Safety

Through Jan. 2, law enforcement agencies across Illinois are adopting a zero-tolerance policy for impaired driving to keep motorists safe.

The need for assistance has continued to rise in Will County since the COVID-19 pandemic. And that need is highest among families working one or more jobs.

Last year, the Red Cross responded to over 74,000 disasters across the nation, with 93% of them being fire-related. According to the Red Cross, home fire responses are 30% higher during cold months.

Public safety was prioritized in the Will County 2025 fiscal year budget, with public safety and judicial operations making up 62% of the county’s operating budget.

Here's a list of tips to keep shoppers’ personal information safe from online thieves.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is joining forces with the Illinois State Police to crack down on unsafe driving this Thanksgiving with their “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaigns from Friday, Nov. 22, through Monday, Dec. 2.

The first snowfall of the season in the forecast for this week. Illinois Department of Transportation offers these winter driving tips, including don't follow snow plows too closely.

The Joliet fire and police departments hosted their second Active Threat and Mental Wellness conference for first responders to discuss the issues of responding to violence and combating mental health issues in the community and their own ranks.

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 3. The American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks back to make sure the devices are working.

The village of Plainfield recently dedication its new Emergency Management Agency building as the John J. Konopek Jr. Plainfield Emergency Management Agency Center, a 15,000-square-foot facility located at 14805 S. Wood Farm Road.

The city of Joliet will be working with the state of Illinois on an engineering study for a potential grade separation project at the Laraway Road and Union Pacific Railroad grade crossing.

The “Safety Matters” statewide picket included members from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, who are demanding the Illinois Department of Corrections address statewide staffing shortages, offender substance abuse and worker safety.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is urging motorists to commit to sober driving, buckling up and following traffic laws this Halloween, as children and their families walk through neighborhoods after dark for candy and spooky fun.

After a sobering report on the condition of Sterling Fire Department’s apparatus, many have asked: “How did we get here?” To answer those questions, we need to go back a few years, writes Shaw Local reporter Brandon Clark.

The City Council on Tuesday voted 9-0 to build the Cunningham Neighborhood Park conceived as a means to move sex offenders out of a nearby apartment house.

Lockport Township High School District 205 Superintendent Dr. Robert McBride appeared on ABC's Our Chicago this weekend to discuss recent school security hoaxes.

A 17-year-old student from Lockport has been charged after the FBI detected a threat made against Providence Catholic High School on Snapchat on Wednesday.

Fire chief says that of the department's 3 fire engines, 2 are not reliable and the third is aging quickly due to overuse to make up for the other two. The department has one fire truck, which has an aerial ladder. That truck has been out of service for 10 months, chief says.

Paying for the asbestos problems that have kept Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet closed for nearly two months will be next major hurdle after the venue plans to reopen in October.

Two high schools in Lockport were placed on lockdown Friday as police investigated a threat that was deemed unfounded.

The Rialto Square Theatre plans to reopen Oct. 22 after a prolonged closure connected to an asbestos removal project. “We’re as confident as we can be at this point,” said Rialto Executive Director Wade Welsh.

Plans by the Lockport Township Fire Protection District to construct a multi-purpose training facility in Crest Hill advanced Sept. 9, and will move to a final hearing before the Planning Commission.

Farmers encourage impatient drivers to consider the size of the equipment and the importance of slowing down when approaching during harvest season.

The Channahon Fire Protection District were assisting with a chemical incident involving a rail car at Americans Styrenics on Thursday. The situation was deemed not an immediate safety threat to the public, the fire district said.

A 12-year-old boy is the latest youth to be arrested and charged for his involvement in posting social media threats to Joliet schools, police said Tuesday night.

Certified technicians will provide attendees with child car and booster seat installation. Technicians also will inspect installed car seats.

Joliet police say no credible threats found, but others may be involved after making two arrests in connection with social media threats made to Joliet schools.

Joliet Township High School District 204 sent a notice to families and refreshed students on safety protocols Monday following two days of non-credible social media threats to its schools.

Plainfield police say there is "no credible evidence to support" the threat made regarding Plainfield Central but there will be extra security at the campus Tuesday morning.

A social media post caused increased police presence at Sycamore schools on Monday but officials said no direct threat was made, and rumors of one are unsubstantiated

The source of a social media threat that was circulated Sunday stating students will be bringing weapons into both Joliet high schools has been identified and deemed not credible, according to a statement by Joliet Township High School District 204.

Due to a threat that is circulating about students bringing weapons to several schools in Joliet this week all Joliet District 86 schools will go to e-learning

The Illinois Department of Transportation grant will be used to develop a comprehensive plan for Manhattan aimed at improving pedestrian safety and reducing traffic congestion.

Joliet West High School was on a “secure and hold” protocol for more than three hours Friday afternoon in reaction to rumors of a weapon on the campus. No weapon was found after a search by Joliet police.

A Joliet man faces 2 weapons charges following an investigation into shots fired Thurday at The Birches apartments on the city's west side

All but one corner of the Rialto Square Theatre building will remain closed for at least most of next week as an inspection continues into an asbestos violation.

The entire Rialto Square Theatre building in Joliet is closed because of an extended investigation into an asbestos violation in July. The board for the Will County Metropolitan Exhibition and Auditorium Authority will meet Wednesday.

The Illinois Tollway mobilizes special hot weather patrols whenever temperatures or heat indexes indicate conditions could be hazardous for drivers stopped along the road

Heat index values between 105 and 115 degrees are expected throughout Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

With the heat index topping more than 105 degrees early this week, follow these tips from the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association on caring for pets during excessive heat.

The Joliet City Council on Tuesday will vote on 15% pay raise for crossing guards.

Troy Township will host an AARP Smart Driver Safety Course for seniors on Monday, Sept. 9 and Tuesday, Sept. 10 in Shorewood.

Morris Police Officer Mike Bober will offer tips to help keep seniors safe from phone and internet scams, according to a news release from the Morris Hospital.

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to consider helping to fund a training center for the Rock Falls and Sterling fire departments to the tune of $825,000 when it returns to session next month.

Trooy Township Supervisor Joseph Baltz announced that Troy Township is hosting an AARP Smart Driver Safety Course for Troy Township residents.

Downtown Joliet was the site for local and Illinois police as well as state department of transportation officials to promote a traffic safety campaign along the famed roadway on Tuesday.

The Kendall County Public Safety Center next month will be renamed the Richard A. Randall Public Safety Center in honor of the former Kendall County sheriff.

Joliet's fire chief urged caution with using portable generators during power outages. A household of 12 people in the city had been hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning.

After failing to pass in 2022, Whiteside County voters will be asked to consider a public safety tax again in November to fund 911 emergency dispatch call center services.

The Family Services Foundation of New Lenox Township donated $5,000 to the district, which helped to purchase 30 new lock boxes for residents.