INSIDE
SPORTS JCA defeats Notre Dame PAGE 11
NEWS Walsh breaks deadlock on county tax levy PAGE 5
Our Community, Our News
www.jolietbugle.com
OCTOBER 23, 2013
Vol. 6 No. 8
Hock appointed city manager to replace thanas
Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Policy Committee votes 11-8 in favor of Illiana Tollway
STORY BY NICK REIHER & ALEX HERNANDEZ | MANAGING EDITOR & STAFF REPORTER
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regional planning committee voted 11-8 to include the Illiana Tollway project on a regional list of transportation projects eligible for federal funding.
The Oct. 17 vote by the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Policy Committee means the project, a 47-mile path from Interstate 55 near Wilmington in Will County to Interstate 65 in Porter County, Ind., could break ground as early as 2015.
“I applaud the members (of the planning committee) for making the Illiana a priority,” said Gov. Pat Quinn in a statement after the vote. “This regional highway will not only serve the largest and See PUSH, page 3
PhoTo bY nICk rEIhEr/MAnAgIng EdITor
State and local officials look on as Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider speaks to a couple hundred interested attendees at a rally for the Illiana Tollway project Wednesday morning at the Local 150 Training Center in Wilmington.
City council unanimously approved Hock and his employment agreement By Clare Walters For the Bugle
Jim Hock officially has been named as the next city manager for Joliet, replacing Tom Thanas. The city council on Oct. 15 unanimously approved Hock’s appointment and his employment agreement. Word that Hock, the community development director for Carpentersville, was selected for the position had been swirling around town for the last two weeks, as city officials narrowed the finalists and began negotiating a contract. In brief remarks to his appointment, Hock said he’s looking forward to working with each council member personally. “Thank you for your unanimous support and confidence in my abilities to See HOCK, page 2