FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2021
CONTACT: John W. Kieken, 708-302-5332
Joliet Violates Neighbors
Last night at Joliet City Hall, we witnessed a developer get preferential treatment by being allowed to sit at a special table right next to the elected City Council members and City staff. At 4,000 acres and more than 40 million square feet, NorthPoint is by far one of the largest industrial developments in Will County, and will have many devastating impacts on neighboring villages, townships, and communities. After a mere 5-minute presentation by the developer, NorthPoint’s attorney addressed the issue of no traffic and environmental impact studies as exposed by Stop NorthPoint over recent weeks.
“… so it [traffic study] is not something where the city is ever going to read it and say we can or can’t do it…”
Once again, only days before Christmas and in the midst of a pandemic, after hours of testimony and comments in opposition to the project and no deliberations, Joliet City Council voted 6-2 in favor while completely disregarding the objections of the Villages of Elwood and Manhattan, Jackson and Manhattan Townships, and every single interested party and member of the public.
Expected to bring over 50,000 cars and 15,000 trucks per day along with noise, pollution, and destruction to taxpayer-funded infrastructure and the environment, and yet no impact studies have ever been considered by this public body. Not one traffic or environmental impact study was ever part of the city’s considerations. Furthermore, there has been no cooperation whatsoever with any affected neighboring government.
We have been violated.
For a city to come down and forcefully take a large percentage of a neighboring community that does not want them is a violation by any definition. The citizens of the Elwood/Manhattan community have an absolute right to determine the fate and future of their own quality of life. Joliet has taken that away from every single one of us. I cannot think of anything that is more UN-American than this.
This violation only strengthens our resolve to fight and we will continue to stand up against municipal bullying.
For Questions and Comments: john.kieken@gmail.com
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