Larry Hug: No Apartments Will Be Built On Sears Property

JOLIET, IL — Hours after Joliet Patch broke an exclusive story about plans to build apartments as part of the Sears redevelopment at the Louis Mall, Joliet City Council Larry Hug issued a press release, vowing to defeat that proposal.

Hug represents the voters of District 1, and he is facing competition in the April 4 municipal elections from Mike Eulitz, who retired in 2020 as the city of Joliet's long-time roadways engineer in the Public Works Division.

According to Thursday's press release, Hug "felt compelled to set the record straight concerning completely inaccurate information floated by one City Hall employee. New Economic Development Director Cesar Suarez reported to the Patch that "200 to 300 apartments will be built" on the former Sears property at the Louis Joliet Mall.

“The first I heard about this is when I saw it on the Patch,” Hug announced in his press release, “and I was stunned. Make no mistake about it, there will not be any apartments built on the mall site.”

Hug, who is also the city’s Economic Development Committee chairman, said it was a total and complete breakdown in communication between the new city employee, Hug, the Mayor and other council members.

Hug said that Suarez, who came to Joliet from Peoria, contacted absolutely no member of the City Council or his committee before making his announcement. Suarez began his employment with Joliet last May.

“Had he done his due diligence and contacted me, he would have learned that this concept was vetted and rejected about three years ago under former Economic Development Director Derek Conley,” Hug announced. "In the past six years, I’ve killed no less than a dozen high density apartment proposals in my district. I will continue to do so to protect the neighborhoods and schools as long as I serve on this council.”

Hug said he is concerned for the quality of life for the current Joliet residents and the negative impact it would have on our schools. He pointed to the new retail locating to Joliet in the mall footprint such as Binny’s, Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s, Olive Garden, luxury car dealerships and many others as evidence of a new direction for the mall area.

“Plain and simple, I have not and will not let developers flood our district, our neighborhoods, our schools with apartments," Hug declared. "If Suarez had called me or other members of the council, he would have known this.”

This week, Joliet Patch reported two noteworthy stories regarding the empty Sears store. Patch reported that Ghaben Auto Group paid $4.3 million for the 16.7-acre former Sears store at the southwest corner of the Louis Joliet Mall.

Patch also reported that preliminary discussions are also underway to consider putting apartments, perhaps 200 to 300, on the Sears property as well.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Empty Sears At Louis Mall To Become Car Dealership: Report

Lots Of Apartments For Joliet's Sears: 'That Would Be Very Attractive'