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LOCAL NEWS

By: Jessica Scroppo Assistant Editor

I-Cash Service Mobile Unit Comes to Shorewood

Troy Township is offering mobile driver services and an I-Cash service to residents. Troy Township is in partnership with State Representative Larry Walsh Jr. to offer these services in a mobile unit location on April 12.

Illinois residents can renew, duplicate or correct driver’s licenses and identification cards. REAL ID’s or driving tests will not be available at the mobile unit.

A Rules of the Road review course is scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Residents can register for the course by calling 815-744-1963. The mobile unit will be located at 25448 Seil Road in Shorewood from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 217-782-7044.

Photo courtesy of www.crunchbase.com

Workers Protest Outside Jefferson Street Planet Fitness

Photo courtesy of Jessica Scroppo The developing Planet Fitness construction on Jefferson Street is not using union labor. Protestors of Local 174 have been protesting outside of the old Kmart for over a week.

The inflatable rat, a symbol of unfair wages or working conditions, has been standing outside surrounded by protestors holding “Planet Fitness Unfair to Workers” signage. The dispute surrounds Planet Fitness hiring Stages Construction. Stages Construction offers less than standard pay and benefits to those working on the Joliet Planet Fitness facility.

A flyer from protestors states, “Hurting one hurts all. Don’t let quality area standard wages and benefits disappear in your community!”

According to the Joliet Patch, the construction of the Tony’s Fresh Market next door is using union labor.

Joliet Stepping Stones Receives Grant

New Joliet West District 204 Principal

The Joliet Stepping Stones location is receiving a $2,000,000 grant.

Congressman Bill Foster states that the grant will be used to build an eight-unit apartment building on its Joliet property on 1621 Theodore Street and 1620 Plainfield Road.

Each apartment will include two bedrooms and one bathroom fit into a 750 square foot space. According to the Joliet Patch, a housing manager and assistant housing manager will be living in the eighth apartment unit.

Stepping Stones is a recovery based housing unit for women and children in Joliet and the surrounding areas. They are nonprofit and provide clinical and recovery support for those with substance use disorders.

Photo courtesy of www.giftly.com

St. Mary Carmelite Catholic Church Construction

Photo courtesy of the Joliet Patch Construction is continuing at St. Mary Carmelite Catholic Church in Joliet.

The staircase leading up to the actual church was recently knocked down, causing some concern by residents. Gould Brothers Excavating and Demolition had previously stated that the church was not to be demolished.

The first of the demolition was the Fiat House next to the church. The Fiat House housed priests for decades and was built in the 1870s.

According to the Joliet Patch, the Gould Brothers Excavating and Demolition began the job in early February.

The demolition has continued for over a month. St. Mary Church has been vacant since 1991 and is no longer a viable parish.

Joliet West has officially named their new high school principal.

Tecara Parker is set to replace Teresa Gibson. Gibson has chosen to step down as a teacher from her principal position, taking a pay cut of more than $80,000 according to the Joliet Patch's reporting.

Parker began as dean of students for Joliet West in 2019 before her current position as director of pupil personnel services.

Joliet Township Superintendent Karla Guseman states, “Mrs. Parker has demonstrated her dedication to the students and families at Joliet West in her previous and current role within the district.”

Parker will begin at Joliet West District 204 as principal starting this summer beginning July 1.