Chicagoland’s Week In Review: This week’s Will County news tracks three local stories: severe storms that cut power to thousands and disrupted Lockport Old Canal Days, the theft and damage of classic cars tied to the 2026 Hot Rod Power Tour at Joliet hotels, and a string of Joliet infrastructure and government disruptions, including a Jackson Street bridge lane reduction and an early City Hall shutdown.
Chicago Top Headlines: Will County News: Storm Damage, Stolen Hot Rods, and Joliet Disruptions
Storms Knock Out Power and Disrupt Events
Severe weather swept through the county, downing trees and utility lines and leaving more than 14,000 residents without power. Hardest-hit communities included Joliet, Crest Hill, Lockport, New Lenox, and Plainfield. The storm forced organizers to cancel the opening day of Lockport Old Canal Days, with ComEd targeting the weekend for full restoration [Source].
Hot Rod Power Tour Thefts in Joliet
In other Will County news, authorities are searching for suspects after four classic vehicles in the 2026 Hot Rod Power Tour were stolen and four more were damaged at Joliet-area hotels. One stolen vehicle was later recovered following a crash in nearby Dolton [Source].
Owners Await Updates
Tour participants and local police continue working together to track down the remaining vehicles and identify those responsible [Source].
Joliet Infrastructure and Government Closures
City officials reduced the Jackson Street bridge to a single westbound lane and announced emergency closures along sections of Clinton Street. Ahead of the flooding threat, Joliet administrators closed City Hall early to protect staff and free up resources [Source].
Key Takeaways
- Storms cut power to 14,000-plus residents and canceled Old Canal Days’ first day.
- Eight Hot Rod Power Tour cars were stolen or damaged; one was recovered in Dolton.
- Joliet reduced the Jackson Street bridge and closed City Hall early.
Topic Comparison
| Topic | Who’s Involved | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Storm outages | ComEd, area residents | Weekend restoration goal |
| Hot rod thefts | Joliet police, tour owners | Active search |
| Joliet closures | Joliet officials | Lanes and hours limited |
Summary
The week left Will County juggling storm recovery, a vehicle theft investigation, and traffic disruptions. Residents should watch for restoration updates, police progress on the recovered and missing cars, and reopening timelines for the bridge and City Hall.
#WillCounty #Joliet #HotRodPowerTour
