Local Green Garden News
IDOT Plans to Invest Over $1.3 Billion in Will County Roads Through 2031
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has allocated over $1.3 billion for road and bridge projects in Will County over the next six years as part of its newly released Multi-Year Program. County officials also announced the receipt of a $750,000 state…
Read MoreCommittee Advances 50% Increase in Mental Health Levy on 4-3 Vote
Will County Finance Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Finance Committee on Tuesday narrowly approved a proposed $12 million levy for the Community Mental Health Board, a 50% increase from the previous year. The measure, which aims to bolster funding for mental health services across the county, passed on a contentious…
Read MoreLooming State Energy Bill Threatens to Further Limit County Control Over Solar and Wind Projects
Will County Legislative Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: A state energy bill likely to be considered during the fall veto session or next spring could further strip Will County of its authority to regulate large-scale solar and wind projects, according to a report from the county’s state lobbyist. The proposed legislation aims to…
Read MoreControversial Immigrant Rights Resolution Postponed by Will County Board After Heated Debate
Will County Executive Committee Meeting October 9, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee voted to indefinitely postpone a contentious resolution titled “Declaring Will County’s Commitment to Ensure Communities Can Live and Work Without Fear” after it drew accusations of containing false information and sparked a heated debate over its purpose and necessity. The…
Read MoreWill 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 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 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 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 MoreCounty Board Abates Over $25 Million in Property Taxes for Bond Payments
Article Summary: Will County property taxpayers will be spared over $25 million in taxes for the 2026 payment year after the County Board voted to abate taxes for six separate general obligation bonds. The board will instead use other county revenue sources to make the debt service payments, a common fiscal practice that avoids a…
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