U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood’s legislation to rename the Plainfield Post Office in honor of Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr., a decorated Army veteran from Joliet, has gained bipartisan support and was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives.
Joliet
Posted inPolitics
Ventura pushes back on corporate homebuying, advances bill to protect housing supply
State Senator Rachel Ventura is advancing legislation to curb the influence of private equity and large institutional investors in Illinois’ housing market, by establishing a graduated annual fee on institutional investors and requiring a 90-day waiting period before they can make a purchase.
Posted inNews
Plainfield Looks to Avoid Joliet’s “Mad Rush” with Data Center Moratorium
The Plainfield Village Board has approved a 180-day moratorium on all data center applications and permits to update zoning laws and ensure local power grids can handle the demand before allowing developers to break ground.
Posted inFeatured
Plainfield Halts Data Center Growth to Avoid Struggles Seen in Joliet and Yorkville
The Village of Plainfield has adopted an ordinance to place a 180-day moratorium on the development of data centers within the village, citing environmental concerns and insufficient power infrastructure.
Posted inNews
Young voter participation plan to provide registration information for qualified high schoolers
State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is backing a plan to provide graduating high school students with the opportunity to register to vote by their school under House Bill 4339, which has been dubbed the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law.
Posted inEducation
One hundred free coats, hats and gloves donated to Cunningham School by 4 Kids’ Sake Food Pantry
State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, joined 4 Kids’ Sake Food Pantry to deliver 100 coats, hats and gloves to students at Cunningham School in Joliet.
Posted inLocal
East & Southeast Regional Alliance April Meeting
The Three Rivers Association of Realtors is hosting their annual Home Expo on April 18, 2026, and Ezio Community Development Services is accepting applications for their Home Remodel & Repair Grant Program, while the City of Joliet Tree Advisory Board is organizing a training program to form an Openlands TreeKeepers Chapter.
Posted inNews
Stepping Stones Recovery Home for Women, Children is officially open
Stepping Stones recently opened an 8-unit Recovery Home for Women with Children in Joliet, providing a structured, supportive living environment for women with a substance abuse disorder and their children up to age five.
Posted inNews
Manley hosts Judge Collette Safford at Legislative Advisory Committee for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
State Rep. Natalie Manley hosted a meeting of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legislative Advisory Committee to discuss guardianship with Will County Circuit Judge Collette Safford, and to identify areas where policy solutions could help the over 70,000 grandparents raising grandchildren in Illinois.
Posted inEntertainment
One Hope United now enrolling children for summer camp programs
One Hope United is now enrolling children in its Summer Camp programs, offering full-day care with hands-on academic enrichment, STEM-based activities, sports, cooking, and arts and crafts for children ages 5-12 at locations in Aurora, Joliet, and Bridgeport (Chicago).
