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.
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