A local spring election that included a former NFL player running for mayor, a massive public outcry over plans for a for-profit prison, a proposal for a third airport and an ugly green beetle that killed trees in every single community.

These are just some of the stories that made headlines in 2013. Here’s a quick look at the Top 10 stories from the year that ran in The Times Weekly:

Will County union workers strike: Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1028 walked off the job on Nov. 17 and were on strike for about two weeks before reaching a contract with Will County Board leaders. The strike not only divided the county and its union employees, but also slowed services for county residents. The county board approved the new contract with the union just this past week.

Strong opposition to for-profit detention center: Hundreds marched through the streets of downtown Joliet in April in protest to plans by Corrections Corporation of America to build a for-profit immigrant detention center in the city. Members of Joliet’s Hispanic community and many others voiced opposition to the plans. Many saw the proposal as a direct threat on the Hispanic community. In the end, the company never did come before the Joliet City Council to present any formal plans for the detention center and later completely dropped the idea.

Former Bear’s player runs from mayor in Romeoville: One of the more interesting notes from the spring election was the “Bear factor” in Romeoville. Steve “Mongo” McMichael, a defensive player for the 1985 Super Bowl winning Chicago Bears ran a tough campaign for mayor against incumbent John Noak, but in the end could not come up with enough votes to win.

Home Depot opens 1.6 million-square-foot center: Gov. Pat Quinn was one of many elected officials on hand in late September for the grand opening of the new 1.6 million-square-foot Home Depot Stocking Distribution Center at CenterPoint Properties. Quinn said at the time that the new center is but one example of the need to build the proposed Illiana Expressway, which would run from Wilmington in Illinois to Lowell, Indiana, and help to reduce congestion from truck traffic along Interstate 80.

Sam’s Club comes to Romeoville: Sam’s Club opened its 29th store in late September in Romeoville at 460 Weber Road. It was one of more 70 new businesses that opened in the village in 2013. More than 200 people gather for a grand opening at the new Sam’s Club. Romeoville Mayor John Noak called it “another milestone” as the village continues to develop and grow, “bringing jobs and new revenue.” More than 150 new jobs were created as a result of the opening of the new store.

Dominick’s pulls out of the Chicago market: Safeway announced earlier this fall that it would be selling or shuttering all 72 of its Chicago area Dominick’s stores. That news came as a big blow to shoppers and elected officials from Plainfield, Romeoville and other communities. While the Dominick’s stores will be all but gone in 2014, Mariano’s, Jewel and Centrella have announced plans to buy up all the Chicago locations.

Emerald ash borer infestation wreaks havoc on communities: First it was the Asian Carp getting into the local water ways and then came the Emerald Ash Borer beetle to kill thousands of trees throughout area communities. Not one community was spared in 2013 by the fury of these invasive species. From Bolingbrook to Joliet, officials continue to grapple with how to pay to replace the trees destroyed by the Emerald ash borer beetle.

Protests for Trayvon Martin: When a Florida jury found George Zimmerman not guilty in the murder of Trayvon Martin in July, protests broke out throughout the country. This area was no exception to that rule and many protested and carried signs seeking justice for Trayvon Martin in downtown Joliet as well as in front of the Will County Courthouse.

Third airport project gets new life: Gov. Pat Quinn in July signed a law to give the Illinois Department of Transportation the power to begin the process of building a third airport in south suburban Peotone as part of public-private partnership. There is still much to be done – first and foremost being finding an airline willing to take off and land southeastern Will County – before the airport becomes a reality. While there is still some on the county board concerned over condemning people’s property to build the airport, other county officials see it as an economic engine that will bring jobs for many throughout the county.

CFO for housing authority arrested on theft charges: In August, authorities came into the Housing Authority of Joliet and took its then-Chief Financial Officer Charlene Potts away in handcuffs, charging that she had embezzled money when she worked at the Chicago Housing Authority. Potts was fired from her position with the Housing Authority of Joliet and an independent auditing firm is still combing through all of the HAJ’s financial records checking to see if any money went missing while Potts was serving as CFO.

Rex Robinson can be reached at rex@thetimesweekly.com.