JOLIET, IL — For the past several weeks, Joliet motorists heading east and west along Route 52 have noticed the giant concrete walls being erected at the site of the former Joliet Plaza Inn & Suites, 4200 West Jefferson Street. On Wednesday, things were different. There was one rat, a giant inflatable rat, anchored down along the perimeter of the property.

People around the Joliet area know the rat’s name. It’s Scabby. And he was brought to the Joliet U-Haul Self Storage facility construction site by members of Ironworkers Local 444, based in Joliet.

Ironworkers Local 444 informed Joliet Patch they are demonstrating their anger toward the Pacific Construction, the contractor overseeing the U-Haul project.

Until now, the construction project remained controversy-free, however, that suddenly changed this week as Pacific began using non-union ironworkers, who traveled to Joliet from as far away as Virginia and Oklahoma, according to Local 444.

Local 444 assured Joliet Patch that Scabby the Rat will be anchored along West Jefferson Street — not far from the city of Joliet’s gateway entrance sign — as long as Pacific continues to use non-union out of state ironworkers, which may be several more days.

Pacific hopes to have Joliet’s new U-Haul Self-Storage facility ready to open for business during the early months of 2026.

Previous Joliet Patch coverage of Joliet Plaza Inn & Suites Redevelopment