Local News

Vaughn’s Kitchen 79th District’s March Local Business Spotlight
For the March Local Business Spotlight, State Rep. Jackie Haas recognized a local Bourbonnais business. She presented a certificate to owners Joshua Vaughn and Catherine Hilgeman to recognize this small business’ importance in the community. “Nothing says home like good food made by our neighbors,” said Rep. Haas. “Vaughn’s Kitchen serves famous Alfredo and Alfredo…

Crete Library News
Thursday, March 16 Primetime for Preschool, from 1 – 2 p.m., ages four/five: During this independent storytime experience, children spend time with other preschoolers, while enjoying stories, songs, finger plays, games, and learning stations. Register. STEAM Kids – Rainbow Revelries, from 6 – 7 p.m., grades K/second: Join the group to make your own rainbow,…

Crete Area Chamber February Meeting Highlights
Create Area Chamber of Commerce met on February 8, with seven members present. Items discussed by members included: Membership renewals, with a current target goal of 100 members. A gift card drawing incentive was approved, if members renewed by March 10; Preparations for Cruise Nights has begun, with discussion on the effects of construction at…

Will County Board Approves Election Judge Pay Increase
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry announced the Will County Board recently approved her request to immediately raise the salaries of election judges, starting with the 2023 Consolidated Election. The base pay for working on Election Day will jump to $200 from $150 for trained election judges. “Our election judges provide an incredibly important service…

Will County Early Voting Expands to 25 Locations
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry reminds voters Early Voting for the April 4 Consolidated Election expanded to 25 locations across Will County on Monday, March 20. Early Voting at the Will County Clerk’s Office, 302 N. Chicago Street in downtown Joliet, also continues through Monday, April 3. Hours for Early Voting vary, depending upon…

Crete-Monee School Board Candidate: William Sawallisch Jr.
Name: William Sawallisch Jr Home Address/years in the school district: 6924 Trisha Court, Monee / 22+ years in the School District Subdistrict you reside in: I am in Sub-District 1 Community Involvement: I have been the Monee Youth Baseball & Softball President, I was the Crete-Monee High School Athletic Booster President & Member for 8…

Crete-Monee School Board Candidate: Jeanine Galbraith
I’m Jeanine Galbraith and I’m running for re-election as the District 4 CM201-U School Board member. I have lived in Crete for 31 years and have been married to my husband, Bill, for 37 years. I am retired from the Chicago Tribune after 40 years of service. I am a member of Crete Woman’s Club.…

Crete-Monee School Board Candidate: Alejandro ‘Alex’ Gallegos
Name: Alejandro “Alex” Gallegos Home Address/years in the school district: Crete, Illinois; 3 years Subdistrict you reside in: 4 Community Involvement: I’m an involved community member who has attended park district board meetings, village board meetings, school board meetings, and more over the last couple of years to learn more about how our local government…

County Mental Health Board Holds First Meeting
Newly created board elects first president and secretary; establishes bylaws. The Will County Community Mental Health Board held their first meeting to elect officers and establish bylaws. This marks the first key step for the newly created board to establish their plan to evaluate and improve community mental health services in Will County, including the…

Leader Haas Promotes Preparation for Severe Weather
As March 6 through 10 was Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois, Assistant House Minority Leader Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) promoted preparation and being ready for when severe weather strikes in the 79th District. “The 79th District includes Chicago southland, farmland, and big towns, like Kankakee and Bourbonnais, but we all need to be prepared for…

Crete Library News
Thursday, March 16 Primetime for Preschool, from 1 – 2 p.m., ages four/five: During this independent storytime experience, children spend time with other preschoolers, while listening to stories and enjoying songs, finger plays, games, and learning stations. Register. STEAM Kids – Rainbow Revelries, from 6 – 7 p.m., grades K/second: Join friends and experiment with…
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World Business Chicago Honors Companies Driving Growth, Innovation
World Business Chicago, the city’s economic development agency, is proud to announce the recipients of the prestigious pro-Chicagoland decisions, FDI Trailblazer, Impact Maker, Up-and-Coming Innovator, Community Impact, and Innovation Champion Awards for 2022. These companies were honored at an event held recently at The Terminal in Humboldt Park, following an historic announcement by “Site Selection”…

Will County’s Options For Old County Courthouse Limited
By Stephen Nelson At its Thursday, March 16, meeting, the Will County Board learned of a host of legal restrictions to any reuse of the old Will County Courthouse building. The board already has authorized significant funding to study the cost of demolition. In a memo from the office of Will County State’s Attorney James…

Will County Board Approves Election Judge Pay Increase
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry announced the Will County Board recently approved her request to immediately raise the salaries of election judges, starting with the 2023 Consolidated Election. The base pay for working on Election Day will jump to $200 from $150 for trained election judges. “Our election judges provide an incredibly important service…

Will County Early Voting Expands to 25 Locations
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry reminds voters Early Voting for the April 4 Consolidated Election expanded to 25 locations across Will County on Monday, March 20. Early Voting at the Will County Clerk’s Office, 302 N. Chicago Street in downtown Joliet, also continues through Monday, April 3. Hours for Early Voting vary, depending upon…

Vieni Found Guilty of Aggravated Battery, Domestic Violence Against Senior Citizen
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced a jury found Nicole Vieni, 36, of Chicago, guilty of aggravated battery of a senior citizen (Class 3 Felony), domestic violence (Class A Misdemeanor), and interfering with reporting eomestic violence (Class A Misdemeanor). The jury reached its verdict recently following a trial over which Circuit Judge John Connor…

JJC Hires New Bowling Coach
The Joliet Junior College Athletic Department is pleased to announce Jeff Bailey as the Wolves’ first men’s and women’s bowling coach. JJC will begin competitive bowling with the 2023-24 school year. Bailey, a Joliet native, brings a wealth of experience and success to the Wolves program. He has coached high school bowling in Illinois for…

County Mental Health Board Holds First Meeting
Newly created board elects first president and secretary; establishes bylaws. The Will County Community Mental Health Board held their first meeting to elect officers and establish bylaws. This marks the first key step for the newly created board to establish their plan to evaluate and improve community mental health services in Will County, including the…

Voter Registration Deadlines Approaching Quickly; Options Still Available!
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry encourages all eligible Will County residents to register to vote for the upcoming Consolidated Election and reminds everyone registration deadlines rapidly are approaching. The last day to register to vote in person or by mail was March 7, but online registration is open through Sunday, March 19. The Will…

Health Department’s Dr. Burke Named to Nationwide Mental Health/Wellbeing Commission
The National Association of Counties (NACo) announced 14 county leaders have been appointed to the new commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing, including Will County Health Department’s Dr. Kathleen Burke. The group, unveiled at NACo’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., is tasked with leading the development of policy and programmatic recommendations at the federal, state,…