Local Manhattan News
Will County Committee Hits Brakes on License Plate Reader Agreements Awaiting Privacy Policy Review
Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee delayed votes on five intergovernmental agreements for Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras, citing the need to review vendor privacy policies. The decision followed a robust debate featuring local police chiefs who defended…
Read MoreGreen Garden Solar Project Cleared to Implement Higher “Agrivoltaic” Standards
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved four variances on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, to facilitate “agrivoltaics” at a proposed solar farm in Green Garden Township, allowing native plants to grow up to three feet tall. The decision permits USS Talamh…
Read MoreGreen Garden Solar Farm Approved in Split Vote; Battery Storage Component Rejected
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for a new 4.98-megawatt solar facility in Green Garden Township on May 5, 2026, but formally rejected a request for an on-site battery energy storage system following intense testimony regarding environmental safety and…
Read MoreJJC Entrepreneur and Business Center Celebrates $800,000 Federal Grant, Client Successes
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | April 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Joliet Junior College Entrepreneur and Business Center highlighted its recent community impact and rapid growth during a presentation celebrating an $800,000 federal grant secured by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. JJC Entrepreneur and Business Center Key Points: Senator Dick Durbin recently allocated $800,000…
Read MoreWill County Passes Comprehensive Adult Entertainment Ordinance
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board passed Ordinance 26-133, enacting Chapter 119 of the Business Regulations to establish rigorous licensing, operational, and structural guidelines for adult entertainment establishments in unincorporated areas. Adult Entertainment Regulations Key Points: Imposes a $200 administrative processing fee and requires a $5,000 surety…
Read MoreWill County Board Approves Controversial Solar Farms Following Court Mandate
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: Under the strict constraints of a court-issued writ of mandamus, the Will County Board grudgingly approved multiple special use permits for commercial solar facilities. The approvals included the 2,258-acre Plum Valley Solar project, while the Board simultaneously passed a resolution urging state lawmakers to restore…
Read MoreOldest preserve expansion pushes acreage past 24,000 milestone
The Forest Preserve’s first acquisition of the year not only expands the District’s oldest preserve, it also pushes total acreage past the 24,000 mark. On March 27, the Forest Preserve acquired almost 106 acres on the southwest side of Messenger Woods Nature Preserve in Homer Glen. The acquisition is north of Bruce Road and east of Cedar…
Read MoreOn the road to 100 years: How the Forest Preserve District expanded
As the Forest Preserve District approaches its centennial year in 2027 with a total of nearly 24,000 protected acres, it’s a good time to reflect on how the District grew into a countywide system of preserves, trails and visitor centers. That growth didn’t happen by accident. Early on, the District followed a philosophy of one…
Read MoreExecutive Committee Advances Sweeping Updates to Adult Entertainment and Wireless Facilities Ordinances
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | April 9, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee advanced two major ordinances completely rewriting the county’s regulations for Adult Entertainment Establishments and Wireless Telecommunication Facilities, establishing strict new operational boundaries, fees, and location restrictions. Will County Business Ordinance Updates Key Points: Ordinance #26-133 / 26-4249-01…
Read MoreExecutive Committee Approves Local Fire District Appointments, Faces Pushback Over Delayed Elwood Seat
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | April 9, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee approved a slate of appointments for several fire protection districts, including Manhattan and Monee, while engaging in a tense discussion regarding the delayed appointment for the Elwood Fire District, which currently risks losing its ability to form a…
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