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 Jul 21
74° 54°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois quick hits: Collinsville man pleads guilty to sex abuse of children
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DCFS honors scholarship recipients The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services honored 317 youth in care with a scholarship luncheon...
Aldermen say mayor fails to collect revenue he opposes
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square )The Center Square) – Chicago aldermen are suggesting that the city has a projected budget gap of $130 million because Mayor...
Pritzker disputes Trump speech claims
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump tried to claim victimhood during his speech to the nation...
Secretary of State dismisses calls for clarity on migrant’s license status
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Secretary of State is pushing back against claims from conservatives that his department has issued...
Illinois news in brief: Prosecutors indict felon on pretrial release for fentanyl trafficking; Rockford men charged after child abuse investigation; Cairo bridge to reopen
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Prosecutors indict felon on pretrial release for fentanyl trafficking A federal grand jury has indicted a Chicago man for allegedly trafficking...
Med school dean questioned over antisemitism, DEI
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Squarre) – The interim dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine testified before Congress that the school...
Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment holds at 5.1% in Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Illinois Department of Employment Security says...
Ammons pleads not guilty, wants to delay House investigation
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) — Illinois State Rep. Carrol Ammons, federally indicted on multiple charges of wire fraud, pleaded not guilty in...
U.S. Senate passes landmark bipartisan housing bill, sends to House
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Bipartisan legislation to boost housing supply and home ownership nationally cleared the U.S. Senate in an 85-5 vote Monday evening, the largest housing bill Congress...
POLL: Majority of voters believe U.S. should stay in NATO
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A majority of American voters say the U.S. should remain in NATO, according to The Center Square Voters’ Voice poll. President Donald Trump has toyed...
Nonprofits: Los Angeles schools need to do better following Carvalho’s resignation
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has resigned from the Los Angeles Unified School District, and education watchdogs are not sad to see him go. Carvalho announced his...
Chicago anti-violence department proposed; activist dismisses Trump post
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker agrees with an Illinois anti-violence activist who says President Donald Trump is not the...
Pritzker plans to sign social media law despite criticisms
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois may now face one less potential hurdle enacting a law requiring social media and other online...
