Press Box

Tales from the Prairie available now - Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Sunny Hill’s motorcycle mama, camel rider, honorary Joliet Catholic Academy graduates and more are featured in a recently published book, Tales from the Prairie.

The book, made possible by a grant from the Illinois Department of Health, consists of 51 stories in six categories of culture change compiled by the Illinois Pioneer Coalition. It also is the inspiration of a movie designed for use by groups which deal with the elderly and aging issues. (See related story.)

Sunny Hill residents, day campers create movie magic - Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Left, right, left, right, left… Feet kept in rhythm as Stars and Stripes Forever blared from a portable stereo in the courtyard.

Small feet moved up and down, knees bouncing upward. Larger feet kept time, too, not moving quite as far or fast. But all were moving. At times arms would be added. Fists pumping in the air or out in front. Always, there was movement.

The gift of life - Friday, August 13, 2010

Steve Parks, a foreman with the Will County Highway Department’s Caton Farm facility, raises his arm after he finishes giving blood at the County’s annual blood drive on Thursday, Aug. 12.

Team Sunny Hill raising funds for Alzheimer’s Association - Monday, August 09, 2010

Being able to remember what you’ve done, share memories and make new ones are wonderful gifts not to be taken for granted.

That’s why Charlotte Mather, her 28 teammates on Team Sunny Hill and others like them are raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk.

WILL COUNTY FURTHERS ITS GREEN MISSION - Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Today, Will County continued its commitment to "going green" as workers installed a green roof on the County Office Building, located at 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet. The green roof, which seeks to reduce energy costs and offer other environmental benefits, is the first of its kind in downtown Joliet.

As part of a $3.1 million grant from the United States Department of Energy through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, Will County was able to complete this project. The 5,920 square feet GreenGrid® roof contains sedum and other perennial plant life pre-planted in 2 by 4 foot trays. Approximately 740 of these modular sections will cover a large portion of the rooftop.

Workforce Services’ weekly Career Café aids job seekers - Thursday, July 01, 2010

The Workforce Services Division offers its free Career Café at 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday.

Career Café is a weekly networking event designed to connect people searching for jobs, said Susan Flessner, who runs the Will County division.

County group to sell rain barrels - Friday, June 25, 2010

Homeowners can help protect the area's water supply and save money by installing rain barrels near their homes and garages.

Will County's Stormwater Management Planning Committee is selling 55-gallon rain barrels for home use. The barrels were used to transport olives, pickles and relishes from Greece, South America and the Middle East before being refurbished by The Conservation Foundation in Naperville.

WILL COUNTY BEGINS RETROFIT PROJECT ON COUNTY BUILDINGS - Thursday, June 17, 2010

Will County is moving forward with the awarding of contracts for a wide range of energy efficiency retrofit projects on County buildings targeted at reducing energy costs and furthering conservation measures. These projects will make older County buildings more energy efficient and less costly to operate.

The County was award a $3.1 million grant from the United States Department of Energy that focuses on three main areas: a gas to energy plant that will be a future revenue source for the county, a variety of educational efforts that will focus on students of all ages, and an extensive schedule of retrofits for the County Office building, Sunny Hill nursing home, the Highway Department, and the Court Annex building.

Wilmington’s Octagon House County’s newest landmark property - Wednesday, June 02, 2010

To Gayle Schutten, the house she owns with family members is home. To the Will County Historic Preservation Commission, it is a landmark worthy of note.

2009 State of the County - Thursday, September 17, 2009

Good morning County Board Chairman Moustis, County Board members, elected officials and citizens of Will County. Today, as we assess the state of Will County and as I submit a balanced budget to the Board for your consideration, I believe it is appropriate to quote from one of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, when he said "Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom."

And so today, I am going to be very honest with each of you and the citizens of Will County. Thankfully, being honest includes many positive developments, despite the challenging economic conditions that have resulted in steep revenue declines for the County. I will discuss the budget in more detail later in this address.