Will County News

Union nurses at AMITA St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet have voted to authorize a strike, according to the group's Facebook page . The results of the strike vote were: 558 Yes 53 No During the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, nurses have reported their major concerns include staffing ratios and benefits.

A Plainfield School District 202 Facebook post announced the District will spend $4.05 million to purchase 10,000 laptops for remote learning. The post also shared the District is planning for three possible reopening scenarios.  Full post from District 202's Facebook page: "District 202 will buy 10,000 laptops this summer for $4.05 million to help bolster the district’s Remote Learning system for next school year. The Board of Education approved the purchase at its May 26, 2020 regular meeting. The new laptops will be available for high school students to take home as needed. Or they could be combined with existing classroom computers to also provide enough laptops for middle school students to use at home. “This purchase is a crucial step to help us build up our existing resources for Remote Learning,” said Dr. Glenn Wood, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Wood oversaw the district’s work this spring to quickly implement Remote Learning when th...

State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet), posted an update on repairs to Illinois Route 53 in Joliet.  The Illinois Department of Transportation estimates repairs may be completed by late Friday, May 22, 2020. Heavy rains on Sunday, May 17, 2020 resulted in water flooding onto the roadway and destroying the road.  The Joliet Firefighters Union posted videos showing the water rushing onto Chicago Street:

From the Village of Channahon's website : Channahon Township Mobile Food Pantry On Thursday, May 21, 2020, Channahon Township is hosting a Mobile Food Pantry in partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Food is free to low-income families in need and will be distributed on a first-come, first served basis, while supplies last.  Date:  Thursday, May 21, 2020 Time:  4:30-6:00 p.m. Location:  Channahon Township (25355 S. Center Street) Details:  Please enter by the big flag pole. For more information, please contact Channahon Township at (815) 467-2569.

May 18, 2020 The Kankakee County Sheriff's Office announced on their Facebook Page that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has closed the Kankakee River for Boating and Recreation until further notice. Days of heavy rainfall have created dangerous conditions on the river. Notice on the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page:

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau published a video address making the case for reopening the economy while allowing for voluntary social distancing.  Pekau stated the people of Orland Park have not had representation because the Illinois General Assembly has not met since the beginning of the crisis.  Pekau went on to say the State of Illinois has failed in terms of administering unemployment benefits and protecting people in long-term care facilities.  Watch Pekau's May 14, 2020 address:

Joliet Junior College has announced its Fall 2020 plan on its website, where an update was posted from College President Mitchell.  The update on Fall 2020 can be found under the "Latest Update" section for May 14, 2020. The College announced all Fall 2020 lecture courses will be conducted online.  Courses with a lab component will conduct the lab via an online simulation until the State of Illinois reaches Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois mandate. Full announcement on Fall 2020 from Joliet Junior College: "Updated May 14, 2020 at 6:36 p.m. From JJC President Dr. Judy Mitchell JJC Operations Announcement for Fall 2020 semester To proactively prepare for the fall semester, I am announcing the following operational plan for Joliet Junior College’s Fall 2020 semester, in alignment with state mandates outlined in the Restore Illinois Plan: All Fall 2020 lecture courses will be delivered online. This includes lecture courses that had been scheduled to be tradit...

Congressman Adam Kinzinger's office issued a press release on April 30, 2020 announcing that the Illinois Republican Congressional Delegation had sent a letter to Governor Pritzker urging the Illinois Governor begin a phased reopening of "businesses critical to the state's economy". Read the letter sent by the Illinois Republican Congressional Delegation to Governor J.B. Pritzker here . Full press release from Congressman Kinzinger's office: "Washington, DC  – U.S.  Congressmen  Adam Kinzinger (IL-16),   Rodney Davis (IL-13),   John Shimkus (IL-15),   Darin LaHood (IL-18),  and  Mike Bost (IL-12)  sent a letter to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker urging a plan that would begin a safe, phased reopening of businesses critical to the state’s economy. As  noted in their letter , the coronavirus pandemic has impacted different parts of the state in different ways, and a safe and sensible reopening plan must reflect those differences. ...