Judge denies motion to delay NorthPoint hearing

A Will County judge on Monday denied an order sought to delay a 5:30 p.m. public hearing on the NorthPoint project.

Opponents of the NorthPoint project went to court to try to block the Joliet City Council hearing on the project.

Will County Circuit Judge John Anderson did not grant the temporary restraining order that would have delayed the hearing and potential vote until a time when the public could attend the hearing.

"We believe this meeting tonight is not being done in the spirit of the Open Meetings Act or the governor's order," said Roberto Clack with Warehouse Workers for Justice, a group that has opposed the plan.

The public hearing and possible vote afterwards is being held under special conditions enforced under Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-order. The public is not allowed to attend but can comment by phone at the meeting if they are registered. They also were able to send email comments by Sunday.

NorthPoint Development wants the city to approve a pre-annexation agreement for 1,260 acres that would be used for the controversial Compass Business Park.

Joliet has pushed back the public hearing twice since it was first scheduled for March 17. The council last week continued the hearing to the meeting today when it will be the only item on the agenda.