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The Times Weekly Honor 2022 History Maker, J.D. Ross

J.D. Ross is a former president of Joliet Jr. College, the oldest Junior College in the United States, created in 1901. Ross became the 6th President at the College and broke barriers by becoming the first and only African American president in the college's history. He is, therefore, The Times Weekly 2022 Black History Maker. Ross' 39-year career in education started in the Quad Cities where he worked for two school districts as a teacher, and then as an administrator.

Warehouse Workers for Justice make bold move with new director

Warehouse workers have been the front line during the pandemic, providing a vital link between consumers and the goods and services that are needed. Their critical role in the supply chain has still not been recognized, as many of them are underpaid temporary workers with few rights This fact makes the Warehouse Workers for Justice (WWJ) organization necessary.

Legislation to expedite professional licenses advances to House

A measure co-sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) to require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to issue state licenses in four weeks passed the Senate.

Parent group presents mental health strategies program

District 202 will share easy strategies to strengthen mental health and wellness for both students and their parents at a community program at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2022. The district 202 Plainfield Parent Community Network (PPCN) will present this special free program in the auditorium at Plainfield High School – Central Campus, 24120 W. Fort Beggs Drive, Plainfield. Please Park on the north side of the building near the Freshman Center/Door G.

Local church wins with Super Soul Bowl

On Sunday February 13, 2022, while thousands across the nation watched a historic Super Bowl between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams, members of Pastor Lonnie Posley’s New Canaanland Christian Church were celebrating Super Soul Bowl. A 28-year- old tradition for the church, it started when Posley realized that Super Bowl weekend could be an auspicious time to share their faith with the town of Joliet.

Romeoville joins Regional Water Commission for future water source

After a long period of analysis and discussion, Village of Romeoville staff and consultants presented their recommendation to the Village Board to join the Regional Water Commission as the source for Lake Michigan water. Romeoville would join Channahon, Crest Hill, Joliet, Minooka, Rockdale (through Joliet), and Shorewood in this new commission. Due to the Illinois Water Survey finding, Romeoville was found to be one of the municipalities in the surrounding area that could see a rise in water demand beyond what is available by 2050. Because of these findings, several new water sources were explored. River options were eliminated because the water was unsustainable and the cost to treat the water would be too high. Other Lake Michigan sources were eliminated due to cost and other factors. “This was a lengthy process, but I greatly appreciate all the hard work our team has done in evaluating the best water option for the Village,” said Mayor John Noak.

Frontier League’s Joliet Slammers hire new Field Manager

Schlereth was drafted in 2008 by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round and made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in May 2009. Later that same year, he and Max Scherzer were traded to the Detroit Tigers as part of a three-team trade. During his time with the Detroit Tigers, 2009-2012, Schlereth won the American League Central and, after suffering an injury, was a member of the team that competed in the 2012 World Series. The Tigers non-tendered Schlereth's contract in the fall of 2012, and Schlereth went on to play for ten other organizations' minor league teams in thirteen years.

District 86 not requiring mask to be worn in school

In response to the Appellate Court of Illinois decision, beginning on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, masks are strongly encouraged to be worn by students and staff, but no longer required. We continue to recommend mask usage to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our buildings.

New Police Chief takes the helm in Joliet

The man who once worked in the Cook County Sheriff's Office and with the National Security Agency for the U.S. Department of Defense has been tapped to become the next police chief of Joliet. He attended Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command. The City of Joliet has reportedly hired William "Bill" Evans as police chief. He ran for Cook County Sheriff in 2014, ultimately losing to incumbent Tom Dart. The appointment of Evans, who was a lieutenant in the Sheriff's Office, means this will be the first time in more than two decades that the City of Joliet hired someone from outside the department to become chief. Evans is the fourth police chief in Joliet in less than four years since the retirement of Brian Benton in August 2018.

Joliet Water Commission moves forward with formation

The City of Joliet executed a memorandum of understanding at Tuesday’s Joliet council meeting for Romeoville to join the new regional commission that will bring water from Lake Michigan to several southwestern suburbs in Will County. In anticipation of Romeoville board approval, the community will become the sixth and final member of the Regional Water Commission that the City of Joliet began forming more than a year ago. By sharing the cost of water between the communities in the commission, it is believed that the source will become more affordable for residents.

Latest News

Joliet to receive $76 million in water infrastructure loans

Joliet has been awarded $76 million from the Illinois EPA to enhance water infrastructure, which will enable the city to replace 31 miles of deteriorated and undersized water mains, replace fire hydrants and valves, and improve water quality.