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
Illinois quick hits: Ex-student sentenced for school gun, time served; fall semester beginning
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ex-student sentenced for school gun, time served A former Chicago Public Schools student has been sentenced to five years in prison...
Will County Board Gets Back to Basics with Robert’s Rules of Order Training
Article Summary: The Will County Board Committee of the Whole received a detailed training session on Robert's Rules of Order from parliamentary expert Matthew Prochaska to clarify procedures for conducting...
Executive Committee Approves Amended Houbolt Bridge Agreement to Settle Litigation
Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee has approved an amendment to the Houbolt Road Toll Bridge agreement, formalizing a settlement between the bridge operators and the City of Joliet....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Committee of the Whole for August 12, 2025
The Will County Board’s Committee of the Whole dedicated its August 12 meeting to an in-depth training session on Robert’s Rules of Order, aiming to foster more efficient and orderly...
Grand jury indicts accused killer of Minnesota lawmaker
By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square The man accused of killing Minnesota’s former House speaker and her husband faces state charges of first-degree murder. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Thursday...
Report Finding Few Trucks Littering Sparks Debate on Cleanup Responsibility
Article Summary: A Will County report found that a very small percentage of waste-hauling trucks are the source of litter on roadways near the county landfill, sparking a debate among...
Sailors return to San Diego after extended Navy deployment
By Jamie ParsonsThe Center Square After spending almost nine months overseas, the USS Carl Vinson and Carrier Strike Group One returned to Naval Base San Diego on Thursday afternoon, with...
Under pressure, RFK Jr. brings back childhood vaccine safety committee
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Thursday the reinstatement of the Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines, the day...
Illinois quick hits: Search continues for Gibson City suspect; manufacturing declines since 2000
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Search continues for Gibson City suspect Illinois State Police continue their search for a suspect wanted in connection with a Gibson...
Vance praises troops as backbone of Trump’s peace campaign
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Vice President J.D. Vance told American and United Kingdom troops their contributions allow President Donald Trump to pursue peace worldwide. The vice president's comments come...
Foreign leaders wait for ruling in U.S. case on Trump’s tariff power
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Foreign leaders are watching a U.S. appeals court that could upend President Donald Trump's overhaul of global trade, held up by the tariff authority challenged...