Joliet Central Alum Takes Over Joliet City Hall Planning Director Post: 'I Love Joliet'

JOLIET, IL —Now that retiring city of Joliet planning director Jim Torri has used up his more than five months of unused vacation time and gone off the city payroll, Joliet has announced the promotion of Jayne Bernhard to replace him.

The appointment of Bernhard as Joliet's city planning director came from City Manager Beth Beatty.

According to Wednesday's press release from Rosemaria DiBenedetto, Bernhard will oversee both short- and long-term planning initiatives aimed at guiding Joliet’s continued growth and development.

“Jayne brings an extraordinary blend of expertise in planning, grant writing, and historic preservation, along with a deep personal connection to our city,” Beatty said. “Her work has already made a lasting impact in Joliet, and we’re confident her leadership will help shape a more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable future for our community.”

Bernhard has served in the city’s Planning Division since 2017, most recently as a city planner. In her new role, she will lead major citywide projects such as the Joliet Comprehensive Plan, the Interstate 80 Des Plaines River Bridge Community Plan and implementation of the Downtown Joliet Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Plan.

According to Joliet, Bernhard helped secure more than $3.7 million to support 15 planning and preservation initiatives. This includes the $3 million grant that is funding the new City Square in downtown Joliet. She also oversees historic preservation efforts, including the Joliet Area African American Historic Context Study and the nominations of Downtown Joliet and the Old Joliet Prison to the National Register of Historic Places.

“I love Joliet, and I am very excited to serve in this new role,” said Bernhard. “I am backed by an excellent team in the Planning Division who care deeply about this community.”

Prior to returning to Illinois, Bernhard worked at the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, where she led award-winning planning studies in the Worcester and Springfield metropolitan areas.

Bernhard holds a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University, dual master’s degrees in history and regional planning from the University of Massachusetts, and a certificate in public history. She is a graduate of Joliet Central High School and a native of Jackson Township.

She resides in Joliet’s Cathedral Area and serves on the board of the Joliet Area Historical Museum. She is also the proud mother of two young children.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Another 5-Plus Months On Payroll For Joliet's 'Retired' Planning Director