Manley Celebrates Joliet Public Schools’ Hufford Groundbreaking

On Thursday, September 12, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, celebrated Joliet Public Schools’ new Hufford Junior High School at a groundbreaking ceremony. The Hufford groundbreaking was accompanied by another ceremony celebrating the groundbreaking of Gompers Junior High School that same day.

“The public voted overwhelmingly in a referendum that the two schools, over 66 years old, should be replaced. The average citizen recognizes the value of having great educational institutions,” said Manley. “District 86 is making good on their decision by starting construction on two state-of-the-art educational facilities for Joliet’s growing community.”

According to Joliet Public Schools D86, “the new 171,000-square-foot Hufford Junior High School will be built off Ingalls Avenue west of Larkin Avenue. The new school will be approximately 33% larger than the current Hufford Junior High. Gompers Junior High School will be a 142,700-square-foot facility roughly the same size as the current school.”

“I would like to thank Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, the referendum committee, and the school board for their initiative in seeing that the result of that referendum becomes a reality,” said Manley. “These schools will serve as valuable investments for generations to come.”