The Jackson Township Board took the next step in reviewing a proposed anaerobic digester project at its meeting on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, referring the plan from Elwood81, LLC, to its planning and zoning commission. The board also formally approved a legal settlement with the City of Joliet and Union Pacific Railroad and decided to seek more information about a decade-old plan for high-speed rail in Elwood. More details on these developments are available in separate news articles.

In other business, the board approved a simplified application for community donations and heard from the assessor about the reasons behind rising property values.

Donation Application Simplified: The board approved a new donation application form after agreeing to remove a requirement for notarization. Assessor LeGrett suggested the step was unnecessary, and the board voted unanimously to adopt the simplified form. Supervisor Matt Robbins stated the application will be made available on the township’s website and he will personally track who receives and submits them to prevent duplicate requests.

Property Assessments Rise With Home Sales: Assessor LeGrett reported that her office has been busy fielding calls from residents about revised property assessments. She explained to a resident at the meeting that assessment values are based on property sales from the past three years. With sales prices having “gone up,” the corresponding assessment values have also increased.

Summer Road Work Completed: The township’s highway department has completed its summer projects, including all planned blacktop work, according to the road report. Summer workers are finishing up, and crews were addressing storm damage from the previous evening.

Township Touts National Night Out Success: The township’s participation in National Night Out was a success, with officials giving away cups and magnets to attendees. Supervisor Matt Robbins also reported that he wrote a piece for the township newsletter focusing on the Pace Dial-A-Ride service.