County Authorizes Condemnation for Francis Road Project
June 3, 2025/Comments Off on County Authorizes Condemnation for Francis Road Project
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
Beecher Approves $55,549 in Village Hall Upgrades and Amends Community Room Policy
Village of Beecher Meeting | April 27, 2026 Article Summary: The Village Board approved exterior and interior improvements for Village Hall while also adopting a finalized usage policy for the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Group files lawsuit against gun owner ID law
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new challenge to Illinois’ requirement for gun owners to have a state police-issued license has been...
Pritzker touts EV plant in Normal, Bailey says taxpayers bear the burden
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Rivian is the best electric vehicle maker in the world, but his...
State Supreme Court hears arguments over Uber forced arbitration
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Four years after two men – an Uber driver and a passenger – died in a car...
Vance defends DOJ’s nearly $1.8B ‘weaponization’ fund
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday defended a nearly $1.8 billion taxpayer fund through the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at supporting victims of "lawfare...
Vance highlights ‘progress’ in Iran negotiations, floats additional fighting
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. and Iran have "made a lot of progress" on negotiations to end the conflict between the two nations....
Chicago committee approves $5M for public school project
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago aldermen are planning to spend more tax increment financing dollars on Chicago Public Schools, even though...
Group files federal lawsuit against Illinois’ gun owner ID law
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new challenge to Illinois’ requirement for gun owners to have a state police-issued license has been...
Feds push back on Minnesota prosecution of ICE agent
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Federal immigration officials are calling Minnesota’s prosecution of an ICE agent a “political stunt” after Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced criminal charges tied to...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Legislative Committee for May 5, 2026
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 The Will County Board Legislative Committee navigated a heavy policy agenda during its May 5, 2026, meeting, balancing extensive state...
Minnesota mobile voting push stalls as session ends
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As the 2026 Minnesota legislative session came to a close over the weekend, several special interest efforts ultimately failed to advance. One of those was...
Renewed call for Trump to pardon Texas Republican political consultant
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After a Trump administration settlement with the IRS was announced including a new $1.8 billion weaponization fund for “political prisoners,” Texans are renewing their call...
Op-Ed: Illinois is closed for business
By Alan Jernigan and Joshua MeyerThe Center Square The policies coming from Springfield send a clear message: Illinois is closed for business. While other states enact pro-growth policies and create...