Will County Gazette

The City of Joliet and Joliet Junior College (JJC) have announced a partnership to consider the development of a Public Safety Institute (PSI). The proposed institute would focus on expanding hands-on training for police, fire, and emergency personnel while also supporting career pathways for future public safety professionals.

This collaboration comes after the JJC Board of Trustees voted unanimously in favor of the initiative on September 10. The Joliet City Council also passed a resolution supporting the effort. Through an intergovernmental agreement, both entities will allocate up to $250,000 for a feasibility study that will examine design concepts, construction costs, and potential funding strategies.

Public safety is the largest workforce sector in Joliet, with nearly 1,000 city employees and more than half working in police, fire, or emergency response roles. The PSI aims to provide consistent training for these professionals and offer students and working adults access to practical education experiences.

“Communities that invest in dedicated training centers for first responders benefit from safer neighborhoods, better-prepared professionals, and access to the latest tools and best practices,” said Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy. “This effort allows us to prepare for the future and strengthen public safety for generations to come.”

JJC President Dr. Clyne G.H. Namuo commented on the workforce implications: “Public safety is the foundation of a thriving community, and education is the cornerstone of opportunity. A Public Safety Institute will create a direct pathway into careers in policing, fire science, and emergency services. This initiative means access to cutting-edge training close to home, while meeting a critical workforce need.”

The envisioned PSI would serve as both a regional hub for current first responder training and as an entry point into public safety careers for students. This aligns with JJC’s ongoing mission as the nation’s first public community college focused on workforce development.

Joliet is located in Will and Kendall counties about 30 miles southwest of Chicago. According to data from the 2020 census, it ranks as Illinois’ third largest city with over 150,000 residents (https://www.joliet.gov).

For further information about this initiative or about Joliet itself, visit https://www.joliet.gov.