Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for October 16, 2025

Will County Board Regular Meeting | October 16, 2025

The Will County Board took major action on property taxes at its meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, narrowly voting to approve a 0% increase to the county’s property tax levy for the upcoming fiscal year. The decision followed a lengthy and passionate debate, with a slim majority of board members overriding a proposed 2% inflationary increase in a bid to provide relief to taxpayers. The move was met with warnings from the County Executive about potential defaults on legal settlements and shortfalls in funding for workers’ compensation. For a detailed account of the debate, read the full story here.

In another significant financial decision, the board scaled back a proposed funding increase for the Will County Community Mental Health (708) Board. After debating a request to raise the board’s levy from $8 million to $12 million, members reached a compromise, settling on a $10 million levy. The vote reflected a division between those prioritizing expanding mental health services and others advocating for greater fiscal caution and accountability. More details on this decision can be found in our comprehensive article. The board also approved a major $10.4 million contract for road improvements on Bell Road and heard an update from the Regional Office of Education on new school safety measures.

Frankfort Liquor License Increased for New Business
The board approved a measure to increase the number of available Class B liquor licenses from seven to eight. The change was requested to accommodate Ace & Vine, Inc., a new business located at 19816 S. Harlem Avenue in Frankfort Township. According to a memo from the County Executive’s office, the applicant has completed the necessary application packet and is awaiting a final occupancy certificate.

New Speed Limits Set for Township Roads
The board passed three ordinances establishing new, lower speed limits on township-maintained roads. In a hyper-local change, a 30 MPH speed limit will be established on 78th Avenue from North Avenue south to a point 830 feet north of US Route 30 in Frankfort Township. New speed limits were also approved for two roads in Wesley Township: Ballou Road will be set at 45 MPH, and Lakewood Drive will be set at 25 MPH.

State Lobbying Contract Renewed
The board authorized a one-year contract renewal with Mac Strategies Group, Inc. to provide state lobbying services for Will County. The firm will represent the county’s interests before the Illinois General Assembly and state agencies at a monthly rate of $5,000, for a total annual cost of $60,000. The contract runs from October 18, 2025, to October 17, 2026.

Board Supports Renaming of Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
A resolution supporting the campaign to rename the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal was unanimously passed. The effort, led by the “Redefining the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal Coalition,” seeks to remove the stigmatizing term “Sanitary” from the waterway’s name to better reflect its current ecological, cultural, and economic role in the region. The board’s resolution encourages the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to give full consideration to the proposal.

Four-Unit Apartment Building Approved in Joliet Township
Following the recommendation of the Land Use and Development Committee, the board approved a map amendment and a special use permit for a four-unit apartment building in Joliet Township. The vacant property, located at the corner of Algonquin Street and Copperfield Avenue, will be rezoned from R-5 to R-6 to accommodate the multi-unit structure proposed by owner Marcos D. Bibian.

Routine Financial Measures Approved
The board approved several routine financial resolutions from its consent agenda. These included various budget transfers and appropriations for the Will County Health Department, the Coroner’s Office, the Veteran’s Assistance Commission, and the Laraway Communication Center. The board also authorized appropriations for funds on hand in the Debt Service and Indemnity Fund budgets and passed a trustee resolution related to a delinquent tax program.