Will County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Will County Board approves clean energy zoning changes 20-2

The Will County Board on Aug. 20 approved text amendments to zoning regulations for battery energy storage, solar, and wind facilities, along with related fee schedule changes, by a 20-2 vote. The decision was the most consequential of the board's meeting, which also included road contracts, grant fund appropriations, and license plate camera agreements.

Clean energy zoning amendments

The board approved Ordinance 26-245, which updates zoning rules for battery energy storage, solar, and wind facilities, and adjusts associated fees. The vote was 20-2. No further details on the amendments were provided in the minutes.

Other board decisions

In other action, the board:

• Approved a road resurfacing contract with D Construction, Inc. for $282,366.70, 22-0.
• Approved a wetland/stream banking credit purchase with V3 Wetland Restoration, LLC for $197,000, 22-0.
• Approved a resolution amending the public bidding process (RES 26-267), 20-1.
• Approved license plate reading camera agreements with Mokena, Crete, Manhattan, Frankfort, Naperville, and Wilmington, each by a 14-8 vote.
• Failed a license plate camera agreement with Beecher (RES 26-263), 8-14.
• Denied a map amendment from C-2/R-2 to C-4 in Homer Glen (ORD 26-211), 16-6.
• Denied a refund request for zoning case ZC-25-128 (RES 26-244), 1-21.

Other recent meetings

Several other county bodies met in the past two weeks, but their minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are reported. These meetings included:

• **Landfill Committee (Aug. 11):** Received status updates on the RNG facility, the Fourth Compressor Project, and the proposed Prairie View RDF landfill expansion.
• **Ad-Hoc Cannabis Revenue Review (Aug. 11):** Discussed and voted on parameters for allocating and disbursing cannabis tax revenue (Item 26-5282).
• **Forest Preserve District Board (Aug. 13):** Considered ordinances for agricultural licenses, a land acquisition negotiation, a trail license, and an intergovernmental agreement for ecological restoration.
• **Executive Committee (Aug. 13):** Considered resolutions on the county's role in the annual tax sale, a new Equity Fund Fee for the County Treasurer, radio system access agreements, and raffle license bond waivers.
• **Republican Caucus (Aug. 18):** Discussed tax sale legislation (Public Act 104-0553) and reviewed County Board agendas.
• **Planning and Zoning Commission (Aug. 18):** Held a public hearing on variances, a map amendment, and temporary use permits.
• **Democratic Caucus (Aug. 19):** Reviewed the County Board agenda and discussed old business regarding U.C.C.I, NACo, and I.S.A.C.O.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

Will County committees weigh cannabis fund, license-plate cameras, and road projects

In the past two weeks, Will County committees met to consider a range of items, but no final decisions have been made — all agendas are pending, with minutes not yet published. The most consequential items on the table include the creation of a new cannabis fund committee, seven license-plate camera agreements, and more than $479,000 in road projects.

Public Works & Transportation

The Public Works & Transportation Committee on Aug. 4 is set to vote on seven intergovernmental agreements to place license-plate reading cameras on county highways for villages and cities including Joliet, Naperville, and Frankfort. The committee will also consider a $282,366.70 contract with “D” Construction, Inc. to resurface roads in New Lenox Township, and a $197,000 purchase of wetland credits from V3 Wetland Restoration, LLC for county highway projects. Additional items include $135K in design-engineering agreements for Laraway Road and Weber Road intersections, and approximately $130K in right-of-way appraisal and acquisition agreements for Gougar Road improvements.

Finance and Cannabis

The Special Executive Committee on July 28 discussed the proposed creation of the Ad Hoc Cannabis Fund Committee (Item 26-5199). The Finance Committee on Aug. 4 will review the Corporate Fund Budget versus actuals through May 31, and consider establishing a new special fund and appropriating grant funds in the Sheriff’s Budget, including opioid and Citgo grant funds, as well as stipend payments for elected officials. Separately, the Ad-Hoc Cannabis Revenue Review Committee will meet Aug. 11 to discuss and vote on parameters for allocating and disbursing cannabis tax revenue (Item 26-5282).

Planning and Zoning

The Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 4 will hold a public hearing on proposed text amendments for battery, solar, and wind energy facilities under the Clean and Reliable Grid Act. The commission will also review a variance request for a rear yard setback from 20 feet to 10 feet at 21359 W Sycamore St, Plainfield, and a temporary use permit for asphalt grinding storage at 13141 S. High Road, Lockport. The Land Use & Development Committee on Aug. 6 will discuss similar energy facility text amendments and a zoning refund request for Five Star Landscape Co. on New Avenue, Lockport.

Forest Preserve District

The Forest Preserve District Finance Committee on Aug. 6 will vote on two ordinances authorizing agricultural licenses: Ordinance No. 709 for six licenses under the 2027–2031 Farm License Program, and Ordinance No. 710 extending 21 licenses for the 2027 program. The committee will also consider Resolution No. 26-13 to begin negotiations on a preservation opportunity involving parcels KANK6A1–KANK6A22, and a schedule of bills totaling $2,482,930.76. The Operations Committee on the same day will consider a trail license with LJL Investments LLC for the Joliet Junction Trail near Mound Road, an intergovernmental agreement with Illinois DNR and Illinois Nature Preserves Commission for ecological restoration in the Braidwood-Wilmington Sands Area, and a resolution to name a pending acquisition in the Horse Creek Watershed.

Other Committees

The Legislative Committee on Aug. 4 will discuss draft 2027 federal and state legislative agendas and a resolution amending the public bidding process. The Committee of the Whole on Aug. 5 will discuss tax sale legislation (Public Act 104-0553, HB4537). The Historic Preservation Commission on Aug. 5 will discuss landmark nominations for 1815 and 1807 Brandon Road in Joliet. The Public Health & Safety Committee on Aug. 6 will receive informational reports on behavioral health, overdose prevention, and nursing home operations — no formal decisions are listed.

Coming up

• **Aug. 11** – Landfill Committee: updates on RNG facility, Fourth Compressor Project, and Prairie View RDF expansion.
• **Aug. 11** – Ad-Hoc Cannabis Revenue Review: vote on cannabis revenue allocation parameters.
• **Aug. 13** – Forest Preserve District Board: vote on farm licenses, land acquisition negotiations, and trail license.
• **Aug. 18** – Republican Caucus: discussion of tax sale legislation and County Board agenda.
• **Aug. 19** – Democratic Caucus: review of County Board agenda and old business on U.C.C.I, NACo, and I.S.A.C.O.

Will County committees weigh $479K in road projects and license-plate camera agreements as recent meeting minutes remain unpublished

Will County residents will see several consequential votes next week, including roughly $479,000 in road and wetland spending and agreements to place license-plate reading cameras on county highways. Minutes from three recent committee meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes from those sessions are not available.

Recent meetings — agendas only, no outcomes yet

Three committees met in the past two weeks, but minutes have not been published for any of them. What was on the agendas:

Planning and Zoning Commission (July 21) — A public hearing was scheduled on three zoning variance requests: an accessory building area increase from 1,200 to 1,800 sq ft and a north side yard setback reduction from 10 to 5 ft at 2113 Lakewood Drive, Wilmington; a wall height increase within a street setback from 4 to 20 ft at 525 Rowell Ave, Joliet; and a north side yard setback reduction from 20 to 12 ft at 34357 S. Rivals Road, Wilmington.

Stormwater Management Planning Committee (July 23) — The committee was set to approve minutes from its April 23, May 28, and June 25 meetings and consider canceling four Plainfield Township Highway Department projects under the 50/50 Project Program: Fidayview Subdivision, Lily Cache Acres, Fond Du Lac, and New Lenox Park District Drain Tile. The Harris Drive Stormwater Final Study Report was also listed for discussion.

Special Executive Committee (July 28) — The sole agenda item was 26-5199, approving the creation of the Ad Hoc Cannabis Fund Committee.

Coming up

Public Works & Transportation (Aug. 4) — The busiest agenda of the week. The committee will vote on seven intergovernmental agreements to place license-plate reading cameras on county highways for Mokena, Crete, Manhattan, Wilmington, Beecher, Frankfort, Joliet, and Naperville. It will also consider a $282,366.70 contract with "D" Construction, Inc. to resurface roads in New Lenox Township, a $197,000 purchase of wetland credits from V3 Wetland Restoration, LLC for county highway projects, $135,000 in design-engineering agreements for Laraway Road and Weber Road intersections, and right-of-way appraisal and acquisition agreements totaling approximately $130,000 for Gougar Road improvements.

Finance Committee (Aug. 4) — Will review the Corporate Fund Budget versus actuals through May 31 and consider establishing a new special fund and appropriating grant funds — including Opioid Grant Funds and Citgo Grant Funds — in the Sheriff's Budget. Appropriating stipend payments for elected officials is also listed.

Legislative Committee (Aug. 4) — Will consider Resolution 26-5262, amending the public bidding process, and review draft 2027 federal and state legislative agendas and carryovers.

Planning and Zoning Commission (Aug. 4) — Public hearing on proposed text amendments for battery, solar, and wind energy facilities under the Clean and Reliable Grid Act. Also: a variance for rear yard setback from 20 to 10 feet at 21359 W Sycamore St, Plainfield; a temporary use permit for asphalt grinding storage at 13141 S. High Road, Lockport; and a review of land use and building fee schedules.

Capital Improvements & IT (Aug. 4) — Discussion of an AI Policy Report, the Capital Improvements 5-Year Plan, and a facilities update for August 2026.

Committee of the Whole (Aug. 5) — Discussion of tax sale legislation under Public Act 104-0553 (HB4537), plus approval of July 13 Strategic Plan Workshop minutes and July 14 Will County Land Bank minutes.

Historic Preservation Commission (Aug. 5) — Discussion of landmark nominations for 1815 and 1807 Brandon Road, Joliet, and an update on the City of Joliet Historic Context Study (Item 26-4604).

Public Health & Safety Committee (Aug. 6) — Informational reports only: behavioral health and overdose prevention for July and August 2026, Sunny Hill Nursing Home reports for May, July, and August, Health Department reports for July and August, and Animal Protection Services for August.

Land Use & Development Committee (Aug. 6) — Proposed text amendments for Battery Energy Storage, Commercial Solar, and Commercial Wind Energy Facilities; a refund request for Zoning Case ZC-25-128 regarding Five Star Landscape Co. on New Avenue, Lockport; an LRMP informational update; and review of building and land use fee schedules.

Landfill Committee (Aug. 11) — Status updates on the RNG Facility, the Fourth Compressor Project, and the proposed Prairie View RDF landfill expansion.

Will County Board Considers Land Bank, Solar Permit Denial, and Road Contract in Busy Mid-July Session

Will County's mid-July government activity centered on a packed July 16 County Board agenda that included a proposed Will County Land Bank, a special use permit denial for a solar energy facility in Monee Township, and a $227,930.71 road improvement contract. Minutes for all meetings in this period have not yet been published, so final outcomes are not confirmed by official records.

County Board Meeting — July 16

The Will County Board's July 16 agenda listed several land use and financial items:

• **Solar energy facility in Monee Township**: A special use permit for a commercial solar energy facility was listed as denied on the agenda.
• **Homer Glen map amendment**: A map amendment request for vacant property in Homer Glen was scheduled for review.
• **Firearms dealership in Minooka**: A special use request for a firearms dealership home occupation in Minooka was on the agenda.
• **Schoolhouse Road contract**: A contract award to P.T. Ferro Construction Co. for $227,930.71 for Schoolhouse Road improvements was listed.
• **Will County Land Bank**: A resolution establishing a Will County Land Bank was on the agenda, following a July 14 Committee of the Whole discussion on the same topic.

Because minutes have not been published, it is not yet possible to confirm which items were approved, denied, or tabled.

Committee of the Whole — July 13 and July 14

The Committee of the Whole met twice in consecutive days. On July 13, Laurie Swilley presented a Strategic Plan Workshop (item 26-5122). On July 14, the committee held an informational discussion on establishing a Will County Land Bank (item 26-4979-02), which preceded the resolution appearing on the July 16 board agenda.

Caucus Meetings — July 14 and July 15

Both the Republican and Democratic caucuses discussed the Capital Improvements 5-Year Plan (item 25-4003-01). The Republican Caucus, led by presenter Mica Freeman, also reviewed the upcoming County Board agenda across categories including Land Use & Development, Finance, Public Works & Transportation, Public Health & Safety, Legislative, Capital Improvements & IT, Landfill, and Executive. The Democratic Caucus discussed the same plan plus the County Board agenda (item 26-4414) and received updates on U.C.C.I. (item 26-4741), NACo (item 26-4742), and I.S.A.C.O. (item 26-4743). Neither caucus scheduled final votes.

Planning and Zoning Commission — July 21

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on three zoning variance requests:

• **2113 Lakewood Drive, Wilmington**: Accessory building area increase from 1,200 to 1,800 sq ft and north side yard setback reduction from 10 to 5 ft.
• **525 Rowell Ave, Joliet**: Wall height within street setback increase from 4 to 20 ft.
• **34357 S. Rivals Road, Wilmington**: North side yard setback reduction from 20 to 12 ft.

Stormwater Management Planning Committee — July 23

The committee considered canceling four Plainfield Township Highway Department projects under the 50/50 Project Program: Fidayview Subdivision, Lily Cache Acres, Fond Du Lac, and New Lenox Park District Drain Tile. The committee also discussed the Harris Drive Stormwater Final Study Report and was scheduled to approve minutes from its April 23, May 28, and June 25 meetings.

Coming Up

July 28 — Special Executive Committee: The committee will consider item 26-5199, which proposes creating an Ad Hoc Cannabis Fund Committee. This is the only meeting currently scheduled in the next two weeks.

Will County Board Agenda Indicates Solar Permit Denial and Land Bank Resolution

The Will County Board's July 16 agenda indicates the denial of a special use permit for a commercial solar energy facility in Monee Township and the consideration of a resolution establishing a Will County Land Bank. The board also addressed a $227,930.71 contract award to P.T. Ferro Construction Co. for Schoolhouse Road improvements. Minutes for all recent county meetings are not yet published, so outcomes are based on agenda summaries.

County Board and Executive Committee

The Will County Board agenda for July 16 lists a special use permit denial for the commercial solar facility in Monee Township, a map amendment request for vacant property in Homer Glen, and a special use request for a firearms dealership home occupation in Minooka. The board also considered the $227,930.71 contract to P.T. Ferro Construction Co. for Schoolhouse Road safety improvements.

The Executive Committee met on July 9 to consider successor collective bargaining agreements with AFSCME Council 31 Local 1028 for the Executive Branch and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police Chapter #354 for Court Security Officers. The committee also reviewed adoption of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Annual Action Plan for Program Year 2026 and a package of eight ordinances amending Title XV Land Usage code chapters.

Forest Preserve District

The Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners and its committees met on July 9. Agendas include a $488,000 contract award to Helm Mechanical of Westmont for HVAC replacement at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center. The Finance Committee considered a schedule of bills totaling $3,279,631.05. The board also reviewed resolutions for a cooperative law-enforcement agreement with the USDA Forest Service, surplus equipment disposal, and an electric facilities service acknowledgment between ComEd and V3 for the Thorn Creek Headwaters Preserve wetland mitigation bank.

Planning, Zoning, and Land Use

The Planning and Zoning Commission met July 7 to review four land use requests, including variances for lot frontage and accessory building area at 2 St Clair Ln in New Lenox, a special use permit for a home occupation firearms dealership at 25734 W Hickory Ct in Minooka, and a temporary use permit for a chicken coop at 19561 Beechnut Drive in Mokena.

The Land Use & Development Committee met July 9 to consider the Monee Township solar facility permit, the Homer Glen map amendment, and proposed text amendments to the Clean and Reliable Grid Act. The committee also discussed battery and commercial solar energy facility regulations.

Other County Business

The OPEB Committee met July 7 to review a second-quarter 2026 investment report and an actuarial valuation report for other post-employment benefits. The Committee of the Whole held a Strategic Plan Workshop on July 13 and discussed establishing a Will County Land Bank on July 14. Both the Republican and Democratic Caucuses discussed the Capital Improvements 5-Year Plan on July 14 and 15.

Coming Up

• **July 21:** The Planning and Zoning Commission Committee will hold a public hearing on three variance requests in Wesley and Joliet Townships, including properties on Lakewood Drive and Rowell Ave.
• **July 23:** The Stormwater Management Planning Committee will consider canceling four Plainfield Township Highway Department projects and discuss the Harris Drive Stormwater Final Study Report.