Good morning, Joliet.

The city of Joliet announced that a section of Essington Road between Galena Drive and Adesso Lane will be closed starting Tuesday for a water main project near the Louis Joliet Mall business district—drivers are advised to take alternate routes until the road reopens by Sept.

2.

The Joliet City Council voted 5-4 to keep the 1% grocery tax in place and will impose it locally effective Jan.

1—ensuring the city continues to collect about $3.7 million a year after the state repeals the tax. Mayor Terry D’Arcy cast the tie-breaking vote as council members and residents debated the revenue benefit.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is hiring seasonal 'Snowbirds' to work on snow and ice removal for more than 45,000 lane miles during winter and pay full-time workers $6,044 per month or hourly workers $27.79 per hour—applications are due online by Friday, Aug 22.

Applicants must have a Class A or B commercial driver’s license and pass required tests.

Joliet has hired Ann Sylvester as its first cultural affairs director and Emmanuel Lopez as the executive director of the City Center Partnership to boost downtown initiatives—Sylvester brings 25 years of Chicago events experience and Lopez has organized community and sports events, and both will plan on enhancing the new downtown square and next year’s Route 66 centennial. They aim to attract more visitors and showcase the city’s diverse cultural offerings.

Illinois drivers will face changes when House Bill 1226 lowers the renewal age from 79 to 75 and lets family report drivers who may be unsafe.

Drivers 87 and older must pass a road test every time and the Secretary of State may require extra vision, written, or road tests—steps designed to boost safety before the law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Five promising boys soccer players from the local area will shine in the 2025 fall season, including Joliet Central’s Ricardo Camacho and standout athletes from Plainfield Central, Minooka, Romeoville, and Lockport — each carrying impressive past records and key skills for their teams. Their successes in past seasons mark them as players to watch this upcoming season.

NASCAR will return to Chicagoland Speedway next year for the 4th of July weekend, with the ARCA Menards Series race on July 3, the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series event on July 4, and the NASCAR Cup Series race on July 5 — these events will boost local excitement.

Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy said the homecoming is fantastic for the community.

A 2025 season preview for the CCL/ESCC Blue outlines game schedules and key matchups for Brother Rice, Loyola, Mount Carmel and St. Ignatius, with teams preparing to improve their records this fall and players set to shine (Mount Carmel will face Joliet Catholic on Oct.

10). Steve Soucie projects playoff qualification for Mount Carmel, Loyola, Brother Rice and St. Ignatius in a season that will decide a division title.

Old-Growth Measurements Workshop

9 AM – 12 PM — Pilcher Park Nature Center — Free — Engage in measuring and photographing features of rare old-growth forests for community science.

Wine, Jazz and Art Fest

3:30-9 p.m. — Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park — $20 entry — Savor fine wines and enjoy local jazz while browsing unique art by local artists.

LAPS Track Days Event #3 (High Performance Driver Education)

All day event — Autobahn Country Club — Pricing varies — Experience high-speed driving and improve your racing skills in a safe environment.

Lake Erie Crushers vs. Joliet Slammers

1-4 p.m. — Duly Health And Care Field — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an exciting baseball game featuring local favorites, the Joliet Slammers.

Stepping Up Virtual 5K

Anytime from Sep 7-14 — KSKJ Life — Registration required — Step up for lung health and support national parks while enjoying a 5K at your own pace.

Rhapsody Of Fire Concert

6:00-8:30 p.m. — The Forge — Check for ticket details — Experience the epic sounds of Rhapsody Of Fire with a thrilling live performance.

Concerts in the Park 2025

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Preservation Park — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of live music in the beautiful setting of Joliet's Preservation Park.

Scorey Live Performance

8:00-9:30 p.m. — The Forge — Ticketed event — Enjoy a vibrant show with reserved seating that offers the best views from the balcony.