Normally, such an event might draw 500 to 700 cars over the course of six or seven hours, with wait times of five to 20 minutes maximum. Saturday, they saw at least 1,500 vehicles and maybe as many as 2,000, she said. Numbers are still preliminary, but she said she knows they collected more than 90,000 pounds of electronics when they might normally get 40,000 and filled four semis with hazardous household chemicals when they might ordinarily fill two. Read More

Will County Executive Larry Walsh joined Joliet Mayor Tom Giarrante and others to recognize Denny’s for earning LEED certification on Monday, making it one of a few dozen eateries worldwide to be so recognized. According to the United States Green Building Council the restaurant at 2531 Plainfield Road is the first restaurant in Will County to earn the certification. A LEED, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, certification recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. Read More

Joliet Junior College was awarded a $296,243 rebate from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for the energy efficient designs of both the Health Professions Center and the Natural Sciences expansion. Besides many sustainable features both buildings had, the rebate was awarded because projects exceeded the Illinois Energy Conservation Code. The money will be reinvested into future energy conservation projects. Read More