Will County News

Will County roads such as Route 53, Laraway Road, I-80, and I-55 have experienced increased semi-truck traffic in the last 10 years as new warehouses and intermodals have become operational. The Village of Elwood, site of one intermodal and petitioner in an Illinois Commerce Commission case that resulted in the closing of Walter Strawn Drive , has now launched a website called Safe Roads Illinois .  The website features statistics on truck-related accidents and deaths in Will County and videos of local residents discussing truck traffic in Will County: Here, Meri Knauer, grandmother of 8-year old Madison Frost, discussed her granddaughter's death. Madison was killed when her family's van was struck by a semi. Knauer stated, "We don't want Madison's death to be in vain, enough is enough": A mother discusses her fear regarding having her children driving on Will County roads: A friend of a man killed when a semi struck his car: Elwood Police Ch...

T he Illinois Department of Transportation is holding a public meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Stone City V.F.W. in Joliet, Illinois on IDOT's Phase I Study to address safety and operations along IL-53. Specifically, IDOT is studying the stretch of 53 from Rt. 52 (Doris Avenue near Nowell Park) to West Arsenal Road in Wilmington. The purpose of the meeting is for IDOT to " obtain public input on the transportation issues in the study area, describe the project development process, and provide information on additional public involvement opportunities "  according to the Illinois Route 53 Study Website .

Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk released the following press release regarding the addition of a Joliet Police foot patrol in downtown Joliet: "Joliet--- Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk today announced that two Joliet Police Officers will be assigned to a foot patrol in the Joliet City Center area to increase security for downtown businesses and visitors effective  September 27, 2015     “One of the complaints I heard frequently from both Joliet residents and visitors to our city in the last few years was that they did not feel safe downtown.   Joliet City Center may be one of the safest areas in Joliet due to the presence of the Joliet Police Headquarters, the courthouse and the Sheriff’s department, but all of those uniforms on Jefferson Street can’t be seen for more than a block,” said Mayor O’Dekirk.  “If we want to revitalize downtown Joliet, everyone needs to feel safe in addition to being safe.  The daily presence of two officers patrolling on foot ...

Filmmaker Tom Desch has documented Will County residents' fight against the proposed Peotone Airport for more than a decade.  Desch followed members of the citizen group STAND (Shut This Airport Nightmare Down) as they fought against the State of Illinois' use of eminent domain for an airport whose necessity has been argued for decades.  The State of Illinois now owns thousands of acres of land in the proposed airports footprint, including the former Bult Field, which the State of Illinois now operates as the "South Suburban Airport". Desch's film, The Field, will screen Saturday, October 17th at 4:30 p.m. in the K Building on Joliet Junior College's Main Campus.  Tickets to see the film are free, but should be reserved by calling the Box Office at 815-280-2200. Trailer for The Field: The Field: A Fight or Flight Story Trailer from House Painter Media on Vimeo .

The 112th Will County Fair begins Wednesday, August 26th and continues through Sunday the 30th at the Will County Fair Grounds in Peotone, Illinois.  For a full schedule, go here . Videos from previous Will County Fairs:

Voting on which school to close and taking action on attendance criteria are on the agenda for the August 13, 2015 Lincoln-Way Board of Education meeting.  The meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Lincoln-Way Central Fine Arts Center. Facing a financial deficit and placement on the State of Illinois financial watch list, the district must submit a deficit reduction plan to the State. Video from the July Lincoln-Way Board of Education Meeting:

Amazon is building a new fulfillment center in Joliet.  The new warehouse is currently under construction just east of the intersection of Laraway Road and Route 53: Amazon is advertising full-time jobs to be available at the fulfillment center-- http://www.amazonfulfillmentcareers.com/opportunities/warehouse-associate/amazon-hiring-joliet  .

Will County News received the following Illinois Department of Transportation Press Release on inspections of the Interstate 55 bridge over the Des Plaines River: "CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that routine inspections of the Interstate 55 truss bridges over the Des Plaines River near Channahon will begin, weather permitting, the morning of Monday, August 10, 2015. The inspections, required to be conducted every other year, will result in weekday closures, Monday through Thursday, on I-55 during the daytime hours for approximately two to three weeks. The southbound bridge will be inspected first, with daily lane closures scheduled in the southbound lanes, weather permitting, between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. The inspections on the northbound bridge will follow, with lane closures scheduled in the northbound lanes between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., weather permitting. Dynamic Message Signs will be in place whil...

Will County Forest Preserve Programs, from the Forest Preserve: Forest Preserve District Offers Bird, Boat, Farm and Photo Classes PLAINFIELD –  This year’s final two sessions of “ Lake Renwick Bird Viewing ” tours will be held from  10 to 11 a.m.  on  Wednesday, Aug. 12 , and  8 a.m. to noon  on  Saturday, Aug. 15 , at the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve, located on Renwick Road, 0.5 mile east of Route 30. On  Aug. 16  the preserve, which was closed except for the tours as the birds were nesting, will reopen for general use from  8 a.m.  to sunset through  Feb. 28 . Registration is not required for the bird viewings; the program is for ages 7 and older. NAPERVILLE  – A “ Riverview Farmstead Tour ” is scheduled for  6 to 8 p.m.  on  Thursday, Aug. 13 , at the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Riverview Farmstead, located on Book Road, south ...

At the July 16, 2015 Will County Board meeting, the board voted to extend issuing overweight truck permits for Arsenal Road.  The Board heard from people in the trucking and grain exporting industries who described their businesses and their use of Arsenal Road:

A silent prayer walk in memory of Sandra Bland was held today at her church, DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lisle, Illinois. After the prayer walk, Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. James Miller was asked his thoughts on the fact that officials have already said Bland committed suicide.  Miller said: "When you say what has happened before an investigation has been completed, you are tainting the investigation.  If you want to know Sandra Bland's character and personality, I invite you to her webpage and you will see she was strong willed and outspoken, but a Christian woman who was seeking reconciliation for this present age.  I'll leave you to your own conclusions." Members of the church collected signatures in support of a petition asking the U.S. Justice Department to conduct an independent investigation into Bland's death. "We're asking everyone who will to write Attorney Lynch, the Attorney General of the United States of America...t...

At the July 16, 2015 Lincoln-Way School Board Meeting, the Board voted to stop consideration of two proposed deficit-reduction options: a tax referendum and cutting classes or extracurriculars.  The only proposed option remaining is closing a school. Superintendent Tingley presented options for attendance boundaries and school closures.  The Board asked for more information on bus travel times for each of the options.  The Board also discussed the possibility of bringing in an outside consultant to analyze the situation. The Board will discuss which school to consider for closure at the next meeting. Video of public comment from a father of a Lincoln-Way student and a Lincoln-Way teacher: New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann on supporting all Lincoln-Way Schools: The Lincoln-Way Board of Education discusses budget reduction options:

Taking action on deficit reduction options is on the agenda for the July 16, 2015 meeting of the Lincoln-Way School Board.  The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Lincoln-Way Central Fine Arts Center. Lincoln-Way was placed on the State of Illinois Financial Watch list in March of 2015.  The School Board must turn in a budget reduction plan to the State by September 2015. Deficit reduction options that have been discussed include closing a high school, a tax referendum, and cutting classes and extra-curriculars.  Check out the July 16, 2015 Lincoln-Way School Board Meeting Agenda and information on the district's financial situation:

The Plainfield Police Department has posted a statement and pictures on its Facebook page regarding a recent police call in Plainfield. Statement on the Plainfield Police Facebook page: "Are these weapons and gear real or fake? After looking at them for a few minutes you may be able to realize that all this gear is related to Airsoft activities but imagine being a police officer and coming upon a group carrying these items and you have to decide in a second or two whether they are real or fake? Members of our department faced this exact scenario this past Friday when they were dispatched to a call reporting people running around near a residential area carryi ng rifles and other weapons. When they arrived, officers made contact with two (2) of the offenders relatively quickly. While they were still trying to determine if the weapons were real or not a third offender began to approach the officers in a tactical manner, partially hidden by nearby brush, with his weapon point...

At a June 17, 2015 of the Elwood International Port Authority, Salvatore Di Bernardo, Executive Vice President of Ciorba Group, Consulting Engineers, gave a presentation on a Houbolt Road Bridge over the Des Plaines River.  After the presentation, audience members working in the logistics and rail industries in Will County and Village of Elwood officials discussed how a potential Houbolt Road Bridge might affect truck traffic in Will County:

The Environmental Law and Policy Center issued the following release today after a ruling by Federal Judge Jorge Alonso: "Chicago—The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued a strong decision declaring the federal and state transportation agencies’ approvals of the proposed Illiana Tollway to be illegal. “The Federal Court decision is a big victory for the Environmental Law & Policy Center and our clients and for sensible transportation planning and priorities,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “We are very pleased the Federal District Court has ruled in our favor, which should bring the boondoggle proposed Illiana Tollway to an end.” The Federal District Court held that the Federal Highway Administration’s and Illinois Department of Transportation’s approvals of the final Tier One Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) were “arbitrary and capricious and in vio...

A presentation on a "Houbolt Bridge" is on the Agenda for the June 17, 2015 5:00 p.m. meeting of the Elwood International Port Authority.   The Elwood International Port Authority meets at the Elwood Village Hall--401 Mississippi in Elwood. The Houbolt Bridge has been proposed as a way to route trucks from the Elwood and Joliet Intermodals onto I-80.  It has been suggested that a Houbolt Bridge would relieve traffic on Laraway, Route 53, and other roads. Here is the agenda for the meeting, from the Village of Elwood's website: AGENDA ELWOOD INTERNATIONAL PORT AUTHORITY MEETING Wednesday, June 17, 2015 5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL PLEDGE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENTS (limited to two (2) minutes per person) ICC Update Traffic Patterns Seasonal Issues Elwood International Port Directional/Way Finder Signs OJT (On the Job Training) Hiring Grant – Nisha Floyd Houbolt Br...

By Mary Baskerville MANHATTAN—The governor’s announcement to suspend work on the Illiana Expressway puts Manhattan in the position of waiting for transportation solutions.  “The problem is all the towns and municipalities are caught in this tug-of-war between the governor and the legislators,” Mayor James Doyle said. “With everybody—it’s wait and see.” The Illiana would help relieve heavy truck traffic through the center of town, Doyle said. Meanwhile, the Village of Manhattan continues to see about a ten percent increase in heavy truck traffic travel on U.S. Route 52 in the wake of the closing of Walter Strawn Drive in Elwood, he said. Citing a lack of money, the governor’s office said in a news release Tuesday that the Illiana would be taken off the current multi-year plan list. The release went on to say: “It is the determination of IDOT that the project costs exceed currently available resources. The Department will begin the process of suspending all existing ...

Governor Rauner issued a news release outlining steps his administration is taking "to begin balancing the phony Madigan-Cullerton budget." The Illiana Expressway was included on the list of steps the Governor will take :  "In light of the state's current fiscal crisis and a lack of sufficient capital resources, the Illiana Expressway will not move forward at this time. As a result, the Illinois Department of Transportation will remove the project from its current multi-year plan. It is the determination of IDOT that the project costs exceed currently available resources. The Department will begin the process of suspending all existing project contracts and procurements." The Sierra Club released the following statement in response to Rauner's decision: "We're pleased that IDOT has heard the concerns of farmers, local officials and business owners. This project would not only waste taxpayer money, but would disrupt their way of life. We...

Will County is inviting citizens to share their thoughts on the county's transportation future. Will County is creating a long-range transportation plan--Will Connects 2040-- which will delineate how the county will use transportation resources. Will County gained population during the housing boom.  Furthermore, Will County is home to two intermodals that together comprise the largest inland port in North America.  At the open house, the public will be able to provide input on how to prioritize solutions to the increased traffic. The dates and times of the open houses are: April 28, 4-7pm Joliet Junior College 1215 Houbolt Road Concourse C*1031 Joliet, IL 60431 April 29,4-7pm Wilmington City Hall Council Chambers 1165 S. Water Street Wilmington, IL 60481 May 5, 4-7pm New Lenox Village Hall Community Room 1 Veterans Parkway New Lenox, IL 60451 May 12, 4-7pm Governors State University Hall of Honors One University Parkway University Park, IL...

The Forest Preserve District of Will County's  Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville documents the history of the 1700's in the land that is now Illinois.  The museum features exhibits on the Great Lakes Fur Trade and the Potawatomi Native Americans.  The museum recently added a mural by artist  Jeanine Hattas Wilson.   Museum Supervisor Chris Gutmann sent Wilson photos of items on display at the Museum, including its birch bark canoe, and she incorporated them into the mural. The scene is set on the Des Plaines River, as is the museum, and a Potawatomi summer lodge sits across the river in the mural’s background. “That’s definitely my favorite thing to do, working in a museum and public spaces,” she said. “Using murals is a great way to tell historical stories. You want to capture a feeling for a moment. You’re capturing the story in one shot.” The mural cost $9,900 and was paid for with funds from the Forest Preserve's operating fund. Video of the...

Joliet Catholic Academy's Original Victory Light Church, Downtown Joliet Harrah's Casino and Church in Downtown Joliet

Enbridge Energy officials present a donation to the Friends of the Forest Preserve District Foundation on April 9. Pictured from left to right are: Foundation Board member Mike Fricilone, Foundation Board Chairwoman Ann Dralle, Forest Preserve District Board President Suzanne Hart, Enbridge executives John Gauderman and Scott Clark, and Foundation Board member Denise Winfrey.  Photo by the Forest Preserve District of Will County. Enbridge Energy recently made a donation to the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of Will County.  According to its website , " Enbridge owns and operates the world’s longest crude oil and liquids pipeline system, exporting 65 per cent of Western Canadian oil and importing 13 per cent of U.S. daily imports as the largest single conduit of crude oil into the United States." The Enbridge Southern Lights Pipeline begins in Manhattan, Illinois and ends in Alberta, Canada. Enbridge tanks in Manhattan, Illinois Enbridge's Li...

By Mary Baskerville MANHATTAN--When Peter Ford, Ken Salamone, and Steve Maslak of White Oak Growers sought a license to grow medical marijuana on a 34-acre farm in Wilton Center, the men said their background in energy development on the East Coast gave them experience in understanding how to follow government regulations and confidence that their Illinois application met all the requirements. Earlier this year, the award went to Cresco Labs of Chicago. Cresco also was named to receive the license in two other districts, including Kankakee County. In a suit filed Wednesday in the Circuit Court of Cook County, White Oak Growers is seeking an injunction to prohibit the Illinois Department of Agriculture from issuing the cultivation center license, and is seeking a court review of the scoring. Ford said Wednesday that the injunction will allow the courts to “examine the decision making process.” “There was an expectation that the law—the law of the land would be follo...

The Illinois Commerce Commission ruled today that the rail crossing at Walter Strawn Road and Route 53 must be closed. Video of closed Walter Strawn Drive in Elwood: The Village of Elwood released the following press release after the ruling: "After a year-long battle, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) unanimously ruled today that the state’s most dangerous rail crossing, located at Route 53 and Walter Strawn Drive in the Village of Elwood, must be closed within two weeks, no later than January 28th, 2015. Joining the Village in support of closing the crossing have been the Illinois Department of Transportation, Union Pacific Railroad, and staff at the Illinois Commerce Commission – the agency that governs rail crossing safety across Illinois. The decision came despite the efforts of intermodal facility owner CenterPoint Properties, which argued to keep the crossing open despite the myriad of safety concerns. “Despite the special interests and clout, justice h...