Dustin Anderson, Joliet City Hall Department Head, No Longer Working For City Manager Beth Beatty: Sources

JOLIET, IL — Dustin Anderson, a 46-year-old Indiana native and resident who oversaw the city of Joliet's department of community development for nearly two and a half years, is no longer showing up for work at City Hall as of Thursday, sources informed Joliet Patch's editor.

Last September, Patch reported Anderson had recently received a retroactive cost of living salary increase of $5,850, bringing his new annual pay to $185,850. When Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty hired Anderson, she paid him $30,000 more than his predecessor Eva Marie Tropper was making.

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"We cannot comment on employment matters," city of Joliet media engagement director Sydney Thompson responded to Joliet Patch's questions about Anderson's sudden and abrupt departure. "The City does not have a job posting announcement regarding the Director of Community Development position. Any information regarding open positions at the City of Joliet is available on our website at www.joliet.gov."

When Joliet Patch inquired who, on Joliet's staff, is overseeing the Community Development Office as of Thursday, Thompson provided this written response: "The Community Development Department continues to operate under the City's existing administrative structure, with staff continuing to manage the department's day-to-day responsibilities and services."

In time, Anderson might best be remembered for helping urge the Joliet City Council in March to approve the massive data center project that is being planned on 800 acres of farmland near the Chicagoland Speedway — land owned by the family of Anderson's co-worker, Joliet planning director Jayne Bernhard.

The final vote went 8 to 1 in favor of the data center construction. Anderson's Council memo wrote, "Staff concurs with the recommendation of the Plan Commission and recommends the Mayor and City Council adopt the following, subject to the same conditions approved by the Plan Commission: Resolution to Approve an Annexation Agreement for the Annexation of Approximately 795 Acres Surrounding S. Rowell Road and Bernhard Road."

According to Anderson's memo, PowerHouse Hillwood Holding, LLC, intends to annex the 795 acres and develop a Data Center campus in four future phases.

"Data Center facilities are buildings that are used for the storage, management, processing, and transmission of digital data, which house computer network equipment, systems, servers, appliances, and other associated components related to digital data operations," Anderson explained.

Anderson Came To Joliet From Munster, Indiana

Back on Aug. 5, 2024, the city of Joliet issued a press release announcing, "Dustin Anderson has been hired as the city's permanent director to lead the department responsible for promoting the comprehensive growth and sustainability of the city and its neighborhoods."

Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty's press release said Anderson was serving as a Joliet City Hall consultant since April 22, 2024, overseeing community departments, which included Planning & Zoning, Neighborhood Services, Building, Inspection Division and Economic Development.

"The city is fortunate to have found a person with Dustin's unique background, expertise and long list of accomplishments to fill this important position," explained Beatty.

Before taking the job allowing him to commute to Joliet from his home back in northwest Indiana, Anderson spent nearly a decade as the town manager in Munster, Indiana.

In 2014, Patch reported the then-34-year-old Anderson was leaving Connecticut, where he worked as the Greenwich Town Hall special projects manager, for his home state of Indiana to oversee Munster as the town manager. Munster sits on the Illinois-Indiana border and is about 24 miles from Chicago.

"The City remains fully committed to the work of the Community Development Department and its role in Joliet's continued growth," said Thompson, Joliet's public relations spokeswoman. "The department continues to serve residents and businesses, advance development and redevelopment opportunities, support our neighborhoods, and move important projects forward throughout the community.
Residents can expect that work to continue, with the same focus on providing strong service and supporting responsible growth and investment in Joliet."

Anderson holds a master's in public affairs from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs and a bachelor of arts in political science and criminal justice from Indiana University.