Legislative Committee Adopts 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda

Legislative Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026

Article Summary: The Will County Legislative Committee finalized and approved the 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda, outlining the county’s top priorities for Congress. The agenda emphasizes the need for increased funding for affordable housing, homelessness services, and critical infrastructure projects while adopting the National Association of Counties (NACo) top ten priorities.

2026 Federal Agenda Key Points:

• Infrastructure: The county seeks funding for the Laraway Road and Gougar Road corridor projects, alongside a push for a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization bill.

• Housing & Homelessness: Priorities include increased support for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), rejecting cuts to HUD programs, and expanding Emergency Solutions Grants.

• Public Safety: The agenda calls for restoring Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) to a full 50% federal cost-share and increasing funding for Port Security Grants.

• Immigration: A newly added position statement supports “strong immigration policies that provide a clear path to citizenship.”

• NACo Alignment: The board formally adopted NACo’s top ten priorities, which include strengthening intergovernmental partnerships and enacting a bipartisan farm bill.

The Will County Legislative Committee on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, formally adopted its 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda, setting the stage for the county’s advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. The comprehensive document outlines the county’s stance on issues ranging from transportation funding to public health and immigration.

A significant portion of the agenda focuses on community development and housing. The county is urging Congress to increase funding for affordable housing and homelessness services, citing the critical shortage of rental housing in the region. Specifically, the agenda supports the expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and opposes any cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“Without access to affordable housing and consistent support, low-income renters are forced to make difficult choices,” the agenda states. “Housing instability ripples out to impact school districts… employment instability, and food insecurity.”

During previous discussions, the committee debated the language surrounding “institutional investors” in the housing market. The final adopted language clarifies that the county supports HUD subsidies that encourage institutional investment specifically “in affordable housing,” aiming to differentiate beneficial development from speculative buying that drives up costs.

The agenda also prioritizes major transportation projects, including the widening and modernization of the Laraway Road and Gougar Road corridors. The county is seeking federal grants to support these initiatives, which are seen as vital for managing the region’s massive freight traffic.

In a move to align with broader county interests, the committee incorporated the National Association of Counties (NACo) top ten priorities into its own agenda. This includes calls for a multi-year farm bill, flexible federal investments, and support for behavioral health outcomes.

The committee also solidified its stance on immigration, adding a succinct position statement: “The Will County Board supports strong immigration policies that provide a clear path to citizenship.”

With the federal government currently operating under a partial shutdown and continuing resolutions, county lobbyists indicated that securing funding remains a complex process. However, the adoption of this agenda provides a clear roadmap for the county’s requests as Congress negotiates the fiscal year 2026 budget.