Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for April 16, 2026
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026
The Will County Board met at an offsite hotel venue on Thursday, April 16, 2026, navigating a heavy agenda dominated by the controversial approval of multiple commercial solar facilities. Bound by recent state legislation and a direct court order, the Board approved special use permits for thousands of acres of solar development, while concurrently passing a resolution demanding state lawmakers return zoning authority back to local municipalities. Beyond the solar debate, the Board approved massive updates to the county’s business regulations governing adult entertainment and wireless telecommunication facilities, and greenlit millions in infrastructure spending.
School Health Center Grant Increased: The Board approved Resolution 26-110, appropriating an additional $96,926 in grant funds from the Illinois Department of Public Health. The funding will support salaries, supplies, and telecommunications for the School Health Center operated by the Community Health Center at Brooks Middle School in Bolingbrook. The total grant award now stands at $201,926.
Fire Protection District Appointments: County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant’s reappointments to various Fire Protection District Boards were unanimously approved. Andrew Fitzgerald and Michael Rittof were reappointed to the Channahon FPD; Lawrence Goodwin, Brian Hupe, William Moncrief, and William Weber to the Manhattan FPD; Gustave Bettenhausen and Donald Quick to the Monee FPD; James Kuzma to the Northwest Homer FPD; Thomas Shildhouse to the Steger Estates FPD; and Robert Bland Jr. and Heidi Hermes to the Wilmington FPD. All terms expire in May 2029.
Diamond Enterprise Zone Expanded: The Board approved Ordinance 26-087 and Resolution 26-088, authorizing a joint application to amend the boundaries of the Diamond Enterprise Zone. The expansion incorporates the Village of Braceville as a new unit of government within the zone, adding approximately 109.99 acres to promote regional economic development and job creation.
Aurora Electronics Recycling Agreement: The Board passed Resolution 26-089, executing an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Aurora. The agreement allows Aurora to utilize Will County’s excess capacity allotment under the Consumer Electronics Recycling Act (CERA) to host up to three one-day residential electronics collection events.
Naperville Radio System Access: Through Resolution 26-132, the Board authorized an agreement allowing the City of Naperville access to the Will County 800 MHz Countywide Radio System. The mutual aid agreement requires Naperville to abide by Will County Radio System Manager policies and prioritize public safety emergency traffic, without requiring financial compensation between the entities.
Scheer Road Bridge Replacement Contract Awarded: The Board approved Resolution 26-078 on March 19, 2026, confirming a $1,596,116.16 contract with “D” Construction, Inc. for improvements in the Green Garden Road District. The project consists of removing an existing bridge and constructing a new single-span concrete beam bridge on Scheer Road over Forked Creek (Section 21-07104-02-BR). The work will include full-depth hot-mix asphalt approaching the bridge, guardrails, and riprap.
Suicide Prevention First Responders Grant: The Board approved Resolution 26-074 on March 19, 2026, appropriating $32,107 in unexpended grant funds from the Illinois Department of Human Services. The Suicide Prevention First Responders grant is utilized by the Will County Health Department to increase access to peer support, mental health awareness, and intervention training for first responders and their families.
Circuit Court Technology Upgrade: The Board unanimously approved Resolution 26-072 on March 19, 2026, appropriating $50,000 into the Circuit Court’s FY2026 budget. The funds, awarded by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, will be used specifically to purchase new laptop computers and related technology for the court system.
Sweeping Business Code Cleanup: In a legislative housekeeping move on March 19, 2026, the Board passed a batch of ordinances updating and repealing various chapters of the Will County Code of Ordinances Title XI: Business Regulations. This included amendments to chapters governing Business Taxation (ORD 26-090), Peddlers and Solicitors (ORD 26-092), Food Establishment Sanitation (ORD 26-093), Cable Television (ORD 26-094), Raffle and Poker Runs (ORD 26-095), Bid Contractors (ORD 26-096), and Bath Houses and Massage Parlors (ORD 26-097). Additionally, the Board officially repealed Chapter 112, entirely eliminating the “Stunt Events” classification from the county code (ORD 26-091).
Altered Speed Zones for Cedar Road: The Board on April 16, 2026, approved Ordinances 26-116 and 26-117, revising and establishing altered speed zones along Cedar Road (CH 4) in New Lenox Township. Following a traffic investigation by the Will County Division of Transportation, the speed limit will be officially set to 45 MPH from Summerfield Drive to US Route 6.
Will County Investment Pool Surpasses $540 Million: According to the monthly financial reports placed on file from Will County Treasurer Tim Brophy, the county’s total investment portfolio holdings stood at $540,469,311.60 as of December 31, 2025. The funds are distributed across various assets, including $133 million in U.S. Agency bonds, $86.9 million in U.S. Treasury notes, $135 million in municipal bonds, and over $100 million in local government investment pools and money markets.
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