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.
Today Jun 5
87° 67°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Supreme Court weighs gun owners’ challenge to IL transit carry ban
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court says the Illinois Attorney's General office and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office will not be able to...
Nine pharmaceutical companies agree to most-favored-nation pricing
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square An additional nine of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies have agreed to offer many of their most popular drugs at most-favored-nation pricing in the U.S....
Congress leaves for holidays after zero progress on federal funding
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. lawmakers have left town for the holidays without making any actionable progress on the long-delayed fiscal year 2026 government funding bills. That means when...
EXCLUSIVE: New House committee report highlights increasing terrorism threat in U.S.
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security has released an updated report highlighting terrorism threats to Americans. It did so after holding a hearing on...
Chicago aldermen pass revenue package, business groups express concern
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago aldermen have approved a revenue package that does not include Mayor Brandon Johnson’s corporate head tax,...
DOJ posts thousands of Epstein documents to partially comply with law
By Morgan Sweeney and Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Department of Justice has posted thousands of court recordsand other documents from the Epstein files online in a searchable and downloadable...
DOJ lawsuit against Illinois draws support from election integrity advocates
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit seeking access to Illinois’ unredacted voter registration database draws praise...
Trump administration to dismantle federal climate center
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The Trump administration said it plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research, which is based in Colorado. Office of Management and Budget Director...
Illinois quick hits: Federal funding for CTA still uncertain; fire risk for EVs
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Federal funding for CTA still uncertain The Federal Transit Administration says it will withhold as much as $50 million in funding...
Feds sue IL for refusing to turn over full info on IL voters
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The Justice Department has asked a federal judge to force Illinois state election officials to turn over full copies of the state's...
WATCH: Detransitioner to providers: “Please just stop” gender surgeries on minors
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A detransitioner is sharing her story with The Center Square and speaking out in strong support of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy...
Bears threaten move to Indiana after property tax break bill frustrations
By Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Bears leadership is claiming that it is considering a move to Northwest Indiana after the team...
Phoenix serial killer gets death penalty for six 2017 murders
By Dave MasonThe Center Square A Phoenix jury Thursday sentenced serial killer Cleophus Cooksey Jr. to death for committing six murders over a three-week period in 2017. Cooksey, 43, was...
