Local New Lenox News
Will County Kicks Off Comprehensive Land Resource Management Plan Update with Focus on Proactive Zoning and Environmental Justice
Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee held a special workshop to kick off the county’s first major Land Resource Management Plan (LRMP) update since 2001. County Board members urged consultants to draft a plan that shifts the county…
Read MoreInfighting and Calls for Resignation Disrupt Will County Board Meeting
Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: Calls for the resignation of a Will County Board member over a recent misdemeanor conviction derailed the end of the board’s meeting, prompting reprimands from leadership and pleas to restore professional decorum. Board Decorum Key Points: Board members Steve Balich and Mark V. Revis publicly…
Read MoreWill County Land Use Committee Splits Votes on Massive Earthrise Solar Projects Amid Intense Public Opposition
Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | April 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Tuesday faced a marathon session dominated by two massive solar farm proposals from Earthrise Energy, ultimately advancing the 2,258-acre Plum Valley Solar project while deadlocking on the 6,099-acre Pride of the…
Read MoreJJC Board Approves Fall 2026 Course Fees Amid Debate Over Student Costs
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | March 11, 2026 Article Summary: The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees approved a series of course fee increases for the Fall 2026 semester to cover surging material costs, despite pushback from some trustees regarding the financial burden on students. Course Fee Increases Key Points: The board approved…
Read MoreWill County Previews ‘GuideWill’ Comprehensive Resource Management Plan
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 2026 Article Summary: Will County’s Land Use Department unveiled the branding, interactive tools, and initial timeline for its updated Resource Management Plan, scheduling a series of spring listening sessions across multiple townships and targeted meetings with agricultural stakeholders. GuideWill Key Points: The new comprehensive county plan…
Read MoreWill County Targets May Draft for Comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Policy
Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | March 2026 Article Summary:Will County is moving closer to adopting a formal Artificial Intelligence policy, with IT staff planning to deliver a comprehensive draft by May to establish guardrails for the technology’s use by county employees. AI Policy Report Key Points: A “redline” draft of AI directives establishes…
Read MoreWill County Closes Out $16.2 Million Federal Rental Assistance Program, Transitions to Local Funding
Will County Finance Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: Will County has officially closed out its massive federal Emergency Rental Assistance program after distributing millions to keep nearly 2,000 households housed during recent crises. Moving forward, the county is utilizing local cannabis tax revenue to fund a scaled-down housing stabilization effort while facing skyrocketing…
Read MoreExecutive Committee Advances Sweeping Overhaul of Will County Business Regulations
Will County Executive Committee Meeting | March 12, 2026 Article Summary: Will County is poised to modernize its business regulations following the Executive Committee’s unanimous approval of a massive ordinance overhaul. The updates repeal obsolete taxes and rewrite rules governing food establishments, cable television, and local contractors. Will County Ordinance Overhaul Key Points: The committee approved…
Read MoreWill County Leaders Debate New Construction to Escape $1.2 Million in Leases
Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | March 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Capital Improvements and IT Committee is aggressively exploring options to consolidate county offices and exit leased properties, sparking a debate over where to build a new government campus and how to fund it. Capital Improvements 5-Year Plan Key Points: Will County…
Read MoreOpioid Settlement Grants Funnel Nearly $600,000 to Local Police and Community Programs
Will County Finance Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: Will County is distributing a significant portion of its opioid settlement funds to hyper-local agencies, including the Peotone and Manhattan police departments, to fund life-saving training, data software, and community surveillance systems. Will County Opioid Program Key Points: The Will County Opioid Program (WCOP) has…
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