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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County implements project for residents facing eviction
The County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and 12th Judicial Circuit Court Chief Judge Daniel Kennedy will implement their joint eviction-diversion program to help mitigate COVID-19 related housing impacts. The program, officially titled the Court-Based Housing Stabilization Program, was created to offer tenants facing eviction court one final opportunity to connect with state and local assistance. The initial pilot project was prepared ahead of the expiration of the Illinois eviction moratorium in October 2021.
Nearly $1.5M in educational scholarships to Black college students for 2022 open
TTW Staff Report The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the pre-eminent membership organization committed to increasing the number of global Black executives in C-suites, on corporate boards and in global enterprises, will offer nearly $1.5 million in scholarships for Black undergraduate and graduate students in 2022. Undergraduate scholarship applications opened at https://elcscholarships.elcinfo.com/ and graduate applications launch on February 15 via the same link.
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.”
County leaders spotlight priorities in 2022 annual budget
County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant joined County Board leadership in highlighting accomplishments in the Fiscal Year 2022 annual budget, which, they said, invests in key priorities while maintaining balanced spending. The $793 million package, which was passed unanimously today by the County Board, increases funding for public safety agencies, the Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Will-Ride transportation program.
Pritzker issues Executive Order mandated daycare workers to get COVID vaccines or face weekly testing
Daycare workers in Illinois will soon face mandatory COVID vaccines or weekly COVID testing if not fully vaccinated by early January, 2022. There are 175 daycare facilities in Will County, according to countyoffice.org.
To prevent further spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of Illinois’ youngest residents, Gov. JB Pritzker joined Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Department of Human Services Secretary Grace Hou, and Department of Childhood and Family Services Director Marc Smith Friday to announce new vaccination or weekly testing requirements for individuals who work in licensed day care centers.
Will County Executive reminds residents of rental assistance ahead of eviction moratorium expiration
Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant is reminding tenants and landlords of financial assistance available to residents ahead of the Oct. 3 expiration of the Illinois eviction moratorium. Will County COMEBACK Grant funding is available to tenants, landlords, and homeowners who are impacted by economic hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pedestrian bridge opens two new Forest Preserve trails for outdoors enthusiast
The Forest Preserve District of Will County just made it easier and safer for outdoor enthusiast. The bridge installed early Wednesday morning will link two Forest Preserve District of Will County trails along Black Road between Joliet and Shorewood. This installation over I-55 was the second pedestrian bridge to be installed along Black Road as part of the Forest Preserve’s plan. The first bridge, a 260-foot span over the DuPage River, was installed in August 2020. The two bridges and a path along Black Road will connect the DuPage River Trail in Hammel Woods to the Rock Run Greenway Trail in Rock Run Preserve.
Bertino-Tarrant recommends 11-District Board
At the September county board meeting, Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant presented her proposed redistricting plan for 11 two-member districts, which reduces the size of the Will County Board by four members.
Will County leads national panel on pandemic rental assistance
Will County Board Member Denise Winfrey (Joliet) will moderate a panel on Friday that will examine best practices for counties across the United States that are administering Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) for individuals who face housing insecurity because of the Coronavirus pandemic. The panel is hosted by the National Association of Counties (NACo) of which Winfrey is the First Vice President.

