Will County News

  The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced lane closures on I-80 in Joliet from March 25 to 28th to allow for emergency repairs and patching.  Here is the announcement from the Illinois Department of Transportation:  " CHICAGO  –  The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that emergency repairs and pavement patching on eastbound Interstate 80, in Joliet, will require lane closures beginning, weather permitting, tomorrow, Friday, March 25. Major travel delays are anticipated, alternative routes are encouraged. Starting at 10 p.m. tomorrow, lane closures will take place on eastbound I-80, between Wheeler Avenue and Briggs Street. Additionally, the entrance ramp from Chicago Street (U.S.52/Illinois 53) to eastbound I-80 will be closed. During that time, a detour will direct motorists to U.S. 52 and Richards Street to access the expressway. At least one eastbound lane will remain open at all times and westbound I-80 will not be im...

  Spread some St. Patrick's Day cheer and join Representative Adam Kinzinger's card drive.  Check out the details from press release announcing the drive: "OTTAWA, IL  – As we get ready to spring ahead,  Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16)  will hold his annual St. Patrick’s Day card drive for the residents of the Illinois Veterans’ Home of La Salle. Members of the community are welcomed and encouraged to participate in celebrating the ‘Luck of the Irish’ with our local heroes by sending cards or letters to share gratitude and appreciation. In making the announcement,  Congressman Kinzinger   released the following statement :    “This year has been another challenging one, but hope is on the horizon. Our elderly population has been at the most risk from the coronavirus, and while we begin to emerge from this isolated time, we cannot forget how important it is to stay connected. Technology is great, but letters and cards are so meaningful and ...

  Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is accepting applications for its 2022 Summer National Youth Conservation Corps. Midewin Horticulturist Jennifer Durkin and Kala Soto Martinez take a close-up look at compass plant at the USDA Forest Service’s Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Students can a pply through March 14 to be part of the 2022 Youth Conservation Corps for eight weeks this summer at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.  Photo by Gary Chancey / USDA FS, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Details and application instructions from Midewin: "WILMINGTON, Ill. (February 17, 2022) – High school students can apply through March 14 to be part of the 2022 Youth Conservation Corps for eight weeks this summer at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. The YCC team will assist with projects that are essential to restoring land where the Joliet Arsenal was active, including trails maintenance and invasive species management.    YCC is a national summer youth employment pro...

  Following the 2020 Censure, the Illinois State Legislature voted on new Congressional District Map Boundaries for the 17 Congressional Districts in Illinois. Here is a map of the new 6th Congressional District in Illinois.  Incumbent Representatives Marie Newman and Sean Casten are both running in the Illinois 6th Congressional District Democratic Primary:

The Holiday Season will kick off in Downtown Joliet on Friday, November 26, 2021. The Christmas Tree lighting at 5:15 p.m. in Van Buren Plaza will be followed by the Holiday Parade at 5:30 p.m.. The festivities are organized by the Joliet City Center Partnership.  For more details, go here .

  Migrating Monarchs make a stop at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie!  Staff at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and local nature enthusiasts have observed monarch butterflies at Midewin. Here is a video of monarchs at around 7:30 a.m. earlier this week:  Large roosting of monarchs were last observed at Midewin in 2018: More info on the monarchs from staff at Midewin: "The best time to look is just after sunrise and just before sunset. Bring a long camera lens and look into the trees. Busy spots are along the Henslow Trail, (1) just south of where the Henslow Trail intersects with the Group 63 Trail; and (2) just east of Boathouse Road.   Here is information for finding the Henslow Trail and Iron Bridge:  https://www.fs.usda. gov/recarea/midewin/recarea/? recid=57100 . Here is information for finding the Henslow Trail off of Boathouse Road / River Road:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/ recarea/midewin/recarea/? recid=57104 . "

The Will County Board is seeking public input on how to spend $133 million in American Rescue Plan Act Federal Dollars. Check out this video for more info and how to submit comments: