Local Manhattan News
JJC Receives Clean Audit, Reports $21.6 Million Increase in Net Position
Joliet Junior College Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:Joliet Junior College received a “clean unmodified audit opinion” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the highest level of assurance possible, and reported a $21.6 million increase in its overall net position, indicating strong financial health. FY25 Audit Key Points: The college received an…
Read MoreWill County Board Passes 0% Tax Levy, Creating “Unbalanced” Budget Crisis
Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: In a contentious fiscal showdown, the Will County Board voted to keep the corporate property tax levy flat, rejecting a proposed inflationary increase despite having just passed a budget that relied on that revenue. The move forces the county to either cut operational costs significantly or…
Read MoreZoning Cases in Crete and Manhattan Townships Postponed to December 16
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 18, 2025 Article Summary:Two zoning cases, one in Crete Township and another in Manhattan Township, were postponed by the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission due to a lack of a full quorum. A commissioner’s recusal left only three members available to vote on the matters,…
Read MoreWill County Executive Committee Delays Vote on School Choice Referendum
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | November 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board’s Executive Committee on Thursday, November 13, 2025, postponed a decision on whether to place an advisory referendum on the March 2026 primary ballot regarding a federal school choice tax credit program, opting to continue the discussion next month. Educational Choice…
Read MoreWill County Saves $5.7 Million in Bond Refinancing, Maintains High Credit Ratings
Will County Finance Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: A recent bond transaction successfully saved Will County over $5.7 million in future debt payments, while a presentation from the county’s financial advisor confirmed its strong financial position and high credit ratings. The refinancing deal involved a complex combination of refunding older bonds and buying…
Read MoreState Veto Session Passes Energy Bill Limiting County Zoning, Approves Toll Hike for Mass Transit
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Legislative Committee for November 4, 2025 Article Summary: A state lobbyist reported to Will County that the Illinois General Assembly passed a major energy bill during its fall veto session that further limits county authority over siting solar projects. Separately, a mass transit funding deal was approved, which will be…
Read MoreCommission Approves Peotone-Area Farmhouse Split, Overruling Staff’s “Spot Zoning” Concerns
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a request to rezone a 1.75-acre portion of a larger farm in Wilton Township, allowing a family trust to sell a farmhouse separately from the remaining farmland. The decision came despite a recommendation for denial…
Read MoreWill County Finance Committee Hits Impasse on 2025 Tax Levy, Postpones Budget Votes
Will County Finance Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Finance Committee postponed votes on the 2025 tax levy and the 2026 budget after a contentious debate revealed a deadlock over a proposed 0% levy increase. Proponents of the freeze cited taxpayer relief, while opponents warned it would create a multi-million dollar…
Read MoreFederal Lobbyists Brief Will County on Government Shutdown, Warn of SNAP and TSA Disruptions
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Legislative Committee for November 4, 2025 Article Summary: Will County’s federal lobbyists reported that the ongoing government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, is creating uncertainty for SNAP benefits and could threaten TSA agent pay during the busy Thanksgiving travel season. A potential deal is reportedly forming in the…
Read MoreWill County Committee Advances Gougar Road Bridge Project with Over $540,000 in Agreements
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved two key agreements for the Gougar Road bridge project in New Lenox, authorizing over $300,000 for supplemental design engineering and an estimated $240,000 to reimburse Nicor Gas for relocating facilities. Gougar Road Project Key Points: A supplemental…
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