Will County Board Approves $2.7 Million Reserve Draw to Finalize 0% Tax Levy

Will County Board Meeting | December 4, 2025

Article Summary: The Will County Board unanimously voted to transfer approximately $2.78 million from cash reserves to balance the fiscal year 2026 budget. The move resolves a deficit created when the board previously voted to keep the property tax levy flat at 0% without reducing the corresponding spending plan.

Will County Budget Reconciliation Key Points:

• Budget Gap: The board approved using $2,778,649 from reserves to cover a deficit in the corporate fund.

• Zero Tax Increase: The action ensures a 0% property tax levy increase for county residents for the upcoming fiscal year.

• Healthy Reserves: Despite the withdrawal, county cash reserves remain at approximately 34% to 35%, well above the policy-mandated 25%.

• Unanimous Vote: The resolution passed 20-0 after an amendment to pinpoint the exact dollar amount needed.

JOLIET, Ill. — The Will County Board on Thursday, December 4, 2025, voted unanimously to authorize the use of cash reserves to balance the fiscal year 2026 budget, finalizing a decision to deliver a 0% property tax levy increase to residents.

The special meeting was called to reconcile a disconnect between the county’s spending plan and its revenue. In November, the board passed a budget designed for a 1.75% tax levy increase but simultaneously voted to set the levy increase at 0%. This created a deficit of roughly $2.8 million.

Board Member Destinee Ortiz (D-Romeoville) moved to amend the resolution to the exact figure needed to close the gap: $2,778,649, down slightly from the estimated $2.8 million originally listed on the agenda.

“The Will County Board hereby approves the transfer… from the cash reserves fund to the corporate fund to cover the obligations agreed upon for the FY2026 Budget,” the resolution stated.

Debate centered on the philosophy of using savings to pay for operational costs. Finance department staff, identified as Karen in the transcript, explained that while the county’s policy requires maintaining 25% of the corporate fund in reserves, the county currently holds approximately 34% to 35%.

Republicans argued that holding excess taxpayer money while raising taxes would be improper.

“We have a surplus in our reserves. I think it would be irresponsible to go to the taxpayers for more money when we’re already holding so much of their money,” said Board Member Frankie Pretzel (R-New Lenox). “We’re supposed to have 25% and we have 33%… It would be super irresponsible for us to go back for more.”

Board Member Judy Ogalla (R-Monee) echoed the sentiment, suggesting the funds would effectively cover capital projects rather than recurring salaries, leaving new construction revenue to handle operations. “It makes sense that we would go ahead and use those cash reserves to fund what we need to fund rather than going to the taxpayers for more money,” Ogalla said.

However, Democratic leadership expressed concern over the precedent of using savings to balance the budget.

“I do not agree that this should be a way of paying our bills,” said Board Member Herbert Brooks Jr. (D-Joliet), comparing it to a household overspending its monthly allowance and raiding a savings account.

Board Speaker Joe VanDuyne (D-Wilmington) supported the measure reluctantly to avoid a shutdown or service cuts but criticized the process that led to the special meeting.

“I believe the county board should not be looting its cash reserves as a matter of practice to fill funding holes created by lazy and reckless financial planning,” VanDuyne said. “It’s bad accounting. It’s bad government. And it’s also bad business.”

Despite the philosophical disagreements, the amended resolution passed 20-0.

Meeting Briefs:

Amendment Precision: Member Destinee Ortiz successfully amended the resolution to use an exact figure of $2,778,649 from cash reserves, rather than the estimated $2.8 million. Finance staff confirmed the precise amount was sufficient to balance the budget.

Reserve Levels Remain High: During questioning, finance staff confirmed that the county’s cash reserves are currently between 34% and 35% of the operating budget. This is significantly higher than the board’s mandatory policy of maintaining 25%, a surplus that several members cited as justification for not raising taxes.

Balich Proposes Budget Rule Change: Board Member Steve Balich suggested the board adopt a new resolution to govern future budget disputes. His proposal would mandate that if the board votes for a tax levy lower than the Executive’s proposed budget, county staff must automatically identify and implement the necessary spending cuts, arguing the board is “incapable” of agreeing on specific cuts during floor debate.