Throughout 2025, the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry brought its mission to life through a robust lineup of events, programs, and initiatives.

Students can participate in internships at local businesses such as Pace Bus, Silver Cross Hospital, the Joliet Public Library, YMCA, and more. The application deadline is Feb. 20, 2026.

Here's a look at our top stories for Will County in 2025

The Joliet Chapter bestows its Gold Star Award to people making impactful contributions in the community.

Books range from bestsellers, lesser known titles and books by independent authors, alongside "bookish gifts."

The Kankakee Regional Land Bank has filled its vacant board of directors seat.

This week's announcement of Mattel, Inc., joining Bradley's development of an indoor waterpark in the area of Interstate 57 and Northfield Square mall has the region thinking of its impact.

Oswego village trustees unanimously approved a financial incentive agreement of up to $1.5 million with the owners of the shopping center that would be paid over a maximum of 15 years.

The planned indoor waterpark in Bradley has a commitment from Mattel, a nationally recognized producer of youth- and family-based toys, games and movies.

A historic and longtime-vacant downtown Rochelle building will be seeing redevelopment over the next year.

The DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation will host its annual breakfast Dec. 2 for the community to learn more about regional economic trends. Event highlights include a chat with NIU, Kishwaukee and Waubonsee college presidents.

The village owns about 15 acres of land on the north side of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks, west of Orchard Road. At the Nov. 18 Oswego Village Board meeting, village trustees approved a new contract with Creekside Farms, LLC.

The bakery will open inside the Walmart at 420 N. Weber Road in Romeoville.

Whether it will be built on a site under construction on U.S. Route 34 and Kendall Point Drive is not entirely clear. In February, village trustees unanimously approved plans for a 12,500-square-foot grocery store.

The "acting" tag on the promotion of Angela Morrey at president and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County has been removed.

The Dixon City Council has approved a special use status for one of the new businesses the city plans to add to its growing commercial development site near Interstate 88.

Real estate investment and brokerage firm Wyn Group reports it closed on the building and property for about $7.9 million.

A Shell facility with a Dunkin’ and convenience store is now open, one year after it was initially planned.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority and Economic Growth Corporation on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, celebrated the grand opening of Shimer Square, marking a major milestone in the multi-phase redevelopment of the historic Shimer College campus.

Community Kauffee will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Oswego Public Library, 32 W. Jefferson St., downtown Oswego. Arrive a little early at 8:30 a.m. for coffee, pastries.

Just weeks ago, the Dixon Family YMCA faced the threat of closing both its facilities. But thanks to nearly $200,000 raised in emergency funding and swift action by community leaders, the YMCA has stabilized operations and is laying the groundwork for a long-term comeback.

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees voted 6-1 to move forward with acquisition of 20 acres of land in Morris for a new campus to meet the needs of a growing population and strong job market. 

Sterling’s Riverfront Commission met Oct. 16, 2025, to discuss updates – and anticipated delays – to Sterling’s $300 million multiphase Riverfront Reimagined project.

During a Riverfront Commission meeting Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, Ron Clewer of developer Gorman & Co. said discussions on JCB Investments’ proposed entertainment complex at 201 Locust St. are on hold until spring 2026 because of high interest rates and other financial challenges.

The Lockport Committee of the Whole gave initial approval to a plan to purchase half of the 1035 S. State St. property for use as public parking on Wednesday.

The owner of the Aspen Ridge Golf Course is seeking a repeal of the just-implemented 5% entertainment tax in Bradley.

The Sterling City Council unanimously OK'd an ordinance Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, that will map a portion of the city as a River Edge Redevelopment Zone, an action that could provide up to $50 million in tax incentives for economic development along the city's riverfront.

Business owners and landlord’s in Joliet’s Special Service Area are invited to have coffee with Emmanuel Lopez, the new executive director for the Joliet City Center Partnership.

The village of Romeoville is considering a plan to construct a new commercial space at Weber Road and Normantown Road including two new restaurants.

Angela Morrey was recently appointed acting president/CEO of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, filling the vacancy left by Tim Nugent's resignation.

City officials said the site is already part of Oregon's riverfront district.

The workshop is 5-7:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 at Joliet West High School.

It’s likely about to become more expensive to build data centers in Yorkville. With large increases in building and planning fees coming before city approval, Yorkville is seeking to pull in millions of dollars more per data center campus.

Democratic candidates vying for outgoing U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat say tariffs under U.S. President Donald Trump has hurt small businesses and farmers.

The Center for Economic Development lines up Will County employers with local high school students for summer internships.

A near 30-acre parcel near the Caledonia subdivision in Yorkville is becoming the latest tug-of-war between data center developers and city officials. Green Door Capital is asking the city to green light rezoning three parcels for their 130-acre “Meyer” data center.

The Dixon City Council approved an agreement with an Illinois contractor Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, to complete the demolition of five city-owned properties that officials plan to redevelop.

A Ricky Rockets Fuel Center is coming, and the new Hollywood Casino Joliet is in business. But it's not clear what else is coming to Rock Run Collection.

On Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, a public informational meeting was held on the ongoing Steward-Caron Roads Industrial Corridor study.

Federal funding is down, County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant said as she reported on county initiatives and a proposed budget.

The Ogle County Economic Development Corporation recently hired longtime resident Liz Hiemstra as its new director.

Another hurdle has to be cleared before the Kankakee Regional Land Bank Authority can put the Jaffe Drugs building back on the market

The Grundy Economic Development Council shared an economic snapshot with the Grundy County Board on Tuesday, discussing the county's 8.1% growth from 2010 to 2024, making it the sixth fastest growing county in Illinois.

Tyler Tarlton, Lou Pignatelli Sr., and Lou Pignatelli Jr. of Tarlton & Pignatelli LLC plan to construct multiple duplex-style townhomes, with one cluster planned for the 200 block of West Seventh Street and Avenue B, and another set at Lynn Boulevard and 16th Avenue.

$185 million casino opens in Joliet, marking first move for what originally was the Empress Casino since it opened in 1992.

Almost 20 people have graduated from a pre-apprenticeship program in Will County that prepares them for union trade apprenticeships and construction project opportunities.

The massive road construction project at Armour Road and Illinois Route 50 is officially finished as state and local officials celebrated its conclusion at a Tuesday event at CSL Behring.

Plans are moving forward for a private training and group fitness facility to open in a portion of an industrial building along South Harrison Street in downtown Oswego.

Hollywood Casino opened its new Joliet location in the Rock Run development at Interstates 55 and 80 in Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. People were waiting in line for the doors to open.

The village of Romeoville says one new business will open this fall while the other is expected to be serving customers in 2026.