NorthPoint, Joliet Sued By Manhattan, Plus Several People: Here's Why

JOLIET — Even though the NorthPoint development along Route 53 on Joliet's southern gateway is well underway and several warehouses are already built, the city of Joliet, East Gate Logistics Park Chicago and Northpoint Development have been hit with a new civil lawsuit, one filed in recent days at the Will County Courthouse, Joliet Patch has learned.

The lawsuit consists of more than 100 pages of filings and court exhibits. Dozens of people signed their names as plaintiffs for the lawsuit, which can be read at the bottom of this article.

According to the lawsuit, Manhattan had a population of 9,385 people in 2020, and the NorthPoint development project is inside Manhattan's current planning area with the western boundary of Manhattan only 200 feet from the development.

"Its residents will be directly impacted and injured by the development. Trucks will traverse through Manhattan burdening its roads and infrastructure," the new lawsuit against Joliet and NorthPoint contends. "Manhattan and its residents will be impacted and injured by the increase in truck traffic, environmental pollution, noise pollution, vibration and light pollution and the overall decrease in quality of life.

"Manhattan residents regularly visit the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. The Development will interfere with the dignity, serenity and quiet that are expected when paying their respects to loved ones at the cemetery. Manhattan residents also regularly visit the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. The development will interfere with the clean air, water and quiet expected when enjoying nature at this U.S. Forest Service conversation site that includes an American bison herd."

The lawsuit asks that a Will County judge rule that the NorthPoint development constitutes a private and public nuisance and issue a temporary and permanent injunction prohibiting Joliet and NorthPoint from proceeding with the development. The lawsuit also seeks attorneys' fees and costs "and any other relief the court deems appropriate."

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

NorthPoint Celebrates 'Superlative' Construction Year In Joliet

Controversial Joliet Development Underway: 'We Can't Stop It'

Joliet Votes For NorthPoint Once Again: 2022 Construction Nears

NorthPoint Is Coming: Joliet Council Votes 6-2