Posts by Newspaper Staff
Will County’s Gas-to-Energy Plant Reports Nearly $460,000 Net Loss Amid Operational Setbacks
Will County Finance Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: Will County’s Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) plant at the county landfill posted a net loss of nearly $460,000 for the fiscal year through August, after a summer plagued by mechanical failures, power outages, and maintenance issues that hampered production. Despite the challenges, officials remain optimistic…
Read MoreWill County to Draft First-Ever Policy on Artificial Intelligence Use
Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board’s Capital Improvements & IT Committee has initiated the process of drafting a comprehensive policy to govern the use of artificial intelligence in county operations. The move aims to proactively manage the technology’s risks and benefits, with a focus…
Read MoreWill County Sees 50% Drop in Opioid Deaths, But Alarming Rise in Suicides
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: Will County is experiencing a dramatic 50% reduction in opioid overdose deaths compared to last year, a success officials attribute to proactive naloxone distribution and community programs. However, Coroner Laurie Summers reported a simultaneous and “condensing” increase in suicides, with rates on…
Read MoreWill County Board Backs Effort to Rename ‘Stigmatizing’ Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
Will County Executive Committee Meeting October 9, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board has thrown its support behind a regional effort to rename the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, passing a resolution that backs a campaign to remove the “stigmatizing” term “Sanitary” from the waterway’s official title. The initiative, led by the Friends of…
Read MoreAccess Will County Dial-a-Ride on Track for Full County-Wide Service in 2026
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Access Will County dial-a-ride program is set for a major expansion in 2026, with plans to incorporate New Lenox, DuPage, and Wheatland townships and begin a five-year phase-in for the five central Will County townships. The expansion aims to create a…
Read MoreDivided Will County Board Authorizes Condemnation for 143rd Street Widening
Article Summary: Following intense debate and emotional public testimony, the Will County Board narrowly approved a resolution to begin condemnation proceedings for the controversial widening of 143rd Street in Homer Glen. The 12-7 vote allows the State’s Attorney’s Office to acquire private property needed for the project, despite unified opposition from Homer Glen officials and…
Read MoreWill County Committee Approves Preliminary $161.6M Tax Levy on Split Vote Amid Heated Debate Over Spending
Will County Finance Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Finance Committee on Tuesday narrowly approved a preliminary $161.6 million property tax levy for 2025, which projects a lower tax rate but an overall $5 million increase in collections due to rising property values. The 4-3 vote followed a contentious debate that…
Read MoreWill County Eyes Major Overhaul to Consolidate Scattered Government Offices
Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: Will County officials are formally debating a new facilities master plan to address aging buildings and dozens of scattered departments, with options including a new, consolidated county building in downtown Joliet. The Board’s Capital Improvements & IT Committee on Tuesday discussed the…
Read MoreSheriff’s Office Reports Crime Down 10%, Cites Body Cam Footage as Main Challenge of Safety Act
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Sheriff’s Office reported a nearly 10% overall drop in crime compared to the same period last year, though proactive enforcement has led to a 700% increase in child pornography cases. An official told a county committee that the biggest…
Read MoreWill County Considers Moving Land Use Public Hearings Away from Full Board Meetings
Will County Executive Committee Meeting October 9, 2025 Article Summary: A proposal to move the final public hearing for zoning and land use cases from the full Will County Board meeting to the Land Use & Development Committee sparked a debate on Tuesday about government efficiency versus public accessibility. Proponents argue the change would streamline…
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