Skip to content
Dr. Clyne G. H. Namuo Appointed to Association of Community College Trustees Advisory Committee
Dr. Clyne G. H. Namuo, 10th president of Joliet Junior College, recently was appointed to the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Advisory Committee of Presidents. The ACCT advisory committee of presidents was established to ensure chief executives have a voice in recommending and evaluating educational programs offered by ACCT and is represented by four…
Seeking Public Input for Future Wilmington-Peotone Road Improvements
By Karen Haave Planners for the Will County Department of Highways don’t know exactly what improvements will be needed for Wilmington-Peotone Road in the future, but they are pretty sure something will be needed. To that end, they are seeking input from residents and those who frequently travel the 22-mile corridor from Drecksler Road in…
O’Brien Sentenced to 10 Years in 2019 Wife’s Attempted First Degree Murder Stabbing
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Patrick O’Brien, 63, of Naperville, was sentenced recently by Circuit Judge John Connor to 10 years in prison in the attempted first degree murder of his wife. O’Brien was found guilty August 29, of Attempt First Degree Murder (a Class X felony) and Aggravated Domestic Battery (a Class…
Will County Coordinating with Municipalities, State on Texas Bus Arrivals
The Will County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is working to provide information and coordinate with municipalities and state agencies as the Chicagoland region is experiencing an increase in buses transporting asylum-seekers from the State of Texas. “Our municipalities have seen an increase in buses from Texas disembarking passengers at Metra stations and other locations throughout…
Solar Farm Near Frankfort Rejected By Will County Board
By Stephen Nelson After listening to an hour and a half of negative public comment from residents near a proposed solar farm on West 104th Street at the end of Kuse Road in Green Garden Township, the Will County Board at its December 21 meeting, voted almost unanimously (16-1) to deny a special use permit for…
Former School Bus Driver Christian Shepherd Sentenced to 74 Years in Murder-for-Hire Plot
Shepherd previously sentenced to 76 Years in second murder-for-hire plot. Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Christian Shepherd, 44, of Ottawa, was sentenced recently by Circuit Judge David Carlson to 74 years in prison in a murder-for-hire plot in which he attempted to hire a fellow inmate to murder a victim he was…
Will County Seeks Public Input on Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant is asking the public to participate in a survey that will help the county identify infrastructure needs for electric and other alternative fuel vehicles. The survey results will support a comprehensive plan to prepare the county to proactively meet growing demand for sustainable transportation options. “There is a fast-growing demand…
Emma Rannells Receives AAIM Service Award
State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Victim Witness Advocate Emma Rannells has received the Diane Mains Award from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) for her dedication in assisting impaired driving crash victims and their families. “In addition to prosecuting impaired driving cases, my office provides victims much-needed support throughout the criminal justice process,” Glasgow…
Will County Animal Control Offering Free Microchipping in December
The Will County Animal Control Department is offering free microchipping services to dogs and cats owned by county residents throughout December as part of their “Home for the Holidays” Program. “We’re hoping to incentivize pet owners to microchip their pets,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “Having pets microchipped, with updated tags, helps ensure they…
Will County Clerk Holds Lottery Determining Primary Top Candidate Ballot Spots
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry held a lottery on Wednesday, December 13, to determine which candidates will appear in the top ballot position in certain races in the March 19, Primary Election. The lottery, held in the Will County Board Room, involved those candidates who filed petitions simultaneously at the start of the business…
Rockett Sentenced to 12 Years in Fatal Girlfriend Shooting
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Ben Rockett, 71, of Joliet, was sentenced recently to 12 years in prison in the 2021 shooting death of Sonja Underwood. Rockett pled guilty to Armed Habitual Criminal (a class X felony) before Circuit Judge Carmen Goodman. On the evening of March 30, 2021, Rockett and girlfriend Underwood…
New State-of-the-Art Election Equipment Demonstration Planned
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry is inviting the public to a demonstration of new state-of-the-art election equipment that will be used to cast and count ballots in next year’s Primary and Presidential Elections. County Clerk Staley Ferry and her team will conduct demonstrations of the new ballot counters, ADA-compliant ballot-marking devices, and poll books…
Bertino-Tarrant Announces Re-election Campaign
Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant filed petitions with the Will County Clerk’s office this week, officially kicking-off her re-election campaign. Pledging to continue prioritizing public safety, balanced budgets, and an open and transparent government, Bertino-Tarrant points to her promises made and kept in her desire to seek a second term. “When I ran for county…
Darrius Brown Convicted of Aggravated Domestic Battery for 2018 Attack
Brown previously convicted of aggravated domestic abuse of child’s mother, sentenced to eight years in prison. Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Circuit Judge Carmen Goodman on Monday, November 20, found Darrius Brown, 42, of Plainfield, guilty of Aggravated Domestic Battery (a Class 2 felony), Aggravated Unlawful Restraint with a Deadly Weapon (a Class…
JJC Becomes Statewide Leader in Dual Credit Enrollment
Joliet Junior College has established itself as a statewide leader in dual credit enrollment, *reporting a record 23.93 percent increase in dual credit enrollment hours compared to fall 2022. This is the first milestone since the October 2022 introduction of the 12x12x12 program, an aggressive dual-credit initiative envisioned by JJC President Dr. Clyne Namuo that…
Support USF’s ‘Francis Fund’ Giving Tuesday, November 28
If you ever wanted to support the pursuit of a higher education for students at the University of St. Francis (USF), you have the opportunity to do so on Tuesday, November 28, a day known globally as Giving Tuesday. Join fellow Saints worldwide as they come together to celebrate USF students and encourage giving to…
Will County Board Passes Budget After Last Minute Amendment
By Stephen Nelson Responding to a request from the Will County Public Defender’s Office, County Commissioners at their Thursday November 16, meeting were able to pass a budget for the next fiscal year beginning December 1. Several persons who work in the Public Defender’s Office showed up complaining they were left out of budget discussions…
