Art Exhibit at Plainfield Township Building

View artwork by members of the Plainfield Art League between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the township's Lockport Road office.

Plainfield Township Plans Building Addition

The proposal calls for expanded meeting space to serve seniors, community groups.

Plainfield Township is moving forward with a plan to build a 3,000-square-foot addition to the township building, 22525 W. Lockport St. Township Supervisor John Argoudelis said the final architectural drawings have been completed, and the project will go out for bid on Sept. 6. The project was initially envisioned as a senior citizens’ wing, but has since become a plan for a multi-use addition complete with additional meeting space for community groups, a kitchen and an office for joint Plainfield Township/Plainfield Park District Senior Coordinator Kathy Whalen. “It all started with the old senior center,” Argoudelis said, referring to the park district’s River Edge Recreation Center, which has been closed for several years after being …

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Property Values Decline in Plainfield, Will County

But lower assessments do not necessarily translate into lower tax bills.

For the third consecutive year, Will County homeowners will see a reduction in the assessed value of their houses. Will County Supervisor of Assessments Rhonda Novak announced Wednesday that assessments are down an average of 6.44 countywide due to the continued effects of the housing slump. In Plainfield Township, Assessor Erin Kljaich said assessments are down an average of 6 percent. “It’s really important to note that it’s not 6 percent across the board,” Kljaich added, saying some pockets of Plainfield Township will see even greater reductions. The decline can be attributed to the collapse of the housing market that started in 2008, resulting in a large number of foreclosures, a deflated demand for new housing, a drop in the amount …

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Storage Unit Burns in Plainfield Township Blaze

The fire's source is believed to be a pickup truck parked inside the unit, but investigators have not determined what caused it to ignite, the deputy fire chief said.

Fire destroyed the end unit of a storage facility in Plainfield Township Wednesday night, Deputy Fire Chief Jon Stratton said Thursday. The blaze's source was a pickup truck parked inside the unoccupied unit, but investigators have not determined what cause the vehicle to combust, Stratton said. The Plainfield Fire Protection District was notified of the fire at 2501 Von Esch Road shortly after 10:30 p.m. and took about 15 minutes to extinguish. While the unit and its contents were destroyed, there was no damage to the four remaining storage units, Stratton said. The loss was pegged at about $50,000, he said. 

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Looking for Holiday Fun? We Have the Event List Wrapped Up for You

Free Christmas movies, ornament making, crafts shows and more are being held by the park district, schools and other groups.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and have some fun! Need some ideas of where to go or what to do? Check out our guide to holiday events in Plainfield. COMMUNITY Seniors’ Luncheon - Plainfield Township and the Plainfield Park District will co-host the annual holiday luncheon for Plainfield Township senior citizens at noon Dec. 14 at the American Legion Hall, 24741 W. Renwick Road. The free lunch will include entertainment and door prizes. Reservations are required by Dec. 2. Each attendee is asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Plainfield Food Pantry. Call Kathy at 815-436-8812, Ext. 13. Operation Christmas Wrap – Kids are invited to make ornaments to wrap as presents while parents enjoy …

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Township, Park District to Hold Free Holiday Lunch for Seniors

Reservations are required and must be made by Dec. 2.

The Plainfield Park District and Plainfield Township will co-host their annual holiday luncheon for Plainfield Township senior citizens on Dec. 14. The free lunch will be held at noon at the American Legion Hall, 24741 W. Renwick Road, Plainfield. Entertainment will be presented and door prizes awarded after lunch. There is no cost for the luncheon, but reservations must be made by calling Kathy at 815-436-8812, Ext. 12, by Dec. 2. Each attendee is asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Plainfield Interfaith Food Pantry.

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College Expo to Provide School, Aid Info

The Oct. 20 event, which will bring in more than 20 colleges and groups that can help with financial aid and scholarships, is sponsored by Plainfield Township and Plainfield School District 202.

Get info about college and possibly win an iPod Nano -- it's a lure that Plainfield Township and Plainfield School District 202 will bring students and their parents to their semiannual annual College and Financial Aid Expo. More than 20 colleges and universities will be represented at the event, set for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Plainfield Central High School. Among the schools to be in attendance are DePaul, Loyola, Eastern Illinois, University of St. Francis and Joliet Junior College. In addition to learning about individual schools, there will also be information on scholarships and financial aid information from groups such at the Plainfield Foundation for Excellence, the Plainfield Rotary Club and First Midwest Bank. The event is …

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Free Leaf Pickup for Unincorporated Plainfield Residents

Highway Commission Sam Reichert said the service, which will be done three times, will cut down on the pollution caused by burning leaves.

Leaf burning is out, leaf pickup is in in Plainfield Township, where Road Commissioner Sam Reichert says he will do three rounds of leaf removal between mid-October and late-Novemeber. The free service is meant to eliminate the smoke pollution caused by leaf burning, Reichert said in a media release on the new program. It is available only to township residents who live in unincorporated areas. The three leaf pickup periods are: Oct. 17-28, Oct. 31-Nov. 11, and Nov. 14-23. Eligible residents must live in areas where township plows clear snow in front and on the side of a house, Reichert said. Crews using special trucks will vacuum up leaf piles at least once every pickup period. Other rules include: For questions or to verify if you are …

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Life-Affirming Actions Came from Tragedy

It's easy to focus on the horrible tragedy of 9/11, but we must also remember the positives, such as the heroes who emerged and how it united us as Americans.

On the ten-year anniversary of the horrific and unforgettable terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, many of us across this country will be inclined to think back to that day and remember the fear, uncertainty, sadness, and anger that we felt. We will recall where we were, what we were doing, who we were with, and how our whole world seemed to stand still as we struggled to comprehend what we were bearing witness to. Those of us who were young children, like myself, in school and about to begin another day of learning, received more of a world education than we ever expected. From all across the nation, people stopped what they were doing, trying helplessly to make sense of something that they had never experienced before, something that …

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About Town

Free Hot Dog Lunch for Disabled Community Set

The annual event, sponsored by Plainfield township and park district, will be held Sept. 11 on the Village Green.

Plainfield Township’s annual day in the park for Will County's disabled community has gotten so popular that organizers are having to stock up to make sure they have enough hot dogs. For the 10th year, the township, in tandem with the Plainfield Park District, will hold the free picnic on the Village Green, at Ottawa and Fox River streets just off downtown Plainfield. It will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 11. In addition to the free lunch, the event will feature a magic show, exotic animals and a D.J. spinning tunes. Last year, more than 300 people attended -- double the the 150 who turned out in 2009. Cooks were caught off guard and had to make an emergency run to buy more provisions in order to keep the franks flowing. “Word has spread …

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