Committee backs new women’s residential rehab facility in Joliet area, citing need and licensing

The Will County Land Use & Development Committee on Dec. 5 recommended approval of ZC25103, a map amendment and special‑use permit to convert an existing commercial building at 111 Patterson Road in Joliet into a 13‑bed, women‑only residential substance‑use rehabilitation facility operated by ECS.

Planning staff said the property’s existing commercial improvements make it suitable for conversion and found impacts including traffic and neighborhood effects would be minimal. The planning and zoning commission voted 6–0 to recommend approval.

Dr. Sharma, the ECS owner, told the committee the center is accredited, accepts Medicaid, is staffed 24/7, and has operated in Will County for nearly a decade. “This project is another chapter in that same redemption story,” he said, describing the facility as a low‑census, clinically‑focused program for women with trauma and co‑occurring disorders. Minister Dr. Mary White and other community members testified in support, recounting personal experience with residential treatment and urging committee approval.

Committee members praised the proposal’s focus on women’s treatment needs and the facility’s licensing and oversight. The committee voted unanimously to forward both the map amendment and the special use permit to the full county board for final action.

Next steps: the recommendations will appear at the next county board meeting; staff noted the facility will be subject to licensing, inspection and any applicable conditions attached to the special use.