OPINION: Joliet Economic Development Needs New Leadership

By BOB O’DEKIRK, candidate for Mayor of Joliet

Joliet was once the economic powerhouse of Will County. Back in 1983, after the collapse of the steel and manufacturing industry in and around Joliet, it took a long time for our city to regain its morale and its economic stability.

While the casino jobs and revenue provided a much needed boost to the local economy and city treasury in the early 1990’s, the groundwork was already being laid for the resurgence of Joliet as the regional economic powerhouse in Will County.

Careful long term planning by the City Manager and city officials that relied on geographic annexation/expansion and aggressive non-manufacturing business solicitation was the key to creating a diversified economy that would minimize the impact of future economic downturns.

The great strides that Joliet made from 1990 through 2007 were curtailed by the Great Recession like every other municipality in Illinois, but unlike other areas of Illinois, Joliet is still stuck in economic “neutral” almost ten years later while our neighboring communities prosper.

Joliet has more to offer new businesses, expanding businesses and small businesses as any region in Illinois. We have a well-educated and well trained work force, a highly regarded public school system, great residential neighborhood selections, and a centrally located national transportation hub with the intersection of I-80 and I-55, multiple rail lines and intermodal rail facilities, as well as the Des Plaines River.

What Joliet does not have is the same knowledgeable and aggressive leadership that guided Joliet out of its last troubled period.

There is a tremendous talent pool in Joliet in the private sector, in our community organization and within our public officials on the local, city, township, county and state levels. They just need to be focused and organized by a person with a plan, a vision, and a basic understanding of a modern economy.

As important as the substantive planning and organization is, the perception of our community as great place to do business and raise a family is equally important, which is why we need a leader who will personify a dynamic community eager to accommodate all new businesses and residents who can help build on our foundation.

Joliet can again be the premier community in Will County and the southwest collar county region, but real reform and change needs to begin at the top. We can be great again, and I would like to lead us there beginning April 7, 2015.