Local Manhattan News
Draft County Federal Agenda Opposes Sharing Medicaid Patient Data with ICE
Article Summary: A proposed federal policy platform presented to the Will County Board takes a hard line against a federal agreement that allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access the personal data of Medicaid enrollees, citing privacy concerns. ICE/Medicaid Key Points: The Document: This stance is included in the draft Federal Legislative Agenda, which defines the…
Read MoreCounty Board Debates Legislative Agendas; State Agenda Passes, Federal Agenda Sent Back
Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board engaged in a vigorous and at times confusing debate over its 2026 legislative priorities, ultimately passing an amended State Legislative Agenda while sending the Federal Legislative Agenda back to committee. The meeting was marked by complex parliamentary maneuvers, debates over grammar,…
Read MoreFreight Clusters Drive Push for Overhaul of Wilmington-Peotone Road; County Advances Broader 2050 Plan
Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: Citing the emergence of “new freight clusters,” Will County is seeking federal support for a massive study to redesign 22 miles of the Wilmington-Peotone Road corridor. Simultaneously, the Board approved immediate drain tile investigations for the route and outlined a broader 25-year master plan for…
Read MoreLobbyist Updates: State Session Resumes; Transit Safety Concerns Raised
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: State lobbyists briefed the Will County Legislative Committee on the upcoming General Assembly session, noting a likely focus on the budget and data center energy needs. During the discussion, Member Julie Berkowicz raised concerns about crime on mass transit systems and the lack…
Read MoreBoard Members Debate “Commitment to Truth” in Media Resolution
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: A proposal to demand the reinstatement of the “Fairness Doctrine” for news media sparked a philosophical debate on the role of government in journalism during the Legislative Committee meeting. While the specific resolution was withdrawn, members agreed to include a general statement supporting…
Read MoreExecutive Committee: Speaker VanDuyne and Member Butler Clash Over Removal of Committee Chair
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | January 8, 2026 Article Summary: A heated exchange erupted during the January 8 Executive Committee meeting when Member Daniel Butler challenged Speaker Joe VanDuyne’s authority to remove Member Destinee Ortiz from her committee chair position. VanDuyne maintained that as Speaker, he holds the sole authority to appoint and…
Read MoreCapital Imp Committee: Begins Drafting Policy to Regulate Artificial Intelligence in County Government
Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary:The Will County Board Capital Improvements and IT Committee began formulating a comprehensive policy regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by county employees. Members discussed establishing strict guardrails to protect jobs, ensure data accuracy, and maintain human oversight in government operations. AI Policy…
Read MoreExecutive Committee: Update to Land Resource Management Plan; Solar Farms and Rural Zoning Dominate Discussion
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | January 8, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee initiated the first major update to the county’s Land Resource Management Plan since 2011. Board members urged consultants to prioritize stricter regulations on solar farms, protections for property rights in unincorporated areas, and the creation of zoning classifications…
Read MoreWill County Committee Adds Path to Citizenship Support to Federal Agenda
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Legislative Committee voted on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, to amend its federal legislative agenda to include support for a “clear path to citizenship” for immigrants. The decision followed a debate regarding the county’s purview on federal matters and the…
Read MoreHealth Department Outlines Major Reduction in Consensus Vaccine Schedule
Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | January 7, 2026 Article Summary: Will County Health Department Executive Director Elizabeth Bilotta clarified changes to the childhood immunization schedule, noting a reduction in “consensus” vaccines aimed at rebuilding public trust. While the recommended list has shrunk, insurance will still cover all available vaccines. Vaccine…
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