I 80 westbound at I 55 is under construction. The backups are sometimes 4 or five miles long.
To avoid this going to your motels in Joliet, I suggest you take Laraway Rd., which is the first traffic light north of the track, west from Rt 53 to Brandon Rd. Go north, or right, on Brandon to RT 6. You do stand the risk of catching a train or boat on Brandon Rd. but, IMO, It's worth the risk to avoid the traffic tie ups on I 80.
Take Rt 6 left, or west to Larkin Ave. Turn north, or right, on Larkin to the motels near the I 80 interchange.
To go to the motels at I55 and Rt 30 by the Louis Joliet Mall, continue north on Larkin to RT 30 and go west, left, to the motels.
If you are staying at the I 80 and Houbolt/Empress Rd exit, stay on RT 6 westbound to Empress Rd and turn right to I 80.
If you are coming from the north on I 55, I strongly suggest you take I 355 south to I 80. Go west on I 80 to RT 53, then south to the track.
I hope this helps. If anyone needs any other help with directions, or recommendations for restaurants or anything else, either post it here or PM me.