Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for August 5, 2025
The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission backed two controversial projects at its August 5 meeting, unanimously approving a large-scale landscaping business on a residential lot in DuPage Township despite strong staff objections, and narrowly rezoning nearly 14 acres in Joliet Township for a truck repair facility over the protests of a neighboring resident. Both decisions highlighted the ongoing tension between industrial growth and residential character in unincorporated areas. For more information, please see our full coverage of the landscaping business approval and the truck repair facility rezoning.
The commission also greenlit two separate requests for restaurants in Frankfort Township to add liquor service for video gaming and granted a variance for an oversized residential garage in Joliet Township against staff advice. Details on these and other items are below.
Frankfort Restaurants Get Go-Ahead for Liquor, Gaming: The commission unanimously approved special use permits for two Frankfort Township restaurants to serve alcohol. Kismet Restaurant on West Lincoln Highway and Dimitri’s Best Food on South Harlem Avenue both sought the permits to become eligible for state video gaming licenses. Staff recommended approval in both cases, and no objectors spoke against the requests. The recommendations will now go to the full Will County Board for final consideration.
June 17 Minutes Approval Tabled: Action on the minutes from the June 17, 2025, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was postponed. After some commissioners indicated they had not had a chance to fully review them, the board agreed to table the vote until its next meeting, which is scheduled for August 19.
Commissioner Gugala to Resign: It was announced that Commissioner Matthew Gugala is resigning from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Chairman Houston noted Gugala was a “very good commissioner” and lamented that it can take a long time to replace commissioners, leaving the body understaffed. Gugala was not present at the August 5 meeting.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
House passes three-year spy powers extension with crypto amendment
U.S. gas prices at 4-year high as oil exports hit new record
Government leaders statewide call for cashless bail reform after CPD officer killed
Coalition formed to fight railroad merger includes direct competitors
Walk-Off Rally Propels Beecher Past Grant Park in Conference Thriller
Norkus Throws Two-Hit Shutout as Beecher Blanks Grant Park 10-0
Johnson, Irwin Combine for Perfect Game as Beecher Routs Grant Park 14-0
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker announces new IBM investment at Quantum Park
ISU’s union says it cheaper to negotiate than paying
Iran conflict, refinery disruption play roles as Illinois gas price passes $4.50.
Rates hold steady ahead of Fed chair transition
Supreme Court skeptical of Syria, Haiti temporary protected status
