A special census will begin in parts of Joliet this week.
The census will be limited to neighborhoods that experienced new housing construction during the past six years. According to the city, most residents will not be affected by the census, which is set to begin Sept. 23.
The purpose of this special census is to determine population growth that has occurred since the 2010 census. Joliet will receive additional state revenues based upon the number of new residents identified in the census.
Obtaining an accurate count of community growth is extremely important, according to the city. This statewide revenue sharing helps fund police, fire and public services.
Current projections indicate that Joliet added 1,460 new residents, which would result in an additional $223,000 per year to fund municipal services.
Census enumerators will contact residents at their homes to conduct interviews. All workers will have a U.S. Census Bureau badge to display their identity. The census enumerators will ask five questions pertaining to individuals living within each household. Individual household data are confidential and used for the purposes of determining total population statistics.
For more information regarding the Census Bureau, visit www.census.gov/regions/specialcensus.
City notifies residents of political sign rules
The city of Joliet is reminding residents of regulations that control the placement of signs supporting political candidates in the upcoming elections.
Joliet’s zoning ordinance regulates temporary political signs to control the size and location of these signs. State law prohibits municipalities from regulating when campaign signs can go up on residential properties.
Property owners are allowed to put up outdoor political campaign signs without any limitation on the time that the signs may be displayed.
Municipalities are still allowed to regulate the size, height and location of the signs. Signs cannot be larger than 16 square feet in area, which includes the support structure, or more than 5 feet in height. Signs must be placed on private property and not in the city’s right-of-way, which includes the parkway between the street and the sidewalk or in the median.
All signs placed illegally in the right-of-way or on any other public property will be removed by the city and discarded immediately. Political signs should, at no time, be placed any closer than 10 feet from the edge of the pavement.
In areas where sidewalks are present, signs need to be placed a minimum of two feet beyond the private property side of the edge of the sidewalk. The use of trees or utility poles as sign supports or standards is prohibited.
More information about sign regulations is available at www.cityofjoliet.info. Select the link for Zoning Ordinances to review section 47-17.21. Any signs posted in violation of these regulations will be deemed illegal and are subject to removal and possible fines. Should you have any questions about temporary political signs or to report violations, contact the City of Joliet at 815-724-4000.
Art Schultz Drive closure begins Sept. 19
As part of the continued work on the Joliet Gateway Center transportation campus, Mayor Art Schultz Drive (Michigan Street), between Clinton and Van Buren, will be closed for construction of the temporary Heritage Corridor platform.
Drivers are advised to exercise caution beginning Sept. 19 and seek alternate routes when traveling in the area. This closure will remain in place until the new train station and center platform are completed and open to the public, the city said.