Community Corner

šŸŒ± Patch AM: VIDEO: 77-Year-Old Smacks Joliet Police With Patio Chair, 'Both Of You Were Hitting My Son'

Also check out Junk in the Trunk Flea Market in Gardner on the Joliet Patch calendar

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Hi there, Joliet! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Bodycam shows 77-year-old Joliet mother swinging patio chair at police
  • Two Joliet police employees benched over alleged Flock camera misuse
  • Sheriff's sniper wins reinstatement, but has not returned to duty

Also on today's calendar: Junk in the Trunk Flea Market in Gardner and 10 more events.

Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Humid with a t-storm in spots, with a high of 88 and low of 66 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 83, low: 63.
  • Monday: Partly sunny, with a high of 83 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. VIDEO: 77-Year-Old Smacks Joliet Police With Patio Chair, 'Both Of You Were Hitting My Son' (patch.com) — Joliet readers can now see body camera footage from an August domestic disturbance where police say a 77-year-old mother struck officers with a patio chair while they were arresting her son on Kenmore Avenue. Both Ernest and Concepcion Lopez were taken to the Will County Jail, and the video shows the tense back-porch confrontation, the mother's complaints about her treatment, and officers' efforts to manage the chaotic scene.
   

2. Newest Joliet Police Department FLOCK Camera Controversy Lands 2 More Employees On Paid Leave (patch.com) — Joliet's police department has placed a sworn officer and a public safety dispatcher on paid leave amid allegations they misused Flock Safety license plate reader technology. City officials have turned the case over to the Joliet Inspector General and Illinois State Police, while promising audits and tighter policies to reassure residents about transparency and responsible policing.
   

3. Fired Will County Sheriff's Sniper Won His Job Back, But Has Lt. John Allen Returned To Sheriff's Facility? (patch.com) — Joliet readers learn that former Will County Sheriff's Lt. Johnathan Allen, whose mistaken sniper shot in 2022 led to a $2.75 million settlement, has won reinstatement with full back pay through federal arbitration. The sheriff's office, speaking to Joliet Patch, confirms Allen has not yet returned to work as it weighs a possible appeal of the ruling.
   

4. Joliet Catholic Academy Announces Its 3 September Students Of The Month (patch.com) — Joliet Catholic Academy is spotlighting three September Students of the Month with strong ties to Joliet and nearby communities, honoring their academics, leadership, and service. Local families will recognize the names behind achievements in honor societies, campus ministry, athletics, and community volunteering, including work with Holy Family Parish and the Miracle League of Joliet.
   

5. Joliet Payouts For Departing Employees: These 13 Retirees Cost Taxpayers $887,276 In 2026 (patch.com) — Joliet taxpayers have funded more than $887,000 in 2026 buyouts for 13 retiring city employees, driven by large banks of unused vacation, sick, and comp time. The report details individual payouts for Joliet police, fire, and city staff, and notes that recent property and fuel tax hikes were approved to bolster city revenues that help cover such obligations.
   

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Obituary: James Allen Coffey —Fred C. Dames Funeral Home Read on Patch
  • Joliet Public Schools District 86 Employees Recognized —Joliet Public Schools District 86 Read on Patch
  • Obituary: Sister Odelia Kloc, OSF —Fred C. Dames Funeral Home Read on Patch
  • Addicted To Love: A Robert Palmer Dance Party- live on the Outdoor Rooftop —Mike Brick Read on Patch
  • I have a frenchie with horrible allergies, does anyone have remedies that works, Apoquel was a bandaid and coconut oil stop working..
    he is licking paws and rubbing his belly on the ground.. it is breaking my heart … any suggesting?? (Nextdoor Picardy)
  • My refrigerator went out and I hate to get a new one.
    Does anyone know a good refrigerator repair person? (Nextdoor Reedwood)
  • Quest Food Management Services posted a job opening for Food Service Worker I in Joliet. Apply here.
  • Woodforest National Bank posted a job opening for Teller Retail Banker II in Joliet. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Joliet here.

Ok Joliet! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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