Chicago Construction News staff writer
The Joliet City Council has approved the 2025 fiscal year budget with $661.6 million including $276 million for water operations, water main replacement, and the Lake Michigan Water Project.
“The budget process began in early June and continued through late fall as we worked to balance the needs of our staff and present a balanced budget to the council,” said Finance Director Kevin Sing.
“Great care was taken to allocate funds wisely and prudently,” explained City Manager Beth Beatty. “Departments had to justify and explain budget requests. There was a tremendous amount of scrutiny and time spent reviewing the dollars currently budgeted, as well as any new funding requests.”
Other budget highlights include:
- Approximately 30 miles of roads and sidewalks
- City Square & Chicago Street Project
- Maintenance improvements to Slammers Stadium
- Design for Fire Station 7 replacement
- Roadway landscape upgrades
- Ottawa Street Parking Deck repairs
- 30 miles of water main replacement
The $276 million allocated for water and sewer projects is broken down as follows:
- Sewer and Water Operating: $79 million
- Sewer and Water Capital: $30 million
- Water Main Replacements: $114 million
- Lake Michigan Water Project: $53 million
“We are the third-largest city, and for too long we have not operated like one,” said Mayor Terry D’Arcy. “We need to invest in our city operations just as residents do in their homes and business owners do in their businesses.
“By deferring investments, it will only cost the city more money in the long run and lower our quality of life.”