'Derek Did A Terrific Job For Joliet': Mayor O'Dekirk

JOLIET, IL — After nearly four years on the job at the City Hall, economic development director Derek Conley will be leaving Joliet for a similar post at the city of St. Charles. Conley came to Joliet in June 2018 to fill the newly created position of economic development specialist. He worked under Steve Jones and eventually took over Jones' position in 2020.

"It's a huge loss for Joliet," five-term Joliet City Councilwoman Jan Quillman told Patch. "Derek is a fine young man. He's on his way up. He works hard and he's very well-respected. He's brought a lot of economic development to the city."

Conley's departure comes just days after Joliet celebrated a major milestone: the first Portillo's Pick Up in the country had its grand opening celebration Tuesday, inside the North Ridge Plaza on North Larkin Avenue.

Later this month, the same Joliet shopping center will be opening a new VASA Fitness at the former site of Ultra Foods.

"Derek did a terrific job for Joliet, and I wish him luck as he moves on," Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk said. "I truly enjoyed working with him."

During the past couple years, Joliet added several popular new restaurants, including Chick-fil-A. Raising Cane's is opening its new double-drive thru this spring near the Louis Joliet Mall along Plainfield Road.

Several new shops and restaurants have been added along Jefferson Street including the Smallcakes bakery that celebrated its grand opening in late September near the Walmart.

Conley said at the time that the addition of Smallcakes is another reminder that revitalization continues along West Jefferson Street.

"We've had a lot of good development and business activity here on Jefferson Street and Smallcakes have been a part of the mix," Conley said.

Last May, Conley joined Gov. J.B. Pritzker to celebrate the construction at the future Lion Electric manufacturing plant off Youngs Road near Route 6. The Quebec-based company plans to open its electric bus and truck manufacturing facility in Joliet later this year, promising the creation of 1,418 new Joliet manufacturing jobs.

Also, under Conley's tenure, Joliet approved tax incentives to redevelop the blighted Kmart property at the city's busiest intersection. In the next few months, the new Tony's Fresh Market will open at Larkin and Jefferson, as will a Planet Fitness health club.

And directly across the street from the future Tony's, Joe Haberkorn II just opened his first Pop's Italian Beef & Sausage restaurant at the former Boston Market that closed in 2020.

Before joining Joliet in 2018, Conley worked for the city of Aurora. A huge supporter of downtown Joliet's revitalization, Conley also has lived in downtown Joliet.

Two other major projects are expected to materialize later this year after Conley departs: construction for the new Joliet Olive Garden along Route 30 near the Interstate 55 exit for the Costco store. Secondly, Joliet's Hollywood Casino off Route 6 is expected to relocate and build its new casino in Joliet at the Rock Run Crossings development near Interstate 55 and I-80.

Under Conley's leadership, the Joliet City Council approved plans for the NorthPoint Development near Route 53 near Elwood. In December, Joliet voted in favor of NorthPoint's plans to annex 2,300 acres of Jackson Township land to build Compass Business Park, which will consist of a warehouse and light manufacturing. The plan also includes a proposal to build two bridges, a closed loop traffic system, and at least 16 million square feet of warehouse space.

"He left his mark here," Quillman said of Conley.