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 14
74° 56°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Everyday Economics: Fiscal reality meets Central Bank caution in week ahead
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square At Davos, Citadel CEO Ken Griffin pointed to Japan's bond selloff – where super-long yields surged and 40-year yields hit record highs – as an...
Tariff uncertainty here to stay regardless of Supreme Court ruling
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Even as small businesses wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on President Donald Trump's tariff authority, a supply chain expert says uncertainty around...
Nearly 1M without power as massive winter storm rages
By The Center SquareThe Center Square Nearly a million American homes are without power as a massive winter storm sweeps the country. According to poweroutage.com, the most impacted areas are...
Walz deploys 1,500 National Guard troops in Twin Cities
By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square About 1,500 Minnesota National Guard troops went from standby to active following the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday. Gov. Tim...
Will County Commits $15M to Transfer Sanitary District Operations to City of Joliet
Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board has authorized an intergovernmental agreement to dissolve the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District and transfer its water...
GOP looks to hold, expand U.S. House majority
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Republican leadership have approved a rule change to allow the party to hold a midterm election convention. While plans for the midterm convention are not...
Noem defends fatal shooting of armed man in DHS confrontation
By Hayley FelandThe Center Square Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis man by a Border Patrol agent as an act of self-defense...
Govt. funding process close to finish line as Senate preps for final vote
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The ball is in the U.S. Senate’s court to avert a government shutdown Jan. 30, with six fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills signed into law...
Trump threatens 100% tariffs on Canada over China deal
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump warned Canada that all its exports to the U.S. could face 100% tariffs if Canada finalizes a deal with China. Trump slammed...
Attorneys review Chicago Teachers Union audits following congressional request
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says it has complied with a U.S. House committee’s request to release financial...
DHS: ICE agent shoots, kills armed Minneapolis man; protests erupt
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Federal agents shot and killed an armed man in Minneapolis Saturday morning, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said. "At 9:05 AM CT, as DHS...
‘They deserve their story’: Bill aims to open foster care files
By Cat Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are moving to ensure families adopting children from the state’s foster care system receive...
Under Trump, Big Bend CBP Sector in Texas making history
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The far west Texas U.S. Customs and Border Protection sector of Big Bend made history under the Biden and Trump administrations – for different reasons....
