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 4
82° 69°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
DHS shutdown ends after 76 days
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After weeks of delay, the U.S. House on Thursday approved the Senate’s legislation reopening the Department of Homeland Security. President Donald Trump signed the legislation...
Farm bill passes U.S. House, heads to Senate for approval
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 passed the U.S. House Thursday in a 224-200 vote, a hopeful sign for America’s agricultural industry...
Alleged WHCD shooter to remain in federal custody until trial
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The accused shooter at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday will remain in federal custody while awaiting a trial, a judge said on...
DeSantis: Ruling vindicates Florida redrawing congressional maps
By David BeasleyThe Center Square A U.S. Supreme Court ruling Wednesday “compelled” Florida to redraw congressional districts, second-term Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday a day after the Legislature approved...
Congress advances bills targeting $186 billion payment problem
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Congress moved this week on both sides of the Capitol to address a problem that has persisted for decades after a new report found federal...
Beasley Allen booted from looming talc trial in Chicago
By John O’Brien | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Judges in Miami and Chicago have revoked permission that allowed the firm Beasley Allen to pursue talc lawsuits because it collaborated with...
Illinois Quick Hits: Gas prices rise again
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois has jumped 14 cents in one...
Manhattan Launches $100,000 Safety Study for Route 52 Corridor
Village of Manhattan Meeting | April 21, 2026 Article Summary: Armed with grant funding, the Village of Manhattan is partnering with the Farnsworth Group to evaluate and recommend safety improvements along...
Board Establishes New Regulations and Fees for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: In response to the state's Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, the Will County Board passed Ordinance 26-134 to manage the...
Illinois pauses redistricting effort after Supreme Court ruling
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois has paused a legislative redistricting effort after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday, but Gov....
U.S. gas prices at 4-year high as oil exports hit new record
By Alton Wallace | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – United States gasoline prices pushed higher for the sixth consecutive day Wednesday, reaching $4.23 a gallon, as...
Defense and Timely Power Lift Lincoln-Way West Past Homewood-Flossmoor 2-1
The Lincoln-Way West varsity softball team relied on lock-down pitching, flawless defense, and timely power to edge Homewood-Flossmoor 2-1 in a tense conference road clash on Tuesday afternoon. In a...
Government leaders statewide call for cashless bail reform after CPD officer killed
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Critics on both sides of the aisle in Illinois government are calling for changes to the SAFE-T...
