JOLIET – Building upon the smart infrastructure investments supported by State Senator Rachel Ventura, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced an investment of $1.5 billion in road and bridge improvement projects coming to the area.

“Transportation infrastructure is essential to our community as we offer so much to the state in terms of trucking and warehouse operations,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Commuters, visitors and truckers alike will all benefit from this massive investment into our community.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, the district Ventura represents will see 128 infrastructure projects totaling more than $1.5 billion over the next six years.

Some of the most vital projects coming to the area include:
• I-55 - $123.7 million to replace a bridge at ILL 129 and reconstruction at Lorenzo Road
• I-80 - $1.1 billion for land acquisition in Joliet, New Lenox and Minooka as well as construction engineering and a new bikeway on Ridge Road to US 30
• Route 6 - $9.2 million for pavement preservation in Joliet and Channahon and other various road improvements
• US 52 - $131.9 million for a new bridge replacement at Des Plaines River and Sanitary and Ship Canal as well as major various construction projects in Shorewood and Joliet on River Road to Houbolt Road
These projects are part of IDOT’s multi-year plan, a $40 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years. The plan invests in all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, as well as bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

“Joliet is a major transportation hub in Illinois, and investments in our roads will help it flourish even farther,” Ventura said. “This significant investment will help us enhance our state’s infrastructure and also equip our economy for the future.”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 43rd Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.

JOLIET – State Senator Rachel Ventura, who has had a long history of standing with health care workers to ensure that their voices are heard, will speak at a picketing event and press conference Thursday, in support of St. Joseph Medical Center nurses.

“Health care workers should have a viable and transparent relationship with their employers. I encourage residents to show their support with those who take care of us when we are in need of medical care,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “My office has corresponded with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) on investigating reports of repeated violations of Illinois staffing laws, and I am pushing for answers.”

In addition to working with IDPH, Ventura attended a rally to support nurses last week, and she previously sat in on negotiations with hospital officials. Ventura will be a featured speaker at an informational picket and press conference held Thursday, July 20 at the St. Joseph Medical Center.  The picket will take place at the Madison entrance of Ascension Saint Joseph starting at 3 p.m., followed by a press conference at 5:30 p.m. 

St. Joe’s Nurses Association has been in negotiations with Ascension representatives since May and many of the union’s proposals have remained virtually untouched in the intervening months. Nurses say the future of the only hospital in Joliet depends on this contract. The current union contract expires on July 19, 2023.

“St. Joe’s nurses deserve to work in an environment with safe staffing levels and they shouldn’t be made to feel taken advantage of,” said Ventura. “Our health care workers are a critical part of our communities and I will continue to be a voice for them in-district, and in Springfield.”

For additional questions about this event, contact Sarah Hurd with the Illinois Nurses Association (INA) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ROMEOVILLE – State Senator Rachel Ventura along with Will County Board Member Destinee Ortiz have raised concerns about a zoning map amendment and five variances for a proposed heavy crude oil pipeline and barge terminal currently being considered by the Will County Board.

“We have the largest inland port in the state,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “If there was an oil spill, we’d have to shut down the locks to drain it out. It would be devastating for our local economy.”

The Will County Board is taking up a proposal on Wednesday that would allow Ducere to open an oil pipeline terminal next to the Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve. If approved, the port would see oil exporters from Canada ship their cargo through Illinois to other states.

There has been a history of oil spills in Romeoville and in 2010, the Will County State's Attorney was forced to sue Enbridge — the pipeline company where Ducere will get their oil from — for cleanup costs associated with the Romeoville oil spill that devastated the community.

“Expanding pollution projects in this area is counterproductive to the state's goals,” said Ventura. “Bringing crude oil onto an Illinois waterway just to get to another state puts all Illinoisans at risk.”

The Ducere project is a barge petroleum loading terminal over the Des Plaines River that will allow oil from Enbridge to split off before CITGO's local refinery and send to Louisiana where companies like Shell use cheaper labor and do not pay union wages.

The map amendment will come before the full board for a vote on Wednesday, July 19 at 9 a.m. at the Will County Office Building in Joliet. Ventura and Ortiz are encouraging residents to contact their board members before the meeting to urge them to vote no on this proposal.

Ventura and Ortiz additionally went on WJOL, a local radio station to call for a public hearing on the issue before a vote is considered, interview which you can listen here.

JOLIET – Senator Rachel Ventura was appointed to serve on the Council of State Governments Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.

“This appointment will better position me to serve my colleagues in the senate and better advocate for residents of the 43rd District," said Ventura (D-Joliet). "My background working at different levels of government has prepared me for this new role.”

Ventura previously served as a Will County Board Member and as an employee for Joliet Township. Additionally, she also served as Vice President of the Forest Preserve District of Will County. Ventura hopes to utilize this new role to benefit the 43rd District and Illinois overall, providing key insight on topics such as environmental issues, taxes and criminal justice reform.

The CSG Intergovernmental Affairs Committee is the primary body setting the state - federal relations agenda for CSG. Additionally, it is a bipartisan committee comprised of officials from all three branches of state government, as well as CSG Associate members.

“Senator Ventura brings a new voice and wealth of experience to CSG,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, who appointed Ventura to the CSG post. “I look forward to seeing her work.”

All committees will meet during the 2023 CSG National Conference, which is scheduled to be held Dec. 6-9 in Raleigh, NC.