Public Feedback Sought Following Joliet’s Comprehensive Plan Kickoff Workshop

Public Feedback Sought Following Joliet's Comprehensive Plan Kickoff WorkshopPost Date:09/25/2025 2:27 PM Immediate Release: Contact: September 25, 2025 Jayne Bernhard, Planning Director, [email protected], (815) 724-4052 Public Feedback Sought Following Joliet's Comprehensive Plan Kickoff Workshop Joliet, IL - The City of Joliet hosted the first public workshop for the Comprehensive Plan on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Joliet West High School cafeteria from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. An estimated 120 residents attended the in-person workshop, but city officials are encouraging even more public input as the process continues. "Attendance for the first workshop was great and the feedback provided was invaluable," said Planning Director Jayne Bernhard. "We want to encourage those who could not attend to share their thoughts and input before the October 10 deadline." The workshop was designed to capture personal experiences of living and working in Joliet, as well as residents' visions for the city's future. Attendees toured five stations where they were asked to provide feedback on: Getting Around Joliet Living in Joliet Working in Joliet Having Fun in Joliet What I Like About Joliet Feedback from the workshop will help shape the next phase of the Comprehensive Plan. For those unable to attend, workshop presentation materials are available at https://www.joliet.gov/comprehensiveplan. Public comment will be accepted through October 10, 2025, and may be submitted via email to [email protected]. The Comprehensive Plan will provide a framework for how Joliet can respond to current challenges, adapt to future needs, and pursue inclusive growth, sustainable development, and equitable prosperity over the next decade. It will address key areas such as economic development, transportation, housing and neighborhoods, natural resources, and infrastructure, while offering policy guidance to support the city's long-term goals. The planning process is expected to take approximately 18 months and will include robust engagement with residents-from youth to seniors, long-time residents to newcomers, and across all cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Final adoption of the plan is anticipated in late 2026 or early 2027. For more information on the Comprehensive Plan project, including opportunities for community input and access to interim reports, visit https://www.joliet.gov/comprehensiveplan. # # # About the City of Joliet The City of Joliet is located in Will and Kendall counties in the State of Illinois, 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County. At the 2020 census, the city was the third largest in Illinois, with a population of 150,362. For more information about the city, visit https://www.joliet.gov. Media Contact: Rosemaria DiBenedetto, Media Engagement and Communications Director, Cell: 847-269-5556 or email: [email protected]. Photos Courtesy of Gary Middendorf. Return to full list >>