County Authorizes Condemnation for Francis Road Project
June 3, 2025/
The committee authorized the State’s Attorney’s Office to proceed with condemnation cases for right-of-way acquisition needed for Francis Road improvements between Gougar Road and Interstate 80.
Eight property parcels are involved in the condemnation proceedings, including properties owned by the Joliet Park District, Commonwealth Edison Company, and several private property owners.
The Francis Road project will reconstruct the roadway to current standards and improve drainage in the corridor. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026 pending completion of right-of-way acquisition.
County officials said attempts to negotiate voluntary acquisitions were unsuccessful, necessitating the legal condemnation process.
Latest News Stories
Will County Health Department Pleads for $1 Million to Avert ‘Weakened Public Health System’
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: Leaders and board members from the Will County Health Department made an impassioned plea for $1 million in county...
Judge: Benefits of feeding babies beat risk claims in NEC lawsuits
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Saying trial lawyers have not yet shown evidence of an alternative to cow's milk-based infant formula that would not leave tens of...
Frankfort Park District Approves Over $322,000 in August Bills
Frankfort Park District Meeting | September, 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners approved the payment of bills totaling $322,856.04 for August, which included a delayed payment for...
Frankfort Board Approves New Dump Truck Purchase, Sale of Surplus Vehicles
Village of Frankfort Board Meeting | October 20, 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board authorized the purchase of a new 2026 Ford F-450 dump truck for an amount not...
Frankfort Approves Over $203,000 for Holiday Lighting Contract
Village of Frankfort Board Meeting | October 20, 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board awarded a three-year contract for holiday lighting and decorations totaling $203,269 to Wingren Landscape, Inc....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Summit Hill School District 161 for October 15, 2025
Summit Hill School District 161 | October 15, 2025 The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, reviewed highly positive preliminary data from the...
Will County Committee Grapples with $8.9 Million Budget Gap After Contentious 0% Tax Levy Vote
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Finance Committee held a contentious debate over how to close an $8.9 million budget shortfall...
Frankfort Earns Clean Audit, Receives National Finance Award for 35th Consecutive Year
Village of Frankfort Board Meeting | October 20, 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Frankfort has received an unmodified "clean" opinion on its annual audit for the fiscal year ending...
Poll: Young adults not confident in 2026 election fairness
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Almost half of young adult voters are not confident the 2026 elections will be conducted fairly, according to a new poll. The Center Square’s Voters’...
Narco interdiction at sea isn’t new, CBP, Coast Guard have been doing it for years
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square President Donald Trump is ordering an aircraft carrier strike group head to the Caribbean to assist with drug interdiction at sea. This is after he...
Government shutdown halts visa, permanent resident approvals
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As the federal government shutdown continues with no clear end in sight, federal agencies that process legal immigrant petition documents have been completely halted, leaving...
Frankfort Approves Plan for 43-Home First Phase of Stalled Country Crossing Subdivision
Village of Frankfort Board Meeting | October 20, 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board has approved amended annexation agreements and a final plat for the first phase of the...
Ads roll on, money pours in, and SCORE Act waits
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Seven big games in the Southeastern Conference alone, hundreds of players, all headed toward the billions college football generates in the 21st century. And with...