Local Green Garden News
County Rep Cites Solar Lawsuits, Grant Shortfalls as Key Issues Facing Will County
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Will County Board member Sherry Newquist reported that the county is navigating lawsuits related to solar farm approvals and anticipating budget challenges from the loss of federal grant money. Key Points: Newquist stated the county is involved in litigation over solar farm siting, which has created uncertainty for board members on how to vote…
Read MoreAssessor’s Office Hires Staff to Handle Workload After 6% Multiplier Hits Property Owners
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Following the application of a 6% property assessment multiplier across Green Garden Township, the assessor’s office has hired a new staff member to help manage the increased workload and resident inquiries. Key Points: Assessor Jane Bushong introduced new staff member Helen Selzer, a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer, to help address resident questions and appeals.…
Read MoreTownship Appoints Temporary FOIA Officer During Trustee’s Leave of Absence
ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Green Garden Township Board appointed resident Belinda Olszewski as a temporary, non-paid Administrative Assistant and FOIA Officer to fill the roles while Trustee Sarah Boxer is on a medical leave of absence. Key Points: Trustee Sarah Boxer, the township’s previous Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer, is on a temporary leave of absence…
Read MoreMeeting Summary and Briefs: Green Garden Township Board for August 11, 2025
The Green Garden Township Board pushed forward with plans for a new town hall and approved key budget transfers to support the assessor’s office during its August 11th meeting. Supervisor Dean Christofilos announced that formal paperwork had been submitted to Will County to transfer a $500,000 grant, originally for renovating the current building, to the…
Read MoreWill County Health Department Seeks $1 Million to Avert ‘Drastic’ Service Cuts from Expiring Grants
ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Will County Health Department is requesting an additional $1 million in county funding for its 2026 budget to prevent the elimination of 11 critical staff positions, warning that expiring grants will otherwise lead to significant cuts in core public health services.Key Points:• Due to expiring COVID-era and other non-recurring grants, the department…
Read MoreWill County Public Works Committee Unveils 25-Year Transportation Plan, Projects $258 Million Gap
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Will County officials have presented “Our Way Forward 2050,” a new long-range transportation plan that provides a 25-year vision for infrastructure projects while forecasting a $258 million shortfall in funding for all identified county roadway needs. Key Points: The plan projects $2.49 billion in revenue through 2050, with $2.18 billion available for capital projects…
Read MoreHealth Department Seeks $1 Million Levy Increase to Prevent “Weakened System”
Article Summary: The Will County Health Department is asking for a $1 million increase to its property tax levy to save 11 critical jobs that are at risk as post-pandemic federal grants expire. Officials warned that without the funding, core programs for maternal health, immunizations, and communicable disease control will be severely curtailed, returning the…
Read MoreWill County Advances Truck Repair Facility Plan on Manhattan Road Despite Resident Objections
Article Summary: A proposal to rezone nearly 14 acres on Manhattan Road for a truck repair facility advanced after receiving a recommendation for approval from the Will County Land Use & Development Committee, despite emotional testimony from neighboring residents concerned about noise, pollution, and safety. The committee approved the map amendment after the applicant’s attorney…
Read MoreIndiana Woman Identified as Victim in Fatal Wilmington-Peotone Road Crash
The Will County Coroner’s Office has officially identified the woman killed in Tuesday’s fatal crash on Wilmington-Peotone Road as 70-year-old Judith L. Stirm of Delphi, Indiana. In a statement, Coroner Laurie H. Summers reported that Stirm was pronounced deceased at 12:42 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the scene of the crash, located just…
Read MoreMultiple Agencies Rescue Person in Mental Health Crisis from Frankfort Pond
A person experiencing a mental health crisis was safely rescued from a pond near 80th Avenue in Lakeview Estates on Wednesday after a coordinated response by multiple emergency agencies. Frankfort Police responded to the initial call and worked alongside the Frankfort Fire Department, Mokena Fire Department, Manhattan Fire Department, Will County Sheriff’s Department and Trinity…
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