Public Works Committee Briefs
June 3, 2025/
Major Projects Update: Construction continues on several major projects including the 80th Avenue expressway overpass, Laraway Road widening near Cedar Road, and Bell Road improvements. The Bell Road project at 143rd Street intersection experienced utility conflicts that are being resolved.
Utility Agreement: The committee approved a $1.4 million reimbursement agreement with Nicor Gas Company for relocating facilities during Laraway Road improvements between Cedar Road and Spencer Road.
Public Information Meeting: The county will hold a public meeting June 26 from 4-7 p.m. at Peotone High School regarding the Eastern Will County freight mobility study. The meeting will present design alternatives for public comment.
Future Planning: Director Ronaldson noted that next year’s transportation improvement program will be based on the 2050 long-range transportation plan currently nearing completion, potentially adding new priority projects to the program.
Today Jun 16
59°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
Latest News Stories
December job openings lowest in five years
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Despite several quarters of strong GDP growth, job openings continued trending downward in December to an estimated 6.5 million – the lowest number in five...
Siri class action lawsuit greenlit, billions at stake
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A judge has cleared the way for as many as 3 million Apple device users in Illinois to be included in a...
Illinois Quick Hits: Reward offered in Chicago shooting
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Cook County Crime Stoppers are offering a reward up to $10,000 for information that leads to the...
New Baseball and Softball Training Facility Approved for Center Road
Frankfort Village Board Meeting | February 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board on Monday approved a special use permit for The Launch Pad Chicago, LLC, allowing a new...
WATCH: Senate Dems: ‘We in Illinois need to tax’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Senate Democrats are pushing for higher taxes on digital advertising, billionaires and corporations. At the Illinois...
Illinois senator seeks immediate expulsions for student sexual assault
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator is renewing a push to change state law to require the immediate...
HBO Max Orders Cop Drama Pilot ‘American Blue’ to Film in Joliet
Article Summary: HBO Max has ordered a pilot for a new police drama titled "American Blue," with production scheduled to begin in Joliet and Chicago this April. Starring Milo Ventimiglia...
Peotone 207U weighs school consolidation, finances, and next steps with public input front and center
By Andrea Arens The Peotone Community Unit School District 207U Board of Education’s Committee of the Whole spent almost three hours discussing short-term consolidation plans, financial realities, and long-range facility...
Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-sheriff employee ordered to repay $35,000
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A judge has ordered a former Cook County Sheriff’s office employee to pay more than $35,000 in...
JJC Administration Proposes Tuition Increase Amidst Future Budget Concerns
JJC Trustees Workshop Meeting | January 28, 2026 Article Summary: Joliet Junior College (JJC) administration presented a three-year financial plan that relies on a proposed $3 per credit hour tuition...
Will County Public Works Advances $1.9 Million Improvement for Wilmington-Peotone Road
Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee has authorized a nearly $2 million contract for Phase I...
District Approves New Firefighter Hire and Updates Fleet Status
Frankfort Fire Protection District Meeting | December 16, 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District approved the hiring of an additional firefighter to balance shift schedules and provided updates...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Public Library District for Dec. 11, 2025
Frankfort Public Library District Meeting | Dec. 11, 2025 The Frankfort Public Library District Board of Trustees met on Thursday, December 11, 2025, to discuss facility renovations, financial reports, and...
Chicago’s $41 billion financial hole exposes city’s pension crisis
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago finished fiscal year 2024 with a $41.1 billion gap between the money it has available...
Will County Public Works: Access Will County Dial-a-Ride Expands to All 24 Townships, Eliminating Borders
Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary:In a major overhaul of county transit, officials presented a quarterly report confirming that the Access Will County Dial-a-Ride...