Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Landfill Committee for February 10, 2026
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | February 10, 2026
The Will County Landfill Committee met on Tuesday to address legal preparations for the upcoming landfill expansion and operational needs at the Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility. The meeting was dominated by a presentation from Special Assistant State’s Attorney Charles Helsten, who detailed the “ethical wall” required to separate the County Board’s role as decision-makers from the county staff’s role as applicants. The committee also reviewed financial data showing the RNG plant is operating at a net loss after debt service, despite record production numbers in late 2025.
In addition to the legal briefing, the committee took decisive action to improve the RNG plant’s reliability by approving a major equipment purchase.
Brief: Heavy Equipment Purchase Paused
The committee agreed to pause the proposed purchase of a manlift and telehandler for the RNG facility, opting to continue leasing the equipment for the immediate future. Director Dave Hartke presented quotes showing a cost of $90,000 for a manlift and $252,000 for a telehandler. Currently, the county leases these items for approximately $3,000 per month. Hartke suggested waiting until later in the fiscal year to reassess finances before committing to the $342,000 capital expense. “I think that would be the conservative approach at this point,” Hartke said. The committee directed staff to attempt to bypass third-party markups by contacting Sunbelt Rentals directly to negotiate a purchase price for the currently rented units.
Brief: Minutes and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM with a quorum present. Members in attendance included Herbert Brooks Jr. (D-Joliet), Dawn Bullock (D-Plainfield), Kelly Hickey (D-Naperville), Sherry Newquist (D-Steger), Dave Oxley (R-Lockport), and Frankie Pretzel (R-New Lenox). The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the January 13, 2026, meeting. There were no public comments.
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Judge: SCOTUS ruling doesn’t necessarily end block on Trump DEI orders
Illinois quick hits: Man charged with threatening Trump; judge grants injunction in shelter funding case
WATCH: IL GOP Rep: Sanctuary expansion bill may expose many to civil lawsuits
WATCH: Family, friends remember Bailey family at celebration of life
WATCH: Amid criticism, Pritzker defends using expletive to tell Trump where to go
New Lenox Fire District to Hire EMTs to Combat Paramedic Shortage
Election integrity advocates urge reform after Illinois scores low in global survey
WATCH: Pritzker’s rhetoric criticized; tax amnesty program; status of Guard lawsuit
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker uses expletive with teachers union; Paprocki reacts to assisted suicide bill
New Lenox D122 Board Approves $74.1M Budget for 2025-26 School Year
New Lenox Park District Advances $1.5 Million Bond Plan for Playground Overhauls and Future Projects
Appeals court: IT firm can’t make insurer foot bill for $28M face scan deal
