Good morning, Joliet.

Residents in six Will County communities—Joliet, Channahon, Crest Hill, Minooka, Romeoville and Shorewood—can join an online water conservation challenge until April 30, with each community awarding one prize and the group with the most pledges receiving a trophy at a future board meeting.

Several Joliet restaurants closed in 2025 because rising food and labor costs and supply chain issues cut into profits—local owners are adapting menus and business models for modest growth in 2026.

Atelier Joliet Art Gallery will host a dual artist opening for internationally recognized Jeffrey Equality Brooks and Joseph Mayernik at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Apr.

25, at 50 N. Chicago St. The exhibit runs six to eight weeks with light hor’s d’oeuvres and wine (the works can also be purchased online and viewed Thursday through Saturday).

Illinois farmers face rising fertilizer costs due to shipping issues from the Iran conflict + many plan to secure early purchases ahead of spring planting.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced lane closures on I-80 overnight Monday and Tuesday in Joliet for work zone stage changes near Richards and Center streets and Wheeler Avenue — drivers should plan extra travel time.

Joliet will begin water main replacement on N.

Raynor and Larkin avenues Monday, Apr. 13. The Raynor project will require full street closure with detours until May 4 while Larkin work will slow daily traffic until pavement restoration wraps up by June 12.

Hyundai Translead has detailed plans to operate production at two former industrial sites — with nearly 1,300 local hires expected — as it seeks a 50% property tax abatement today at the former Lion Electric plant and will begin hiring later this year at the Caterpillar plant outside city limits.

Herald-News announced the 2025-26 All-Area Boys Basketball Team with top players including Bolingbrook's Brady Pettigrew - Plainfield East's KJ Miller.

The list also names players from Lockport and other local schools as first-team, second-team and honorable mentions for the upcoming season.

Newman baseball beat Princeton 12-2 on Monday in a five-inning game as the team scored eight runs in the fifth inning behind five hits plus three walks from pitcher Drake Cole while Garret Matznick drove in three key runs.

Junior Duke Mays, a football and wrestling standout, transferred from Johnsburg to Joliet Catholic Academy today—he is expected to compete for the Hilltoppers while staying close to his family and hometown ties.

Minooka’s baseball team bounced back on Monday with a five-inning win over Joliet Central, scoring four runs in the first inning and winning 12 to 0.

After a loss on Thursday, the team looks forward to games against Plainfield Central & Joliet West this week.

Men’s Baseball Game vs Joliet Junior College

3-5 p.m. — Joliet Junior College — Free entry — Catch the Bulldogs in action as they take on Joliet Junior College with the first pitch at 3 p.m.

Forever K-Pop: A Celebration Concert

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Rialto Square Theatre — Tickets start at $39 — Experience an electrifying tribute to the global K-pop phenomenon with high-energy performances and visual spectacle.

Shining Star - Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute

8-11 p.m. — Hollywood Casino Joliet — Tickets required — Groove to the iconic hits of Earth, Wind, and Fire in a night of nostalgia and energetic music.