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.
Latest News Stories
Refilling Strategic Petroleum Reserve begins
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square About 1 million barrels of crude oil that will go toward replenishing the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve have been purchased, the U.S. Department of Energy...
WATCH: Lawmakers call out Pritzker for lack of transparency with budget cuts
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers say they are not getting information from Gov. J.B. Pritzker or state agencies about the...
Report: Barriers to social mobility largely manmade
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Authors of a new report on social mobility across the 50 states said that barriers to social mobility are largely “man-made” and can be solved...
Fetterman hospitalized for heart episode
By Christen SmithThe Center Square Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman remains under observation at a Pittsburgh-area hospital following a heart episode early Thursday. The senator’s spokesman posted to his...
Federal services to slowly recover following end of government shutdown
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the longest government shutdown in history finally over, federal agencies are slowly bringing affected services back online and hoping to resume normal operations by...
IL congressman pushes military to accept CLT, experts say it could shape education
By Catrina Barker contributiorThe Center Square An Illinois congressman is pushing to expand testing options at U.S. service academies, a move experts say could revive academic rigor and expand access...
New Lenox Solar Farm Gains County Committee Approval with Conditions
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: A 63-acre commercial solar energy facility on Spencer Road in New Lenox Township received a key endorsement...
Committee Approves Frankfort Township Gaming Bar on Split Vote
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: Despite an objection from Frankfort Township, a proposed video gaming bar on West St. Francis Road is...
Crete Township Senior Group Home Gets Unanimous Committee Support
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: A proposal to convert a single-family home in Crete Township into a shared living facility for up...
Beecher-Area Rezoning and Variances Approved to Legalize Structure
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee approved a rezoning and two variances for a property...
Committee Approves Wilton Township Land Division Despite Spot Zoning Concerns
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee approved a request to rezone a 1.75-acre parcel in...
MS-13 members prosecuted nationwide for brutal murders, fentanyl trafficking
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Federal, state and local law enforcement officers continue to target Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) U.S.-Salvadoran transnational gang members nationwide. MS-13 was designated as a foreign terrorist...
Illinois, Chicago residents rank high taxes as state’s top issue
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With the state now losing a resident to another state every nine minutes and more than...
Jan. 6 panel cost twice previous estimates, hiring TV producers to dramatize attack
By Mark StricherzThe Center Square The U.S. House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol cost almost twice as much as previously reported, including...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois House members vote along party lines; More than 40% of CPS teachers missed 10 or more school days; State Treasurer says Bright Start earns gold
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois House members vote along party lines Illinois U.S. House members voted along party lines as the chamber approved legislation to...