ExpandBolingbrook's Daniel Kaduthodil (Rob Oesterle)
BOLINGBROOK – With a full arsenal of weapons to choose from, Bolingbrook setter Daniel Kaduthodil is one of the happiest volleyball players around
Kaduthodil distributed 17 assists Thursday night as the Raiders made quick work of Valley View School District and Southwest Prairie Conference rival Romeoville 25-18, 25-13 in front of the 15th-ranked Lewis University men’s volleyball team, which made the short trip to watch the two rivals play.
The win moves the Raiders to 21-5 overall and 5-0 in the conference as they continue to take aim at the school-record 27 wins set by last season’s team.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Kaduthodil said about the team’s strong season. “Coming off of club season and into school, our whole drive has been to beat the record of last year’s team.
“It’s great for me as a setter with guys like Trevor Wardlow, Edison Ah-Yo, Tavares Campbell, Yashua Beals, pretty much everybody. All I have to do is get it in the air somewhere near the net and someone is going to put it down. We started a little slow in the second set, but we know we are a good team and we just stuck with it.”
Using the energy from the excitement of seeing the Lewis men’s team, Bolingbrook got off to a quick start. Wardlow delivered three aces in a nine-point serving run to help build an 11-2 lead. The lead stretched to 19-9 before Romeoville (4-18, 1-4 SPC) picked up four straight points, getting a kill by Cameron Anderson and two aces by Jack Johnson to make it 19-13, but the Spartans got no closer.
The second set was a different story early on. Romeoville jumped out to a 10-6 lead, getting a kill each from Johnson and Cei’Montay Hopkins and a block by Easton Neely.
Bolingbrook, however, had the answer, and the answer’s name was Trevor Wardlow. Wardlow, who finished with 11 kills, had five of them in an 8-0 spurt that put the Raiders ahead 14-10. After a Bolingbrook hitting error made it 14-11, the Raiders went on a 6-0 run to move the lead to 20-11, getting a kill from Wardlow, two aces by Kaduthodil and blocks by Campbell, Wardlow, Dylan Barrera and Ah-Yo, who also had six kills.
“With the Lewis team here, we kind of lost our focus in the second set for a while,” Bolingbrook coach Molly DeSerf said. “We had to reel that in and focus on what we are trying to do, and that’s win a conference championship.
“We’ve had our ups and downs this season, but the key is to be consistent and play the whole way through the match. We want to limit the runs that the other team has. It has been a battle, but these guys know when to go and they find ways to get it done.”
Romeoville got three kills from Hopkins and two kills and a block from Neely, two of the three sophomores on the Spartans’ roster.
“We had a nice stretch where we stuck right with them,” Romeoville coach Debra Fehrenbacher said. “A lot of teams think they can just slough us off, but our guys give everything they have every day. I can’t ask for more than that.
“We are a young team. We have three sophomores on the team. One of them played JV last year, one played freshman level, and one played baseball. Easton Neely was on the baseball diamond last spring, but he has been a true asset to the program, just like everyone else on the team.”
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
IL — Romeoville Police officers were called Friday night to Scene 75
for an "incident [that] was similar to other recent events," at the business
Police were called for "a disturbance and physical altercation," the Village said
These incidents at the business generally involve arguments between patrons that escalate into physical altercations
nor any evidence of weapons being involved
the Romeoville Police Department has been in contact with management to establish additional security measures and police patrols to prevent similar incidents in the future
"We take these matters seriously and are actively working to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone," the Village said
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ExpandPlainfield Central's Cole Sisti (16) is tagged out at the plate during baseball game between Romeoville at Plainfield Central Tuesday
PLAINFIELD – There was a moment in Tuesday’s baseball game where it looked like Romeoville’s finely crafted eight-run lead might be in jeopardy
things might have broken down for the Spartans
But this year’s version of the Spartans is built a bit differently. Instead of folding after a rough inning, they tacked on a pair of insurance runs to fend off Plainfield Central for an 11-7 victory.
“We were talking earlier that nothing is given to us,” Romeoville coach Michael Skroch said. “We have to earn everything. We feel like we have a little bit of a chip on our shoulder, us being Romeoville, and not having a history of winning baseball.
“We have to go earn it and earn that respect and that definitely carried over to the end of this game.”
Romeoville (12-9, 4-1 SPC East) hasn’t posted a winning season in at least 20 years but the Spartans seem to have the components in place to make a real run at doing that this season.
“It’s experience,” Skroch said of his team’s notable turnaround. “Karlos Otero and Nolan Holgado are four-year starters. These guys have been here, and they’ve been battle tested.”
The Spartans showed that mettle early. After scratching out a run without the benefit of a hit in the first inning, Romeoville tacked on three more runs in the third to take what looked to be a commanding 4-0 lead.
That lead looked substantial because of the work done by Romeoville starter Ryan Uscila. Uscila struck out six over four-plus innings of work before getting touched up for a solo home run by Plainfield Central’s JT Augustyniak.
But Romeoville didn’t let the homer snowball into something worse as the bullpen left the bases loaded.
Then they carried that momentum into the top of the sixth, where the Spartans tacked on four more runs, including what turned out to be a pivotal bases-clearing double from Richard Conley to give Romeoville a 9-1 lead. It was part of a three-hit, four-RBI day for Conley.
That looked like it would be more than enough for the Spartans, but things came a bit unglued for Romeoville in the bottom half of the sixth. A collection of hits, walks and errors allowed Plainfield Central (18-4, 4-1) to send 10 men to the plate and score six runs to narrow the margin to 9-7.
“It was a little bit worrying, but I know our guys, and I know how we can clutch up in these types of moments,” Conley said. “We never really hang our heads down, and we are always looking to add on.”
Romeoville did just that in the seventh with Conley playing a part again with an infield single that scored a run and a bases-loaded walk accounting for the other.
And that persistence and ability to answer back is something the Spartans still are getting used to.
“We’re fighting a little bit that it is new,” Skroch said. “It is new that we’re in spots that we’re supposed to win.
“And we are in spots that we haven’t said this before, but possibly winning a conference championship is more of a reality than it has ever been if we play our game. So we have to learn to handle that pressure, and so we are really focusing on one game at a time.”
2025 at 1:30 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Events include craft shows
IL — The Village of Romeoville has shared its 2025 events calendar
with over 30 events planned throughout the year
Here's a look at the Village's event calendar
More details will be released closer to event dates; take a look at what to expect in 2025
ExpandThe Romeoville Village Board has approved a development agreement that will see a new hotel built at the southwest corner of the intersection of Weber Road and Normantown Road intersection
(Photo provided by the village of Romeoville)
The Romeoville Village Board has approved a development agreement for a new 100-room hotel
according to a news release from the village of Romeoville
will be located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Weber Road and Normantown Road intersection and could open by early 2027
The new hotel will be constructed to the south of QuikTrip
The site also has two outlots available for restaurants
“We have seen the demand for hotel rooms increase dramatically since our Athletic & Event Center started hosting large scale tournaments and expos,” Mayor John Noak said in the release
will go a long way to meeting those needs and ensure Romeoville remains a destination for these types of events.”
We welcome news about business developments in our communities. We appreciate hearing about local business comings and goings, new hours, expansions, and milestones in the Joliet area. If you have a tip to share for Eyes on Enterprise, email news@theherald-news.com.
ExpandIllinois State Police are stepping up seat belt
Illinois State Police is hosting three Team Illinois Youth Police Camps this summer, and one will be in Romeoville.
The northern Illinois camp will be held at Lewis University from June 22 to 28.
Each weeklong overnight camp is geared for teenagers ages 13 to 17 and focuses on providing personal development opportunities “to challenge young people to reach their full potential,” Illinois State Police said in a news release about the program.
The camps are based on a military model and attendees, or cadets, learn military drills and participate in physical fitness exercises, according to Illinois State Police.
Cadets also attend classroom instruction on leadership development, substance abuse resistance, team-building principles and other life-enhancing skills, according to Illinois State Police.
The program looks to “promote positive rapport and interactions between law enforcement and attendees,” according to the release.
The entrance of Lewis University campus in Romeoville, as seen March 30, 2025. (Photo by Judy Harvey)
Other local enforcement agencies, as well as local civic organizations, have partnered with Illinois State Police for these camps.
“This camp offers a supportive environment where young people can engage in constructive activities, mentorship, teamwork and be steered away from negative influences and toward brighter futures,” according to the release.
To apply for the youth camp at Lewis University, contact Illinois State Police Trooper Duane Chappell at 620‑417‑5892 or duane.chappell@illinois.gov.
Mercedes-Benz of Romeoville will celebrates its opening with a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m
just in front of The Bluffs apartment complex
enjoy food and drinks while touring “the state-of-the-art facility that has all the luxury amenities
and service associated with the Mercedes-Benz brand,” the village of Romeoville said in a news release
“Having such a world famous luxury brand here in Romeoville is tremendously exciting,” Mayor John Noak said in the release
“They have already been a wonderful community partner and we look forward to working with them for many
general manager for Mercedes-Benz of Romeoville
praised the village staff and mayor as being “wonderful to work with.”
represents a $13 million investment into the community and was constructed by ICI
2025 at 3:52 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Romeoville Fire Department and the MABAS Division 15 Fire Investigation Team
IL — A house fire was reported at 1:07 p.m
according to a release from the Village of Romeoville
The Romeoville Fire Department was called to the home due to a structure fire
and fire crews arrived to find "heavy smoke and fire conditions," the Village said
but damage to the home was severe enough that the residents will be displaced
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Romeoville Fire Department and the MABAS Division 15 Fire Investigation Team
Hudson Avenue from Rogers to Hillcrest remains closed Thursday until the conclusion of the investigation
JB Pritzker speaks at the Ovation Center in Romeoville as part of the Standing Up For Illinois tour on Thursday
Romeoville — Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton continued their “Standing Up for Illinois” statewide tour Thursday with a stop in Romeoville alongside U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood and advocates from Will County senior and disability organizations.
Speaking at the Ovation senior community center operated by Senior Services of Will County, Pritzker and Stratton leveled sharp criticism of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency for proposed cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
“It’s irresponsible, it’s cruel and it’s chaotic,” Pritzker said. “Social Security is built on our shared responsibility to protect one another, to care for the generations that came before us, as well as the generations that will come after us. ”
Musk has called Social Security, a program created in 1935 in reaction to the Great Depression, “the greatest Ponzi scheme of all time.”
The Trump administration announced plans on March 13 to eliminate the ability for the Social Security Administration to handle claims by phone, requiring recipients to do business online or make in-person appointments at field offices when they need assistance with claims.
Simultaneously, DOGE also has announced plans to shutter offices and lay off SSA employees as what Musk calls a cost-cutting measure.
Critics of the plan have pointed out that requiring in-person meetings to handle claims and verify recipients' identities will overload an already strapped system and place an extra burden on elderly and disabled individuals, who make up the majority of Social Security recipients.
Gov. JB Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton, U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, Will County Seniors CEO Brianne Hetman, Illinois Department on Aging Director Mary Killough, AgeGuide CEO Marla Kronczak, and Disability Resource Center independent living advocate Riley Spreadbury gather for a photo at the Ovation Center on the Standing Up For Illinois tour Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jessie Molloy)
“What Elon and President Trump are trying to disguise as operational changes will directly affect the way seniors, people with disabilities and others in our communities access their most basic needs,” Stratton said.
Trump and Musk are breaking a “sacred promise” with the American people that “your hard work will be rewarded with dignity and respect when you retire and if you become disabled,” Pritzker said.
“They’re gutting the Social Security Administration, firing staff and closing offices across the nation. I’d call it idiotic if I didn’t suspect that this was actually part of a plan to throw people off of Social Security,” he said.
People can expect longer wait times for assistance with their benefits, improper denials of claims and delayed or missed benefit checks, he said.
The governor said more than 2 million Illinois residents rely on Social Security, and 3 million use Medicaid.
“If they cut what I think they will cut, which is the Medicaid expansion that was implemented under the Affordable Care Act, that’s about $7.5 billion annually,” Pritzker said when asked how the state’s plans to combat potential cuts.
Our No. 1 priority now is to fight to keep these programs from going away, because they are easier to defend than to get back.”
The state could work to boost funding for free clinics, but some critical access hospitals in the inner city and rural areas would be forced to close, he said.
“We would provide as much money as we can, but what we have is not enough,” Pritzker said. “I am deeply concerned. This is devastating. If we don’t speak up now, people will die.”
Pritzker said that this problem would only be exacerbated if plans to eliminate the Department of Education and its funding to the states were implemented, something Trump was expected to do Thursday after the governor finished speaking.
On top of the $7.5 billion the state receives in Medicaid funding, an additional $3.5 billion comes in each year to fund school programs, including initiatives to support low-income students and special education.
“Education should be one of our top priorities,” Pritzker said. “But we can’t replace that funding, especially on top of the $7 billion to $8 billion we’d need to make up in Medicaid. We’ll be in dire straits.”
Pritzker called on the public to speak out against the cuts and actions being taken by the Trump administration by protesting and by calling and writing to members of Congress.
“We can’t control what the federal government does,” he said of the state government. “We can only react. Our No. 1 priority now is to fight to keep these programs from going away, because they are easier to defend than to get back.”
Underwood, D-Naperville, said that if the Democrats in the House of Representatives stand united against Republican initiatives, it would not take many GOP defectors to halt the bills' progress due to the small margin the majority has in the chamber.
“We only need three,” she said, before pointing out there are three Republican representatives from Illinois, at least three Republican representatives from districts that voted for Kamala Harris in November, and three upcoming Republican vacancies in the House.
U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood speaks at the Standing Up for Illinois tour at the Ovation Center in Romeoville on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jessie Molloy)
“I’m not telling you which three to pick, which three Republicans to reach out to, but the key is to channel our advocacy right now in a way that will protect our values and protect these vital services and programs that our families are counting on,” she said.
“Standing up for Social Security is not just right – it’s in our own best interest, and this fight is for all of our futures,” Stratton said.
Thursday’s appearance in Romeoville was the second stop of Pritzker’s Standing Up for Illinois tour, aimed at highlighting the impact that the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts could have on Illinois residents.
IL — Five Below will open its newest store in Romeoville on Friday
The first 100 customers to visit the store on Friday will receive a free drawstring bag
Five Below sells items at discount prices including: candy and snacks
the new Five Below offers a Party Shop featuring a large variety of helium balloons
Romeoville (Photo provided by Will County Sheriff's Office)
A Romeoville man has been arrested on a charge of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and he will remain in jail under the SAFE-T Act
was taken to the Will County jail following an investigation by the Romeoville Police Department
Romeoville Deputy Police Chief Chris Burne said officers responded to a report of a sexual assault
conducted an investigation and developed probable cause for Cruz’s arrest
Cruz’s booking photo at the jail shows a severe bruise on one of his eyes
Burne said Cruz was treated at a hospital for “injuries sustained prior to our arrival,” Burne said
Cruz was “treated and released from the hospital” before he was taken to jail
Cruz’s attorneys requested he receive pretrial release because he works as a dump truck driver
he’s the sole provider of his family and he has an alternate residence in Chicago
Cruz’s attorneys said he could stay confined to his home and leave only for work purposes
They also recommended electronic monitoring
Will County Judge Derek Ewanic found there were no conditions that could mitigate Cruz’s danger to the alleged victim in the case.
Ewanic said Cruz was also a flight risk as a detective on the case testified to learning Cruz allegedly attempted to obtain a fraudulent passport using a fictitious name in 1998.
early voting starts in just over two weeks on March 17
and residents can already request a ballot to vote by mail
Romeoville voters will vote on several races
Here are some races that will appear on the ballot:
(If you are a candidate in the upcoming April 1 election
please email andrea.earnest@patch.com for a candidate questionnaire to share your positions with readers)
Romeoville-area voters who want to cast their ballots early
If you don't want to travel outside of Romeoville
The Romeoville Village Hall site serves local residents only
Hours for early voting at Village Hall will be:
You can apply directly with the Will County Clerk's Office for your vote by mail ballot request. The first day to request your vote by mail ballot was Jan
and Will County residents have until March 27 to request a vote by mail ballot
The first day that the vote by mail ballots will be mailed is March 17
If you are already in line to vote when the polls close
If you don't know your polling place, find it here.
ExpandThe Lockport Fire Township Fire Protection District crews at the scene of house fire in the 1600 Block of Sunflower Court in Romeoville on Friday
(Photo provided by Lockport Township Fire Protection District)
A Romeoville home was left uninhabitable after a fire broke out at the residence Friday night
The Lockport Township Fire Protection District responded at approximately 7:53 p.m
to a structure fire in the 1600 block of Sunflower Court
according to a release from the fire district
When crews arrived they found fire on the exterior that had spread inside of a two-story
Residents who were home at the time were able to safely exit the house uninjured
Crews were able to get the fire quickly under control but there was “significant damage” leaving the home uninhabitable
The fire was upgraded to a full-still resulting in a mutual aid response from the Romeoville Fire Department and the Plainfield Fire Protection District, according to the release.
Lockport fire investigators are reviewing the fire but the cause appears to be accidental, according to the release.
IL — The new Five Below location at Weber and Airport roads in Romeoville will open on Feb
games and toys; and most things are priced $1 to $5
Other stores near Romeoville include locations in Bolingbrook and Joliet
Five Below will occupy over 10,000 square feet in the shopping center at the northeast corner of Weber and Airport
The shopping center is fully leased with both Five Below
2025 at 12:01 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A fire started in a garage on Zinnia Drive in Romeoville Thursday evening
(Lockport Township Fire Protection District)ROMEOVILLE
IL — A garage fire was reported on Zinnia Drive in Romeoville on Thursday evening
according to the Lockport Township Fire Protection District
and found a fire in the garage of a two-story home
The fire district said crews were able to get the fire under control quickly
The residents were home at the time of the fire and were able to get out safely
The occupants are unable to stay in the home due to the utilities being shut off
which brought in mutual aid assistance from Homer,East Joliet and Plainfield Fire Departments to assist with covering the rest of the fire district
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Lockport and Romeoville Fire Investigators
2025 at 11:50 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}There are several local races in the April 1 election
IL — The consolidated election on April 1 is about six weeks away
and early voting is set to begin even sooner at the Romeoville Village Hall
The first day of early voting will be March 17 at the Village Hall
The early voting site serves local residents only
according to the Will County Clerk's Office
There are several local races in the April 1 election
surrendering after taking hostages at Fifth Third Bank on May 10
Walker died after he was shot by Will County Sheriff's Lt
A Will County sheriff’s lieutenant who is being sued over claims that he wrongfully killed a hostage taker in 2022 at a Romeoville bank will face no charges over the incident
according to a court filing from Peter Wilkes
chief of the criminal division at Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow’s Office
Glasgow would decide whether they were justified
the decision was left to a special grand jury
Officers at the scene of a hostage situation on May 10
The reasoning behind grand jury’s decision was not immediately clear on Monday
Wilkes has not yet responded to a message with questions from The Herald-News
A motion from Wilkes on Monday described the jurors hearing from 27 witnesses and considering more than 100 exhibits
The jurors even heard testimony from a professor of physiology
Tomczak said Allen voluntarily testified before the grand jury for six to seven hours
answered every question and Allen has cooperated with the investigation from the beginning
Allen is one of more remorseful clients I ever represented in my years,” Tomczak said
Tomczak said he doesn’t “believe there’s any winners in this case whatsoever.”
That’s all he could tell anybody,” Tomczak said
the investigation of Walker’s shooting has lasted the longest out of at least 18 cases involving a police shooting since 2019 in Will County
The shooting also represents yet another case where an officer in Will County will face no charges in connection with a fatal shooting
The shooting took place on May 10, 2022, at the entrance of Fifth Third Bank in Romeoville
A video released by the Illinois State Police on Monday shows events leading up to the shooting
[Warning: Content my be disturbing to viewers]
SWAT members with Will County Sheriff's Office storm the vestibule of Fifth Third Bank on May 10
was fatally shot by Will County Sheriff's Lt
The video shows Walker placing what looks like a revolver on one of the chairs used to barricade the entrance of the bank
The video shows Walker opening a door into the vestibule that leads to the entrance of the bank
He walks into the vestibule and places his hands on his head while kneeling
walks to the entrance and opens the door as seen on the video
the video shows Walker is struck by a bullet and he topples over as the glass door shatters into pieces
The video shows Walker writhes in pain on the ground as SWAT members storm the vestibule
A few of them provide Walker medical assistance
according to Will County Deputy Chief Dan Jungles
Jungles said the sheriff’s office “requested those documents to begin our internal investigation” to Glasgow’s office but they were told they would not receive them “until there’s a ruling on the case.”
Nash-Milton’s lawsuit claimed Allen knew Walker was following “law enforcement commands” and was unarmed when he agreed to exit the bank
a special grand jury in Will County heard evidence presented by prosecutors
to “disclose certain matters regarding a grand jury investigation.”
“retained” firearm experts from the “private sector,” the FBI and a “retained professor of physiology,” Wilkes’ motion said
They were “all flown in from various parts” of the U.S.
More than 100 exhibits were also “presented and considered by the grand jury,” the motion said
Other evidence included four expert reports
rifle data book entries “of the sniper assigned to the rifle used in the shooting,” and certifications of completion “regarding the sniper’s weapons training,” Wilkes motion said
the grand jury examined evidence and exhibits presented to them
The grand jury was also provided a “legal memorandum” prepared by prosecutors discussing the role of the grand jury
the role of prosecutors and the legal definition of recklessness
The grand jury was provided the Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions for the offense of involuntary manslaughter
“Prosecutors were summoned back to speak to the grand jurors
It was at this time [Glasgow’s office] was advised by the grand jury the actions of the sniper involved in the shooting of Gregory Walker were negligent as the gun was discharged,” Wilkes’ motion said
A short break was taken to “discuss the findings” of the grand jury
prosecutors presented a “written memorandum” regarding how Allen will face no charges in the incident
In 2022, The Herald-News interviewed Sandra Mendoza, one of the hostages at the bank.
Mendoza said she heard three gunshots and a man later identified as Walker yelled at those inside the building to bring out chairs so he could barricade the door.
Mendoza said the patrons and bank employees were crying and some were “getting hysterical.”
She said Walker directed the hostages to call law enforcement to respond to the bank. Mendoza said she was one of the individuals who tried to call police. She said she thought it would be better to comply with Walker’s demands.
“We did not know what his intentions were,” Mendoza said in 2022. “Obviously, we thought it was a robbery.”
Mendoza said Walker eventually became calmer and tried to reassure the hostages that he was not there to hurt them.
Mendoza showed The Herald-News a video that showed Walker stepped away from the phone near the building entrance, holding his weapon, and walked toward a nearby counter.
“You’re going to be alright ma’am. Stop crying, OK?” the video shows him saying. “You have my word. You will walk out of here. I promise you.”
Mendoza said Walker described difficult events in his life, including the passing of his mother. She said Walker explicitly said he wished to die that day.
IL — Residents took to social media on Monday to ask about smoke that could be spotted in the sky around 11 a.m
The answer: a scheduled prescribed burn at O'Hara Woods
The large smoke plume could be spotted from a couple miles away
causing concern of a fire at the nearby refinery
Village Administrator Dawn Caldwell confirmed to Patch on Monday that it was a prescribed burn at the nature preserve
2024 at 3:31 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The last day to file petitions for the April election was Nov
and candidates file with the Village of Romeoville for Village races
IL — The consolidated election on April 1 will feature several local races
including the race for several positions on the Romeoville Village Board
The last day to file petitions for the April election was Nov
Romeoville residents will vote on the Mayor
three open Village Trustee positions and the Village Clerk on the April ballot
The Village told Patch that there have not been any objections filed against the candidates
the Romeoville Village Board approved an agreement for the construction of a new skate park
Director of Parks and Recreation Kelly Rajzer said schematic design for the skate park was approved back in December 2023
the Board waived the bidding process and approved a $625,000 agreement for the construction of the park with Spohn Ranch Skateparks
"The agreement covers the construction and redevelopment of a new skate park to replace the existing facility [Pipeline Skatepark]
which has reached the end of its useful life," Rajzer said
Spohn Ranch originally designed the Pipeline Skatepark in 2004 for the Village
Rajzer said the new skate park will feature an underlying geoform foundation along with reinforced pour and finish concrete
The current skate park has steel copings and wood skate boards
"The new concrete footing will provide greater durability and longevity," Rajzer said
The Lockport Township Park District contributed $50,000 in 2024 and will contribute another $50,000 this year for the co-operative project
The project should be completed by the end of this summer
2025 at 9:31 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The cause of the fire appears to be accidental but is being investigated by the Lockport Fire Investigators
IL — A house fire on Friday night has left a Romeoville home uninhabitable
according to a release from the Lockport Township Fire Protection District
The fire district said it responded to a reported structure fire in a two-story single-family home on Sunflower Court at 7:53 p.m
Crews were able to get the fire under control quickly
The fire appears to have started on the exterior of the home
extending into the home and causing significant damage and rendering the home uninhabitable
The residents were home at the time of the incident and were able to safely exit uninjured
The fire was upgraded to a "full still" which brought in mutual aid assistance from Romeoville and Plainfield Fire Departments to the scene
Troy and Romeoville Fire Departments assisted with covering the rest of the fire district
The cause of the fire appears to be accidental but is being investigated by the Lockport Fire Investigators
but early voting gets under way in Illinois on Sept
26 — and residents can already request a ballot to vote by mail
The hottest race on the ballot is the presidential election
pitting Vice President Kamala Harris against former President Donald J
If you’re not registered, you have until Oct. 8 to register by mail and Oct. 20 to register to vote online
You can also register in person on Election Day
To register by mail, download and print the Illinois Voter Registration Application and send the completed form to your county clerk or Board of Election commissioner
you can do so at driver’s license facilities
you can register to vote at the DuPage Township Office
Call ahead to ensure that a registrar is available at the locations
and at least one must show your current address
Romeoville-area voters who want to cast their ballots early
early voting begins at the Village of Romeoville
Illinois voters can already file an application to vote by mail, and you can find vote by mail applications on the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
the Illinois Election Authority must receive it by Oct
You can also request a mail-in ballot online on your county clerk’s website
If you’ve already requested your mail-in ballot
you should receive it around the time early voting starts
it must be completed and postmarked by Election Day — Nov
If you don't know your polling place, find it here.
will be opening a space inside the Romeoville Kohl's this month
Sephora will be opening a 2,000-square-foot space
the business is adding Sephora to more than 100 stores across 39 states this year
"The addition of these shop locations completes the Sephora at Kohl's rollout into more than 1,100 stores," the news release states
2025 at 10:28 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The White Oak Library District operates libraries in Romeoville
IL — The White Oak Library District's referendum is projected to pass
Voters in the library's boundaries were once again asked about an increase to the library's tax limiting rate
The latest referendum has a difference of just 103 votes
The White Oak Library District operates libraries in Romeoville
Note that election results below are unofficial
The Will County Clerk's Office certifies election results on April 22
The question on the ballot read: "Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the White Oak Library District
be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.0286% above the limiting rate for levy year 2023 and be equal to 0.208% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2025
(1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $4,689,455
and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $5,437,050
the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $9.53
the aggregate extension for the 2025 levy year will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition
rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law)
the library currently has a limiting rate of 17.94 cents per $100 of assessed value
The library is asking the public to approve an increase to 20.8 cents per $100 of assessed value
a home’s property tax bill will be increased by $9.53 per $100,000 of the home’s market value," the Library said on its website
Average homes in the Library District would see an increase of about $20 per year
The Library has asked several times since 2016 to increase its operational funding
"The need for improved library services is very real
and because this referendum has never passed before
the need still exists," Library Director Scott Pointon previously told Patch
Pointon said the referendum came very close to passing in 2019
and feels that momentum would have led to a successful referendum in 2020
but "circumstances out of our control prevented us from that attempt in 2020."
"The Board and I feel that we are far enough past 2020 that we can pick this back up and give it another go," Pointon said
increase services for seniors and young children
Pointon said the demographics of the library are very unique
and about 1 in 5 of its residents are senior citizens
but we do need to meet that demand head-on by bolstering the services we provide to seniors
without damaging the services that we provide for everyone else," Pointon said
ExpandWing Snob offers wings in a variety of dipping sauces
(Image provided by the village of Romeoville)
Wing Snob, a national wing restaurant chain, will be opening in Romeoville this summer
The restaurant will be located on Weber Road and is expected to open by mid-July
the village of Romeoville announced on Thursday
Pledging that their wings are “always fresh and never frozen,” Wing Snob offers wings in a variety of dipping sauces
and loaded French fries with a number of “dynamic sauce and topping combinations,” according to the news release from the village
“We are excited to see that Wing Snob’s move into the Chicago market includes Romeoville,” Mayor John Noak said in the release
“We are happy to have another food offering for our residents and are ready to welcome another new business to our community.”
Buildout is anticipated to start May 1 and the business will soon begin hiring
or to apply for a position at the Romeoville store
one of the largest national commercial real estate providers in North America
has negotiated a 18,013-square-foot lease renewal at 1109 Windham Parkway in Romeoville
Principal at Lee & Associates’ Illinois office
an industry-leading manufacturer of cleaning and maintenance products
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ExpandCenterPoint Properties developed this 976,954-square-foot distribution center in Joliet
The building has been leased to RJW Logistics Group
CenterPoint Properties has leased an almost 1 million-square-foot warehouse in Joliet
Romeoville-based RJW Logistics Group will operate out of the warehouse at 2903 Schweitzer Road, CenterPoint said in a news release.
The building is 976,954 square feet. It is adjacent to the Houbolt Road Extension toll bridge that CenterPoint built in 2023 to ease traffic flow from its CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Joliet to Interstates 80 and 55.
The RJW Logistics Group building was built in 2023.
“We were confident in the functionality, location and aesthetics of this building,” Brian McKiernan, CenterPoint’s senior vice president of development for the central region, said in the release.
It is the fourth speculative building of about 1 million square feet in size that CenterPoint has leased in the CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Joliet over the past three years, the Oak Brook-based company said.
Others are a 990,294-square-foot building at 3301 N. Brandon Road, a 990,294-square-foot building at 3351 Brandon Road, and a 1.04 million-square-foot building at 4300 N. Brandon Road.
ExpandThe Joliet West girls basketball team after beating Romeoville Thursday
In the end, the host Tigers came out on top.
Joliet West was up 14 points after one quarter and down one at halftime. The third quarter was a seesaw battle, but the Spartans ran out of steam late while the Tigers kept on going en route to a 70-54 Southwest Prairie Conference victory.
It was senior night for Joliet West (5-21, 3-8 SPC) with seniors Khiana Tyler, Samantha Casanova and Makayla Chism being honored before the game.
“It’s a mix of emotions right now,” Chism said. “It’s bittersweet because a lot of the girls have played for a while. I’m sad I’m leaving, but getting to play with them one last time, and getting a W on the home court for our last home game was big.”
The seniors put on quite the show early on, dominating the Spartans to the tune of a 22-8 lead after one quarter.
That lead grew to 29-14 early in the second when Kazaria Smith of Romeoville caught fire. She was a girl on a mission as the Spartans scored 16 consecutive points as part of a 19-2 run to close the quarter, with both West points coming on free throws. After trailing by 15, the Spartans held a 33-31 edge at halftime.
The third quarter saw nine ties or lead changes before the Tigers closed the third on an 8-2 run. That gave Joliet West a 52-47 advantage entering the final period of play.
The fourth quarter saw the Spartans cut the Joliet West lead to four points early, but a Chism 3-pointer made it 56-48 midway through the quarter. Her layup to make it a 10-point game with three minutes to go wound up being the dagger to salvage the win.
“There were a lot of emotions,” Joliet West coach Breanna Blackmon said. “I told them ... in the second half to seal the deal, and our seniors stepped up and did that. Shoutout to Makayla Chism, our veteran senior who came out and dropped 23 [points] tonight. It was her night. Khiana Tyler and Samantha Casanova showed up tonight in a way that made this senior night very memorable.”
In addition to Chism’s 23 piece, Casanova put up 11, the same amount Gabrielle Gavin had. Tyler was second with 13 points. In their final home game, all three seniors reached double figures in scoring.
Enough can’t be said about the performance of Smith for Romeoville (7-20, 3-11). When the Spartans were down big early, she willed them back, scoring 15 of the 19 points in the 19-2 run that gave them the halftime lead. She finished the night with 42 points, 14 in the third to keep the Spartans in it.
“My coaches and teammates just trusted me with the ball,” Smith said. “They helped me on offense and on defense with getting rebounds. Everyone’s contributing.”
Julissa Olague added seven points for Romeoville on a night when coach Devon Friend was out with an illness. Assistant Antonio Brooks stepped into the head coach’s seat for the night and commended the team’s effort.
“I’m telling the girls it’s all about the process,” Brooks said. “We can’t win them all, but we want to put forth our best effort every single play. We’ve just been focusing on competing and effort, so that’s been our theme for the past few games. The girls fought a good fight to the end, we just came up a bit short.”
ExpandRomeoville has announced it will renew its Monarch Pledge in 2025
vowing to help protect the iconic butterflies and other pollinators vital to Illinois’s flowers and plants
(Photo provided by the Village of Romeoville)
Romeoville has announced that it will renew its monarch pledge this year
residents were encouraged to plant monarch gardens and worked with village staff to maintain mowing and milkweed/native nectar plant-planting programs
A contractor was hired to maintain the ecological health of about 15 public ponds
The upcoming Monarch Grove senior living and apartment development that will begin construction this year at 135th Street and Weber Road will feature all native plants and five butterfly gardens
A two-day plant sale was held at Isle a la Cache on 135th Street
pollinator gardens were planted at Lake Strini
and city landscaping was updated to include more native plants
the village will continue supporting plant sales and pollinator gardens
and add a new invasive species removal program to reestablish native habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators
For more information, visit monarchwatch.org.
2025 at 1:32 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Kick off the season with the June Jamboree in Romeoville
IL — The end of the school year and the start of summer is just over a month away
and you can kick off the season with the June Jamboree in Romeoville
ExpandRomeoville will be hosting the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Aug.21-24
The village of Romeoville will be hosting the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall this summer
A welcome parade will escort the wall into town on the morning of Aug
and then it will be assembled in the football field parking lot between Village Hall and the Romeoville Recreation Center on West Romeo Road
The public will be welcome to view the wall starting at 1 p.m
with viewing hours daily between dawn and dusk
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is 6 feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet from end to end
It is a three-fifths scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington
Village staff initially began planning for the wall visit in July 2023
it is especially moving for me that Romeoville will be hosting the wall,” Mayor John Noak said in the release
“I encourage everyone to come view this display and to honor those who served in Vietnam and perished or remain missing.”
More details on the wall and accompanying festivities will be available at romeoville.org as August approaches
Learn more about the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall at www.travelingwall.us.
2024 at 2:17 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Alberto Rolon
were shot and killed in their Romeoville home in September 2023
IL — A year after a Romeoville family of four and their three dogs were slain in their home
Romeoville Police have released case reports and documents that shed new light into the motive for the crime — and who was responsible for planning it
The family had just purchased their home on Concord Avenue in the village's Hampton Park subdivision five months before they were slain
police said they believed the suspect in the killings
had planned the murders with his girlfriend
New information released last week details how police say Palomo masterminded the killings
and fooled Huey into thinking the slayings were ordered by a criminal organization by impersonating members of the group
was quickly identified as the suspect in the case
and police said Palomo was a person of interest
after a digital license plate reader got an alert for the suspect vehicle
Oklahoma Police said the car continued on Interstate 44 in Catoosa
and their vehicle struck a concrete barrier and came to a stop
Officers then heard two noises, believed to be gunshots, and found a woman with a gunshot wound, now identified as Palomo, who was taken to a hospital in critical condition. A man in the driver's seat, now identified as Huey, was found dead with a gunshot wound. Palomo died a day later at the hospital.
Last December, Romeoville Police released an update on the case, saying that Huey and victim Zoraida Bartolomei
This relationship was known both to Bartolomei's husband
police say Palomo was "insecure in the relationship" with Huey and knew he was involved with other women
nearly two years before the quadruple murders in Romeoville
Palomo created multiple online personas she used to communicate with Nathaniel
Her messages were intended to convince Huey that he was part of a Mexican and Bulgarian criminal organization
Palomo took on the persona of several different characters
generating different phone numbers for each character to fool Huey
The characters would frequently reference her relationship with Huey
and she would encourage Huey to be faithful to her
Palomo also sent many text messages to Zoraida and Alberto
and threatened their children on multiple occasions
Huey was eventually convinced that he was under constant surveillance and that the leaders of the criminal organization questioned his loyalty
Police do not believe that Huey knew that Palomo was really behind the various "characters."
Palomo referenced a "mole" who was planning to attack Huey
she told him that the "mole" was Zoraida Bartolomei
including researching the home she lived in
avoid touching any bullets and leave his phone at his own home
sent text messages to Huey giving him detailed instructions to murder "anyone and everyone" in the Romeoville home
The case report concludes that Huey and Palomo "are solely responsible for the murders" and declares "case closed."
La Colonia recently opened at 634 S. Weber Road in Romeoville
According to the La Colonia Grill Facebook page
“every meal is an experience and every sip is a masterpiece...that blends rich colonial charm with the warmth of Mexican hospitality.”
La Colonia features handcrafted cocktails curated by a mixologist
along with an extensive menu that also includes a breakfast and a children’s menu
For more information – including hours of operation and the menu – visit lacoloniagrill.com
2025 at 12:04 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}According to the Village
the 11-week series of classes are held each spring for residents ages 16 and up who want to learn more about these agencies
Fire Department and Emergency Management Agency will come together to teach the Public Safety Academy
According to the Village, the 11-week series of classes are held each spring for residents ages 16 and up who want to learn more about these agencies. Each class is held on a Thursday evening (6 - 8:30 p.m.) from April 10 to June 19. To apply, click here.
The Village said the police portion of the classes instructs attendees on various law enforcement topics including: Traffic enforcement
The Fire Department will bring students through fire extinguisher training
and use of a variety of tools and equipment
The Emergency Management Agency will cover traffic control
weather spotting and other management tactics when emergencies strike
and students will work with fire hoses and climb ladders
and fire off TASERs and fire extinguishers
IL — Most state and federal offices in Romeoville will be closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr
a federal holiday honoring the slain civil rights leader
FedEx will have modified services on MLK Day
and Logistics divisions will be open as usual
but limited locations and its Express Critical service will be available
Banks will be closed and both the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ will have the day off
Valley View School District schools will also be closed
Waste pick-up services will continue as normal
The White Oak Library District - Romeoville Branch will also be open on Monday
restaurants and many other businesses are open as usual
MLK Day falls on the same day as Inauguration Day
President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will be sworn in on the Capitol grounds
which will result in the closures of the Washington Monument and Old Post Office Tower for security purposes
Other iconic memorials along the National Mall are open
Memorial at the intersection of Independence Avenue and West Basin Drive SW
King is the only non-president to have a national holiday named in his honor
He also is the only non-president with a memorial on the National Mall in Washington
Day is the only federal holiday designated as a day of service
once said the greatest birthday her husband could receive “is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated the holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others.”
the National Park Service waives admission at national parks on MLK Day
and several have volunteer service projects honoring King’s legacy
The Forest Preserve District of Will County will offer two trail clean-up opportunities on Jan. 19 and Jan. 20 for MLK Day of Service. One will be held at the Rock Run Preserve - Black Road Access in Joliet; and the other at the Joliet Junction Trail in Rockdale
Cleanup activities will be held from 9:30 a.m
The theme of the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr
Day observance is “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom
Justice and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence.” Events focus on the legacy and unfinished work of King
housing and civil rights legislation in the 1960s
King led efforts to desegregate the South through non-violent protest
including the “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial during the 1963 March on Washington
It took 32 years for the federal government to finally approve a federal holiday celebrating King’s birthday
King was the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize
He was awarded the prize in 1964 for his work to combat racial inequality through nonviolence
he reiterated the importance of nonviolent protests and called attention to poverty
“I am still convinced that nonviolence is both the most practically sound and morally excellent way to grapple with the age-old problem of racial injustice,” he said
“A second evil which plagues the modern world is that of poverty
prehensile tentacles in lands and villages all over the world
Almost two-thirds of the peoples of the world go to bed hungry at night.”
grandson and great-grandson of Baptist ministers
the pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta
had visited Germany in 1934 and was inspired by the teachings of Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther
and began calling himself and later his son Martin Luther
King was jailed 29 times and assaulted four times
Though his message resonated strongly among many
King was often targeted by police officers who saw his call for racial equality as a threat to American society
He frequently found himself in jail for practicing civil disobedience
where he wrote the "Letter From a Birmingham Jail" that became a key civil rights document
intensifying their wiretaps and surveillance operations after the August 1963 March on Washington
where King delivered his “I Have a Dream speech,” regarded by many historians as the most important speech in the 20th century
gave 2,500 speeches and published five books and numerous articles
when he was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference formed to assist the civil rights movement
King traveled across the nation spreading the teachings of nonviolent resistance that had been inspired by Gandhi
as he stood on a balcony outside his second-floor room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis
2024 at 4:05 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security
the state unemployment rate was 6.1 in June
IL — 300 jobs at two Romeoville-based companies were part of layoffs in July
Freight and logistics company, Geodis, in Romeoville, announced 204 layoffs. According to FreightWaves, the company is closing facilities in Texas, Georgia and New York, as well as cutting 204 distribution center jobs in Illinois
96 jobs were cut at Neovia Logistics Services
More than 1,100 jobs were cut across Illinois last month, with nearly 300 layoffs alone at Moline-based John Deere. The job cuts at the farm equipment manufacturer have prompted backlash, including criticism from the United Autoworkers (UAW), who blasted the company for "corporate greed" after the layoffs followed a $43 million stock buyback
According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security
The national unemployment rate was 4.3 in June
IL — A Romeoville man has been charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim younger than 13 after a report to Romeoville Police on Monday
Romeoville officers responded to a residence at 1:10 a.m
"Officers on scene conducted an investigation and probable cause was developed," police told Patch
"Romeoville officers accompanied Hector to the hospital where he was treated for injuries sustained prior to our arrival," police said
Cruz was treated and released from the hospital
and taken to the Will County Adult Detention Facility
and remains in custody at Will County Adult Detention Facility
2025 at 12:04 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Village will also hold its annual Bunny Bash
IL — The cold outside may not have you thinking about spring
but the Village of Romeoville already has several spring egg hunts in the works
The first egg hunt event will be for the dogs; the Hoppy Hound Egg Hunt is planned for April 6 at the Wiggly Field Dog Park at 400 W
and furry friends can sniff out treat-filled eggs hidden throughout the park
The Village will also hold its annual Bunny Bash
You must register by March 30 for this event; it is $19 per resident child (ages 1-12); $5 per resident infant and $4 per resident adult
Next up will be the Aqua Egg Hunt at the Romeoville Aquatic Center
Pre-registration is required for this event
it is $13 for resident participants and $8 for resident adults
ExpandThe Village of Romeoville is working with the U.S
Fish & Wildlife Service and Army Corps of Engineers on a native restoration project along Illinois Route 53
As part of a restoration project required by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Army Corps of Engineers, Heidelberg Materials is in the process of enhancing its existing berm along Illinois Route 53 in Romeoville.
This project requires the removal of low-quality brush and invasive trees, according to a news release from the village.
The berm, planted with native trees and reseeded with native vegetation, will further expand the habitat for the federally endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly as well as protect and enhance local biodiversity and contribute to the overall IL Route 53 Corridor beautification, according to the village.
The berm work will be in addition to the 535 acres of protected native land Heidelberg Materials has set aside for the Hine’s emerald dragonfly and the state‐listed Blanding’s and spotted turtles.
Hine’s emerald dragonfly (Photo provided by Mary Kay Rubey and Illinois Department of Natural Resources)
Additionally, the old Taylor Road schoolhouse will be removed due to its extreme deterioration and to allow for further native plant restoration, according to the village.
The building’s demolition will allow for “an uninterrupted run” of native plants and animals to inhabit the eastern edge of IL Route 53. “The schoolhouse, which is on private property and does not meet any state or federal historical designations, is in significant disrepair,” according to the release from the village.
“Due to many renovations done to the building over the years, from conversion to a two-story home to remodeling for office space, it no longer holds any historical value,” Nancy Hackett, president of the Romeoville Area Historical Society, said in the release.
Part of the building will live on, however, as Heidelberg Materials has given the Historical Society the “1 North Independence Blvd.” address sign that hangs above the front door.
IL — Planning for large community events starts months or even years in advance
and the Village of Romeoville's RomeoFest is no different
the Board approved a contract with All Around Amusement
for the amusements and carnival at RomeoFest for 2025
"All Around Amusement has been providing our carnival ride and midway games for over 30 years," Director of Parks and Recreation Kelly Rajzer said at the meeting
MegaPasses will be priced at $60 during pre-sale and $65 during the festival
The Village receives 35 percent of MegaPass sales
Daily wristbands will be $35 and be valid for a 5-7 hour time frame
"The agreement provides the inclusion of three new acquired rides that have not been previously at the festival," Rajzer said
Mayor John Noak credited the Village for the price of the MegaPass and keeping it steady