The National Covid Center opened at Cass and Eastern Ave. a week ago to provide urgent COVID lab services to the community. The Addison, Il based company has 1 site in Joliet and is affiliated with the Illinois Department of Health, according to Mr. Taki a senior executive for the center. They are CLIA certified and follow the CDC COVID-19 recommendations to provide a safe environment for all patients who wish to get tested. This information was posted on their website. Taki said, “the center is not a pop-up site,” and that they set-up sites in communities that don’t have access to testing.
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Posted inTimes Weekly News
World dignitaries react to death of Bishop Desmond Tutu
Long before Nelson Mandela won his freedom from 27 years of imprisonment fighting apartheid in South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu earned the moniker “the nation’s conscience.”
White and Black residents of the popular African nation lauded the bishop for his relentless fight to unite races and end the racist system of apartheid.
South Africa’s leading advocate for change and reconciliation under a Black majority rule and the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Bishop Tutu, died in Cape Town on December 26 at the age of 90.
Posted inTimes Weekly News
Preserving the sounds of some of Joliet’s history
Soon anyone will be able to “hear” what life was like 50 years ago in Joliet and it won’t be from someone reading a book, but from people who lived through some of the hard times of the early 20th century. The Joliet Junior College Library and Joliet Area Historical Museum (JAHM) have teamed to digitize 55 audio recordings that offer first-hand accounts of life in the Joliet area during the first half of the 20th Century. The project, which consists of more than 3,300 minutes of audio cassette reels, was funded by the JJC Foundation, with support from the nonprofit Experimental Sound Studio in Chicago. The audio comes from interviews conducted 50 years ago with residents born near the beginning of the 20th Century. The digitization is an expansion of the library’s recent transcription of the interviews. “Listeners will hear about the hardships faced by individuals and families and also a broader perspective on the Great Depression and the world wars,” said Amy Chellino, archive specialist with the JJC Library. “The interactions are timeless conversations between generations and are reminders of the ephemeral moments we have in our lifetimes.”
Posted inTimes Weekly News
Economic development takes center stage in Will County
Business means jobs and officials from the Will County Center for Economic Development (CED) understand that in a big way. The CED is geared up to present its Annual Report to Investors on Friday, Dec. 3 at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. “We’re really excited about this year. This is the first time our investors group, guests and friends are going to be meeting in person since March 2020. We’re really looking forward to that crowd interaction and getting a chance to get in front of people.” John Greuling, President and CEO of the CED said.
Posted inTimes Weekly News
Rental assistance applications open on December 6th
TTW Will County residents and landlords will have another opportunity to apply for up to $25,000 in rental assistance through the Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP), which will begin Monday, December 6, 2021, through January 9, 2022. “Over the past year, we have been able to provide over $23 million in rental assistance for Will County tenants and landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “I am pleased that we are able to open a new application window to help families who are still in need of assistance and provide landlords relief from past due rent.”
Posted inTimes Weekly News
USF joins State program to help recruit, retain teachers of color
There are 24 Illinois colleges and universities, including the University of St. Francis (USF) that have volunteered for a pilot program to develop plans to recruit and retain future teachers of color. According to The Illinois State Board of Education (SBE), the pilot will help establish best practices ahead of ISBE requiring all 54 Illinois educator preparation programs to develop plans next year. “The diversity of Illinois is one of our state’s greatest strengths – including in our classrooms,” said Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. “By recruiting faculty of color who share their students’ lived experiences or expand their perspectives, our schools can empower more students to achieve their goals and pursue their passions. This pilot program is just the beginning of ISBE’s recruitment efforts, and I commend the leadership of the 24 colleges and universities who have volunteered to spearhead this initiative with us.” “I applaud the 24 colleges and universities that have volunteered to lead the way in breaking down barriers for people of color to join the teaching profession,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala. “All students, and especially students of color, benefit from having diverse educators throughout their school experiences. My own mentors in my career have been people of color like me. When the role models and people in positions of authority in our lives look like us, that shapes our perception of our place in the world in a positive and powerful way.”
Posted inTimes Weekly News
Joliet rejects possibility of cannabis dispensaries in residential areas
When it came to the future placement of any marijuana dispensaries near a residential neighborhood in Joliet, some residents spoke, and the council heard them loud and clear. The Joliet City Council on Tuesday voted 6-2 against a proposal to reduce the setback of and adult use cannabis shop from 250 feet to 100 feet. The initial proposal was to reduce it down to 50 feet. Kathy Spieler, of the Reedwood Neighborhood Association, told the council she came to Tuesday’s meeting to say, “50 feet is too close to our kids.” Spieler expressed concern the proposed ordinance would allow cannabis dispensaries too close to pre-schools, daycare center, schools and parks and other places where children would be nearby.
Posted inTimes Weekly News
Forest Preserve's Black Road trail connection to Shorewood opens
A Forest Preserve District of Will County trail connection that stretches from Shorewood to Joliet along Black Road opened for public use on Friday, November 12, following a public ribbon cutting ceremony. The trail connection links the DuPage River Trail in Hammel Woods with the Rock Run Greenway Trail in Rock Run Preserve. The new path includes pedestrian bridges over the DuPage River and Interstate 55. The ribbon cutting was held on the DuPage River bridge portion of the trail connection.
“This bridge is going to increase the safety of walkers, runners and bikers,” said U.S. Rep Bill Foster. “… And it’s going to help everyone who is trying to get out on these trails to explore everything our region has to offer.”
Posted inTimes Weekly News
Will County, still no decision on doling out second round of stimulus
Many have inquired about how to get a piece of the $134 million Will County received earlier this year from the federal American Rescue Plan. County officials, however, have yet to dole out any of that second round of COVID relief funding and, as they did with the CARES Act funding, they plan to once again hire the same consultant to assist in the process of distributing funds.
“Although we have not made an official determination on how the funds will be disbursed, we have received quite a few requests from our Will County residents, businesses, municipalities, local governments, non-profits, county board members, department heads and other customers,” said Will County Board member Ken Harris (D-Bolingbrook). Harris is chairman of the county board’s Finance Committee.
Posted inTimes Weekly News
Democrats, Republicans at odds over new district map
They argued over it and with little, if any, agreement across the aisle the Will County board voted along straight party lines in favor of a new 11-district map. The board voted 14-12 on the new 11-district map for 2022 that will result in two county board members per district and four less than there are now with the current 13-district map. Some Republicans on the board accused Democrats with “gerrymandering,” to get the map the way they wanted, which brought vehement disagreement from Democrats. Board member Jacqueline Traynere (D-Bolingbrook) said she got tired of hearing the “constant barrage of accusing us of gerrymandering. “This is about changes in our population,” Traynere said in support of the new map.
