Braidwood Journal

Chief warns of mounting risks for Braidwood Fire District

Published by admin on Tue, 05/05/2026 - 4:25pm

The Braidwood Fire Protection District (BFPD) pushed deeper into its “Planning for a Safer Future” initiative this week, but the tone of the third community workshop made one thing clear: The district is confronting a convergence of challenges that can no longer be deferred.
Residents gathered April 29 for an in-depth look at the district’s operations, where Fire Chief Chris Jude laid out the realities facing local fire and emergency medical services.

A big weekend for Route 66 towns

Published by admin on Tue, 04/28/2026 - 3:42pm

With the Route 66 Centennial drawing national and international attention, communities along the Red Carpet Corridor are preparing for one of the busiest tourism weekends in recent memory.
From Joliet to Bloomington-Normal, towns are organizing vendor markets, entertainment, historic displays, and family-friendly activities designed to welcome travelers celebrating the Mother Road’s 100th birthday.
The festival began in 2007, and was created to promote tourism and economic development in the roughly 100-mile stretch between Joliet and Bloomington-Normal.

Local solar projects are back now that County Board can no longer reject them

Published by admin on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 4:20pm

Though Gov. JB Pritzker put a stop to local governments’ power to reject solar and wind projects in 2023, there was a modicum of hope they could be opposed at the county level.
At the behest of residents who didn’t want the glare, hum, and risks, the Will County Board turned down six proposed solar facilities.
Then the tables turned. Board members were rendered toothless as the state government and multibillion dollar limited liability corporations told them how it would be. Either pass the special use permits for solar plants or suffer the consequences.

Will County leaders are told to accept solar projects

Published by admin on Tue, 04/14/2026 - 3:43pm

Certain Will County leaders and a boatload of residents are concerned about solar energy plants being given priority over the decision making by local municipalities.
At the center of the controversy are multiple solar farm proposals—some spanning thousands of acres—that have drawn both support and opposition.
The largest, known as the “Pride of the Prairie” project, would cover more than 6,000 acres in Will County across several townships, making it one of the largest solar developments in Illinois.

Helping homeless vets––one cookie at a time

Published by admin on Tue, 04/07/2026 - 3:48pm

Girl Scout Bristol Sjostrom, age 14, has turned cookie season into something much better than even Thin Mints and Samoas. The Gardner resident is turning her hard work into hope for veterans and hometown heroes.
Friday, April 3 blew in with ominous news. Mother Nature threatened intense thunderstorms. The odds of golf ball-sized hail didn’t stop Sjostrom and her mother Marie Sjostrom, from hawking cookies at Petro gas station in Wilmington. She’s determined to reach her goal of selling 15,000 boxes of cookies. If it means risking life and limb, so be it.

Trump proposes renaming IL water towers “Trump Towers”

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2026 - 12:53pm

In what officials are calling a “bold rebranding of American infrastructure,” President Trump reportedly will unveil a proposal April 1 to place his name on water towers across the United States.
Dubbed the “Make Water Great Again Initiative,” the plan would see thousands of municipal water towers repainted in gold lettering and officially renamed “Trump Towers,” regardless of their current height, shape, or proximity to actual skyscrapers.

Easter Egg Hunt Saturday in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2026 - 3:20pm

The Braidwood Park District’s Annual Children’s Easter egg hunt in the Old Smokey City Park will take place on Saturday, March 28 starting promptly at 1 p.m. with the youngest age group. Age groups are as follows:
• 1-3 years (Tee-Ball Field) Parents/Guardians may walk with their children as the children pick up eggs.
• 4-6 years (north boys baseball field) If necessary, one parent or guardian may walk with the child as the children pick up the eggs.

Costumes, Courage and Cold Water

Published by admin on Tue, 03/17/2026 - 4:24pm

With cheers from the shoreline and laughter echoing across the lake, hundreds of brave participants plunged into 39-degree water Saturday during the 5th annual Polar Plunge at the Braidwood Recreation Club.
The event drew about 700 participants, all willing to trade warm jackets for swimsuits, costumes and a quick shock of icy water to support Special Olympics Illinois. By the end of the day, the plunge raised more than $200,000 — a record total for the Braidwood event.

A record number of prom dresses for Melissa's Closet and Crystal's Jewelry Box

Published by admin on Tue, 03/10/2026 - 1:33pm

Hundreds of teens left the Godley Park District gymnasium Saturday with smiles, sparkling gowns and a reminder that kindness can carry on a legacy.
A record 4,000 prom dresses were available during the 12th annual Melissa’s Closet and Crystal’s Jewelry Box, with dresses sold for just $5 each. More than 600 dresses were purchased as excited teens browsed racks of formal gowns and short dresses, with many walking out with multiple outfits for upcoming dances.

Mounting costs, staffing gaps among topics at Braidwood Fire Protection District

Published by admin on Tue, 02/24/2026 - 4:39pm

As financial pressures intensify and operational demands grow, a newly formed community advisory committee is taking a comprehensive look at the future of the Braidwood Fire Protection District.
Approximately 30 residents attended the committee’s first public workshop last Thursday, launching a series of discussions focused on rising equipment costs, staffing shortages and infrastructure concerns.
Three additional workshops are scheduled as the committee works toward formal recommendations for the district’s board.