Will County Turns 190 Years Old: This Milestone For The County Is An Opportunity To Spotlight These Stories

(The following press release is from Mike Theodore, Director of Communications, Will County Executive Office.)

JOLIET, IL — Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant is kicking off a year-long celebration of Will County’s 190th Anniversary, which will include a partnership with the Will County Historic Preservation Commission to spotlight local historic sites and milestones under the theme “Celebrating 190 Years of Community.”

The county was officially founded on January 12, 1836, when it was incorporated by the State of Illinois.

“Will County’s 190-year history has been defined by vibrant neighborhoods, economic opportunity, and community-driven initiatives that have made lasting contributions locally, regionally, and nationally,” said County Executive Bertino-Tarrant. “This milestone is an opportunity to share stories and celebrate our rich history. I look forward to partnering with local leaders to spotlight our past and use it as a foundation to look to the future.”

County Executive Bertino-Tarrant on Monday issued an Executive Proclamation highlighting Will County’s “significant cultural and historic impact on the state and nation in the 190 years since incorporation.” The proclamation notes that Will County was incorporated as a promising epicenter of opportunity and quickly became a “strategic crossroad for the nation.”

Throughout 2026, the Will County Executive Office will be spotlighting many of the 60 sites designated as Local Landmarks by the Will County Historic Preservation Commission, along with other historic and cultural landmarks in the county. These online features will tell the story of why each site was designated as a historic site and how it contributed to the culture of both its local community and Will County. The commission is tasked with recommending properties and structure for protection, restoration, rehabilitation, and adaption for continued use.

“One of the most endearing qualities of life in Will County is the pride shown in all our communities for preserving historically significant landmarks for future generations,” said Will County Historic Preservation Commission Chair Gary Mueller. “Our dedicated historical preservation volunteers in Will County have provided such a great service and have worked hard to ensure future generations can experience, first-hand, how structures and properties affected life for persons many years ago. This milestone for the county is an opportunity to spotlight these stories and work to ensure that future generations have more than simply pictures and memories to reference when learning about the past.”

Will County’s 190th anniversary coincides with several local, regional, and historic milestones in 2026, including the national celebration of 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th (“Semiquincentennial”) and the Route 66 Centennial Celebration. The latter will include several programs and activities hosted by local municipalities and organizations showcasing the role that Will County communities have played in national growth and development.

This includes an April 30, 2026 kick-off event for the local Route 66 Centennial celebrations, featuring a Joliet Slammers Baseball game at the Old Joliet Prison. The event is a collaboration between the Joliet Area Historical Museum, Will County, the City of Joliet, and Heritage Corridor Destinations.

A listing and map of Will County historical landmarks can be found at: WillCounty.Gov/HPC-Local-Landmark-Program.