois Hospital Association, will be presenting at the event. “As we move closer to ACA implementation, many people are calling my office with questions about concerns such as pre-existing conditions, the effect on Medicare and even ...

Joliet Junior College Culinary Arts Professors demonstrate cooking with fresh ingredients at the JJC Farmers' Market By Ann Baskerville A $92,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Farmers' Market Promotion Program has allowed Joliet Junior College to create a weekly farmers' market on its campus.  According to the USDA website, the Farmer's Market Promotion Program: "o ffers grants to help improve and expand domestic farmers’ markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agri-tourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. Agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, producer associations, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers’ market authorities and Tribal governments are among those eligible to apply. The maximum amount awarded for any one proposal cannot exceed $100,000. Over $9 million i...

CMAP--The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning--has released public comment CMAP received regarding the proposed Illiana Expressway. CMAP received 965 comments on the Illiana.  169 comments supported including the Illiana Expressway in CMAP's GOTO2040 plan.  796 comments were opposed to the Illiana Expressway being included by CMAP in the GOTO2040 plan. Read all public comments submitted to CMAP here (this is a large document and will take a few minutes to load).

According to the group No Illiana For Us, representatives from the Illinois Department of Transportation and consultants working on the Illiana Corridor Study will attend the Tuesday, August 6 Will Township Board meeting at 7 p.m..  The Will Township building is located at 30317 South Will-Center Road in Peotone.