Braidwood Journal

Plans for Braidwood Zoo property could be ready for council this summer

Published by admin on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 3:31pm

Plans to eventually develop the area that now holds the Braidwood Zoo are not yet completed. But Braidwood city administrator Tony Altiery said the city continues to work with a potential developer, hoping to bring something to the City Council regarding the site sometime this summer.

“We’re meeting with possible investors this week, and if that comes together then in the next month we’ll be looking to tie something up with that prospective purchasers,” Altiery said.

Braidwood Lions Summerfest Grand Marshals chosen

Published by admin on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 3:30pm

As July rolls in, the countdown is on for the 2022 Braidwood Lions Club Summerfest.

Organizers continue to put the final touches and details on this year’s festival, with the theme “A Tropical Extravaganza.” And, one crowd favorite now has its leaders.

On June 27, Lions Club Secretary and Summerfest Operations Coordinator Josh Bolatto announced the Grand Marshals for this year’s Hometown Proud Parade.

Commercial developments slow but steady in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 3:27pm

Development of commercial properties in the city of Braidwood have dominated much of the work of the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Board over the past year.

New developments in the works include a truck stop at I-55 and Reed Road, truck parking along Route 53, Ultimate Rides on Hickory Street, and the newly minted deal to bring D’Orazio Ford and Arnie Bauer Chevrolet to EZ Street.

On paper, the city shows a lot of new development. But, there’s little specifically to actually see just yet.

Braidwood Administrator explains parcel price for new dealerships

Published by admin on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 3:17pm

Two new car dealerships moving from Wilmington into Braidwood are expected to bring in millions of tax revenue to the city.

But the city’s deal to purchase the land where the dealerships will build their new sites had some questioning the expense.

During a special meeting on June 9, the City Council approved a redevelopment agreement with Bauer & D’Orazio, LLC to bring D’Orazio Ford and Arnie Bauer Chevrolet into the subdivision at EZ Street and
Division Street, which is located inside the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) III district.

Drug-Induced Homicide Foundation calls for action

Published by admin on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 3:13pm

When Kim Earling’s 22-year-old daughter Samantha Kile died of fentanyl poisoning in 2018, it was the start of a painful journey for Earling, who vowed to spend her life working toward change in both the judicial and the medical systems that she felt had failed her daughter.

Samantha was just a few weeks shy of her 23rd birthday and seven months pregnant with a boy she planned to name Jaxsen when she passed in their Braidwood home. Jaxsen did not survive.

Truck parking lot construction underway in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 3:11pm

Movement has begun on the construction of a 200-space truck parking lot at the Route 66 Business Park in Braidwood.

“They’re building the berm around it now, which is actually going to be really nice. That’s really their breaking ground is moving dirt. They have to move dirt until they get down to the elevation of the parking lot and then they’re good,” city administrator Tony Altiery said.

The City Council approved plans to consolidate the 12-lots that previously made of the site into a single lot back in April, clearing the way for the development of the parking lot.

Cannabis resort proposed to Braidwood City Council

Published by admin on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 3:04pm

Looking to capitalize on the legalized cannabis industry, a proposal has been made to the city of Braidwood, looking to build what is deemed as a “luxury cannabis resort.”

Representatives from ED3N, Inc. gave an hour long presentation to the members of the Braidwood City Council on June 14, laying out a concept plan to turn 242-acres of recreational land into the resort.

The company is currently eyeing the old Hidden Lakes property at the corner of Route 53 and Coal City Road.

Wietting is Braidwood's newest Commissioner

Published by admin on Tue, 06/14/2022 - 3:43pm

The City of Braidwood has a new commissioner.

During a special meeting held on June 9, local businessman Warren Wietting was sworn in to the recently vacant seat of Commissioner of Public Buildings and Property.

The seat was held over the past year by Ronald Cockream.

“Ron resigned and moved to Florida, so we need to fill his space,” Mayor Bob Jones explained.

Wietting is the third Public Buildings and Property Commissioner to take the oath during Jones’ tenure as mayor.

Will County reports 13 overdose deaths in one week

Published by admin on Tue, 06/14/2022 - 3:41pm

The Will County coroner has issued a public alert after 13 suspected drug overdose deaths in one week.

The deaths took place between June 6 and June 12.

Will County Coroner Laurie H. Summers indicated that majority of these overdose deaths have been due to cocaine mixed with fentanyl. Summer’s office issued an alert on June 8, urging family members and friends of those with substance abuse disorder to understand that street drugs containing lethal doses of fentanyl are the likely culprit.

BAHCC plans for drug prevention education

Published by admin on Tue, 06/14/2022 - 3:36pm

School may be out for summer. But, the Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition (BAHCC) is already hard at work on drug and alcohol prevention curriculum for students when the 2022-2023 school year kicks into gear in August.

Members of the BAHCC briefly discussed the ongoing plans for prevention education in Reed-Custer schools during their regular monthly meeting on June 13.

The coalition is planning to assist over the summer with the creation of curriculum that will align with the high school health class.