Thetimesweekly.com Project Acclaim has selected the National Hook Up of Black Women, Inc. Joliet Chapter (NHBW) to receive the 4th Quarter of 2021 Reverend James E. Allen Award for Service to the Community. This award recognizes individuals or organizations who show selfless devotion of community by direct action; perform actions that have a community-wide impact; perform actions that significantly improve the life or well-being of individuals; and perform actions that enhance the best interests of the community. The National Hook Up of Black Women initiatives and efforts in the greater Joliet area certainly match the criteria for this award. Project Acclaim was particularly moved by the NHBW’s efforts to promote literacy throughout our community by giving out free books at community events and making available after-school tutoring as well as the organization’s efforts to encourage vaccination against infection and the spread of COVID-19.
Up
U.S. Depart. of Energy kicks off recruitment in support of bipartisan infrastructure law
Washington DC. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the launch of its Clean Energy Corps, which is made up of staff from more than a dozen offices across DOE – current staff and new hires – who will work together to research, develop, demonstrate, and deploy solutions to climate change.
DOE also announced that the Clean Energy Corps is ready to recruit an additional 1,000 employees using a special hiring authority included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help implement the Law’s historic infusion of $62 billion in funding and accelerate the nation’s drive to a clean energy future.
The Clean Energy Corps’ new hiring portal will help streamline the application process for the industry veterans, experienced technical experts, and the next generation of clean energy leaders it seeks to attract.
Will County COVID numbers spike again heading into the New Year
COVID numbers in Will County spiked dramatically in the days leading up the Christmas holiday and it looks as though they will continue to rise heading into 2022, according to local health officials.
Homeowner’s push ahead in fight against Love's truck stop
A plan to bring a largescale truck stop to the southwest corner of Interstate I-80 and Briggs Street in Joliet remains tied up in court despite it being previously approved in 2018 by the City Council – albeit by a somewhat slim majority vote at the time.
Homeowners push ahead in fight against truck stop
A plan to bring a largescale truck stop to the southwest corner of Interstate I-80 and Briggs Street in Joliet remains tied up in court despite it being previously approved in 2018 by the City Council – albeit by a somewhat slim majority vote at the time. A Will County Circuit Court Judge has yet to rule on the injunction filed against Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores on behalf of the Neighbors Opposed to Annexation of Parcels (N.O.A.P.) group in 2018. A hearing on the case is scheduled for January 19, 2022. A property at 1314 New Lenox Road, in unincorporated Joliet, which is owned by Jaquenette and Wesley Cottrell would need to be annexed into Joliet for the project to move forward. Both are members of N.O.A.P. and are apposed to annexing into Joliet. Jaquenette has launched a new website (www.neighborsopposedtoannexationofparcels.com) to keep residents and the community updated on progress to the proposed truck stop. Cottrell and other neighbors have been fighting the proposal since 2018.
Joliet’s finance director delivers mostly good news on proposed budget
Road improvements totaling more than $30 million, body cameras for police officers, more revenue from sales taxes and real estate taxes and a reduction in the tax levy. That was some of the good news outlined in the City of Joliet’s proposed 2022 budget presented Monday by Jim Ghedotte, the city’s finance director. Ghedotte presented the budget on behalf of City Manager James Capparelli. It includes revenues of $388.7 million and expenditures of $438.1 million. The estimated $50 million shortfall will be made up by selling bonds to pay for $28 million in water and sewer replacement projects, as opposed to paying for them in cash. Also reserves funds from the current budget are projected to total $250 million. Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk and the city council are expected to take a closer look at the proposed budget and likely make some adjustments prior to putting it to a vote on Dec. 21.
JJC, Museum team up to digitally preserve early 20th century sounds of Joliet
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.
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.
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.”
Enjoy Thanksgiving safely Minimize the risk of a holiday spike
Families in surrounding suburbs will gather to enjoy the Thanksgiving feast and give thanks for all that they have – most of all each other. While the impact of the pandemic has been greatly reduced as more people and now children get vaccinated, there are still risks of spreading the virus. Health experts warn the holiday gatherings could be breeding grounds for spreading the virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the best way to minimize COVID-19 risk and keep family and friends safer is to get vaccinated. Many health experts this year also suggest if unvaccinated family and friends plan to attend holiday gatherings, they should get a rapid COVID test just before they show up. Here are some safe ways to celebrate the holidays from the CDC.
