Say Yes To NorthPoint: Joliet FOP Lodge, AFSCME Local 440

JOLIET, IL — More support for the NorthPoint Development project continues to build across the city leading up to Tuesday night's Joliet City Council vote. In recent days, the Joliet Police Department's Fraternal Order of Police Lodge publicly endorsed the NorthPoint development that would go along the southern corridor of the city, encompassing at least 1,300 acres.

Both Joliet's Fraternal Order of Police Lodge and the Will-Grundy Counties Building Trades Council shared the news on their respective Facebook pages.

"We were just notified by the Joliet Patrolman FOP that they are supporting the NorthPoint project. Thanks to our brothers and sisters in blue for standing with the Building Trades and Contractors Association," the trades council announced. "The Building Trades is united with the Joliet FOP in urging the Joliet City Council to Vote YES on the Compass Business Park on March 17."

The vote by Joliet's FOP appeared to catch one of long-time member of the Joliet Police Department off-guard. "When did we vote as a union body to to back this project? We have some of our members living down there who I am sure aren't for this project. Pretty important topic for the body as a whole not to have a vote on," he commented on Facebook.

The Joliet FOP that endorses NorthPoint consists of the patrol officers, which is led by Mike Devito as its president.

The city of Joliet also has a much smaller union for its lieutenants and sergeants called the Joliet Police Supervisors Association, which is led by Sgt. Patrick Cardwell.

The supervisors posted a short statement on their Facebook page Saturday explaining: "We have received numerous calls in reference to Joliet FOPs endorsement of NorthPoint. This was never discussed, voted or endorsed by our membership."

Also on Saturday, the Will & Grundy Counties Building Trades Council announced another noteworthy endorsement in the Say Yes To Northpoint campaign.

AFSCME Local 440, which consists of the city of Joliet workers union, also announced it was coming out in favor of NorthPoint.

"The Building Trades is united with the AFSCME Local 440, Joliet FOP and the Contractors Association of Will and Grundy Counties in urging the Joliet City Council to vote yes on the Compass Business Park on March 17," the trades council posted on social media.

Recent Joliet Patch coverage:

• Will-Grundy Trades Rally For Joliet NorthPoint
• Joliet Patch Tours NorthPoint's Kansas Logistics Park