Local Manhattan News
Citing Liability Concerns, Will County Committee Postpones Vote on Septic System Ordinance
Article Summary: The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee postponed a vote on updating its sewer and sewage disposal ordinance after a member raised significant concerns about the county’s liability for soil tests it performs for septic systems. The committee will invite officials from the Will County Health Department to its next meeting to explain…
Read MoreWill County Moves to Repeal Obsolete 1972 Fire Hydrant Ordinance
Article Summary: An ordinance from 1972 regulating the placement and specifications of fire hydrants in Will County is set to be repealed after the Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee approved its removal from the county code. County officials explained that the authority for such regulations now rests with local fire districts, making the decades-old county ordinance…
Read MoreReport Finding Few Trucks Littering Sparks Debate on Cleanup Responsibility
Article Summary: A Will County report found that a very small percentage of waste-hauling trucks are the source of litter on roadways near the county landfill, sparking a debate among officials over who is ultimately responsible for cleaning up the area. While county staff detailed corrective actions taken with trucking companies, some board members insisted…
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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