Joliet Township Government’s LeShae Hudson to Receive 2024 Empowered Person Empowerment Award

JOLIET, IL – Dec. 9, 2024. Joliet Township Government is proud to announce that LeShae Hudson, MHS, Violence Prevention Council Coordinator (VPCC), will receive the 2024 Empowered Person Empowerment Award at the Community Stakeholders Holiday Breakfast. The event, hosted by Empowered People Church and the Empowerment Center, will take place on December 12, 2024, at the Empowerment Center in Park Forest. This celebration honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the Southland community. The Empowerment Center provides vital services to strengthen the community, offering resources related to violence prevention, mental health, youth development, and more. 

LeShae is recognized for her exceptional efforts in building partnerships with the Greater Illinois Violence Prevention organizations. As VPCC for Joliet Township, she has led initiatives like the Racial Equity Impact Assessment League (REIAL), Municipality Tours, and Reimagine Village. 

In addition to this upcoming recognition, LeShae was awarded the Collaborative Excellence in Prevention Award by Prevention First in September 2024. This award acknowledged her leadership and efforts to foster collaboration across organizations working to reduce gun violence and improve community health. 

In response to the January 2024 Romeo Nance incident, LeShae mobilized the coalition to provide critical services and created the Emergency Response Protocol, which helps organizations work together during gun violence incidents. LeShae also coordinates Municipality Tours, where Illinois communities share best practices in violence prevention, and through Reimagine Village, she meets with fellow VPCCs to collaborate across municipalities. 

“An honor should never be received as ‘I’, but always as ‘US’ and ‘WE’!” said LeShae. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work of the many partners who are committed to making our communities safer and more resilient. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made through collaboration and look forward to continuing our efforts to prevent gun violence across Illinois.” 

The 2024 Empowered Person Empowerment Award recognizes LeShae’s leadership in creating lasting partnerships to reduce gun violence and improve community safety. 

For more information about Joliet Township Government’s efforts, visit Joliet Township CVI Council. 

Democratic Caucus Results 2024: A message from Supervisor Alicia Morales

JOLIET, IL – Dec. 3, 2024. Following the results of the Democratic Caucus, the current Joliet Township Government Supervisor, Clerk, and Trustees will not be continuing on the Democratic slate for the upcoming April election. The current Highway Commissioner and Assessor will remain in their positions on the new Democratic slate.

This upcoming election gives voters the opportunity to choose between the new Democratic slate and the Republican slate. The final decision will be made by voters in April.

We are proud of the progress we’ve made in this administration, introducing and expanding initiatives that are making a real difference. Some of these key programs include:

  • Transportation Program: Providing rides for seniors and residents with disabilities, in partnership with local agencies.
  • Free Auto Repair: Helping low-income families with essential vehicle repairs.
  • Free Income Tax Filing: For individuals earning under $65,000.
  • Free Notary Services: Available in both English and Spanish.
  • Building Acquisitions: Two newly renovated buildings in high-need areas.
  • Behavioral Health Services: Offering mental health support for youth ages 6-24.
  • Community Violence Intervention Programs: Recognized with a state award and represented at the White House.

We would like to thank those who have made our progress possible, including our dedicated team, partners and collaborators, and community members whose support and efforts have been vital in bringing these initiatives to life.

We are hopeful for the future and for the new administration to continue to build on these efforts. We are open to supporting a smooth transition, working together to ensure stability and growth for the community.

JOLIET, IL- 3 de diciembre de 2024 – Según los resultados de la Asamblea Demócrata, la Supervisora, la Secretaria y los Fideicomisarios actuales no continuarán en la lista de candidatos demócratas para las elecciones de abril. El Comisionado de Carreteras actual y el Asesor actual permanecerán en sus posiciones en la nueva lista demócrata. 

En estas próximas elecciones, los votantes tienen la oportunidad de elegir entre la nueva lista demócrata y la republicana. La decisión final la tomarán los votantes en abril. 

Nos sentimos orgullosos de los avances que hemos logrado en esta administración, al introducir y desarrollar iniciativas que marcan una diferencia notable. Algunos de estos programas son: 

  • Programa de transporte: Transporte para personas mayores y residentes discapacitados, y colaboramos con agencias locales. 
  • Reparación gratuita de automóviles: Ayudando a familias de bajos ingresos con reparaciones esenciales de sus vehículos. 
  • Preparación de impuestos gratis: Para personas con ingresos menos de $65,000 dólares al año. 
  • Servicios de notario gratis: Disponible tanto en inglés como en español. 
  • Expansión: Dos edificios recién renovados en zonas muy necesitadas. 
  • Servicios de salud mental: Se ofrece apoyo de salud mental para jóvenes de 6 a 24 años. 
  • Programa de prevención de la violencia: Reconocido con un premio estatal y representados a nivel nacional y en la Casa Blanca. 

Agradecemos a todos los que contribuyeron a nuestro progreso: a nuestro equipo, a nuestros socios y colaboradores, y a los miembros de la comunidad, cuyo apoyo y esfuerzo han sido fundamentales para realizar estas iniciativas. 

Tenemos esperanza para el futuro y para que la nueva administración siga desarrollando estos esfuerzos. Estamos dispuestos a apoyar una buena transición, trabajando juntos para garantizar la estabilidad y el crecimiento de la comunidad. 

“Homes for the HOWLidays” Event

Homes for the Howlidays. Dog Adoption Fees Waived! $10 microchips for cats and dogs! December 2 - December 31, 2024. Image of golden retriever puppy and terrier puppy wearing christmas clothing and standing in front of a festive tree.

Joliet, IL — Nov. 26, 2024 — Joliet Township Government is excited to announce its “Homes for the Howlidays” adoption event, taking place from 8:30 AM on December 2, 2024, through 4:00 PM on December 31, 2024, at Joliet Township Animal Control, located at 2807 McDonough Street, Joliet, IL 60436. This event aims to help dogs find loving forever homes and promote responsible pet ownership. 

Throughout December, adoption fees for dogs will be waived, making it easier for families to bring home a new furry companion for the holidays. While the adoption fees are waived, medical fees will still apply to ensure every dog receives the care they need before joining their new family. 

In addition to waiving dog adoption fees, microchips for both dogs and cats will be available at a reduced cost of $10. Microchips are small devices implanted under a pet’s skin that store a unique identification number. If a lost pet is found, the microchip can be scanned by a veterinarian or animal shelter to reunite the pet with its family, providing a simple and effective way to ensure their safety. 

“We know the holiday season is a time for family, and dogs make wonderful additions to homes looking for love and companionship,” said Whitney McGill Director of Joliet Township Animal Control. “Through ‘Homes for the Howlidays,’ we’re excited to connect more dogs with families and promote responsible pet ownership.” 

For more information about the “Homes for the Howlidays” event or to adopt your new best friend, call 815-725-0333 or visit www.joliettownshipanimalcontrol.net. 

Next REIAL Meeting: November 20, 2024

REIAL Monthly Meeting | Reunión mensual de REIAL
Join us for the next Racial Equity Impact Assessment League (REIAL) virtual meeting on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 1:00 PM (CST) on Zoom!
REIAL brings together community leaders and elected officials dedicated to advancing equity, preventing violence, and building a more inclusive Joliet. This monthly gathering is a platform to share updates, collaborate on meaningful initiatives, and ensure resources are directed to support all members of the community.
Don’t miss this chance to connect, contribute, and help drive impactful change. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month, and we welcome new members from organizations that share our vision for equity and inclusion.
Interested in joining? Please RSVP by reaching out to LeShae Hudson, Violence Prevention Council Coordinator, at lhudson@joliettownship.net.
Meeting link: bit.ly/REIALMeeting
Learn more: bit.ly/JolietREIAL
Together, let’s make a difference!

Fall-A-Palooza Bash: October 31, 2024

Join us for Fall-A-Palooza Bash at the Ozzie & Peggy Mitchell Center on Halloween, October 31st, from 4 PM – 6 PM! Hosted by Joliet Township Government CVI Services, this event offers a fun and safe Halloween celebration for the kids in our community. The goal is to provide a welcoming environment where children can trick-or-treat, enjoy snacks, and have a great time in a secure space. We look forward to seeing you there!

Joliet Township is committed to reducing gun violence in the community. The Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Services program provides support through case management, street outreach, victim advocacy, and community activities. This program helps high-risk individuals*, including those who may commit violence, those who have already done so, victims, and their families.

Hispanic Heritage Month 2024: Ivan Diaz

This Hispanic Heritage Month 2024, we take a moment to acknowledge Ivan Diaz, whose role as Finance Director at Joliet Township exemplifies the important contributions of Hispanic professionals in our community. He graduated from Lewis University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a minor in Finance. After graduating in 2018, Ivan began his career as an accountant, gaining valuable experience in auditing, bookkeeping, and taxation—skills that are essential in his role at the township. Outside of work, Ivan is a passionate sports fan, cheering on his favorite Chicago teams: the Bears and the Bulls.
—-
Este Mes de la Herencia Hispana, queremos reconocer a Ivan Diaz, quien como Director de Finanzas en el Municipio de Joliet representa el valioso impacto de los hispanos en nuestra comunidad. Ivan Diaz es el Director de Finanzas en el Municipio de Joliet. Se graduó de la Universidad de Lewis con una licenciatura en Contabilidad y una especialización en Finanzas. Después de graduarse en 2018, Ivan comenzó su carrera como contador, donde adquirió experiencia valiosa en auditoría, contabilidad y tributación, habilidades esenciales para su rol en el municipio. Fuera del trabajo, Ivan es un apasionado fanático de los deportes y apoya a sus equipos favoritos de Chicago: los Bears y los Bulls.

Hispanic Heritage Spotlight 2024: Fatima Silva

JOLIET, IL – September 20, 2024. As we continue our Hispanic Heritage Spotlight series, we are celebrating Fatima Silva for Hispanic Heritage Month and her impact at Joliet Township Givernment.
Fatima A. Silva works as a Commercial Deputy for the Joliet Township Assessor’s Office. Prior to this role, Fatima began her assessing career in 2016 with the DuPage Township Assessor’s Office in Bolingbrook, where she served as a part-time bilingual English/Spanish Residential Clerk and Property Tax Exemption Specialist.
Her commitment to serving and communicating with taxpayers in their own language led her to earn the Certified Illinois Assessing Officer (CIAO) Certificate. Over the course of eight years at DuPage Township, Fatima gained significant experience, which contributed to her progression to Commercial Deputy.
Her goal is to develop fair and equitable assessments for commercial and industrial properties and serve the residents of Joliet Township. Outside of work, Fatima enjoys spending time with her family and three dogs.

Toys for Tots Drive 2024

Bring a smile to children in need this Christmas! Joliet Township Government, in partnership with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated – Eta Chi Zeta Chapter – Joliet,IL, is a Toys for Tots drop-off location. Families can apply to receive toys through the Galowich Family YMCA.
Donate
Drop off new and unwrapped toys at our office at175 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL. Donations are accepted through December 13, 2024.
Apply
If your child is 12 or under, you can apply to receive a toy through the Galowich Family YMCA. Visit the following link to learn more: https://www.jolietymca.org/toys-for-tots-applications…/
Submit your application by 5:00 PM on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
Together, let’s make the holidays magical for children in our community!
—
¡Haz Sonreír a un Niño Esta Navidad! El Gobierno del Municipio de Joliet, junto con Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated – Eta Chi Zeta Chapter – Joliet, IL, es un lugar para donar juguetes para Toys for Tots. Las familias pueden pedir juguetes a través del Galowich Family YMCA.
Donar:
Trae juguetes nuevos y sin envolver a nuestra oficina, en175 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL. Aceptamos donaciones hasta el 13 de diciembre de 2024.
Solicitar
Si us hijo tiene 12 años o menos, pueden pedir un juguete a través del Galowich Family YMCA. Visite este enlace para más información: https://www.jolietymca.org/toys-for-tots-applications…/
Envíe su solicitud antes de las 5:00 PM del jueves 5 de diciembre de 2024.
¡Hagamos que las fiestas sean especiales para los niños de nuestra comunidad!

Joliet Township Government Presented at Active Threat & Mental Wellness 2024 Conference

Joliet Township Government was honored to be a presenting partner at the City of Joliet’s Active Threat & Mental Wellness 2024 Conference, held November 13–15. During the event, Joliet Township showcased its Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Services, highlighting efforts to reduce gun violence and support trauma recovery. Presentations also emphasized the CVI Behavioral Health program and the CVI Council’s work in aligning local violence prevention strategies.

The Joliet Township Government’s Transportation Department was also featured, demonstrating its critical role in connecting residents to essential resources such as healthcare and education, fostering community well-being.

The conference brought together experts and organizations for impactful discussions and resource sharing. For more details, visit activethreat.org.