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Richmond Street residents ask city to reinstate chained emergency exit after it became a daily cut‑through
Summary
Residents said an emergency exit at the end of a Richmond Street cul‑de‑sac, once chained and barricaded for emergency use only, has been opened and is now used as a daily bypass; they requested a city investigation and reinstatement of the barrier citing safety, zoning and a reported threat by a management employee.
Homeowners on Richmond Street asked the City Council to investigate and restore an emergency exit that they say has been opened and is now carrying regular traffic.
Carol Goolsby, who said she owns a home at 2823 Richmond Street, told the council the exit had been secured with barricades and a locked chain when she bought the property in 2020 and that recent months have seen nonemergency vehicles using the route to bypass congestion on Route 52 (Jefferson). She said the exit is narrower than city code requires for through traffic and that the increased volume creates hazards for pedestrians and children.
Goolsby told the council she and other residents attempted to contact the city zoning office and the mayor’s office without timely response and that discussions with AMG management, the condominium manager, were unsuccessful. She said an AMG employee entered her property, made threats, and that she filed a police report with the Joliet Police Department.
City Manager Beth Beatty responded from the dais and said residents can bring the concern to her and that the director of public works will address the situation. No formal council action or vote was taken during the meeting; the city manager offered to have staff investigate and follow up with the resident.
