Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for May 5, 2026

Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026

The Will County Board Finance Committee dedicated nearly its entire May 5, 2026, meeting to a series of rapid-fire, preliminary budget hearings for Fiscal Year 2027. Department heads from across the county’s justice system, health networks, and infrastructure divisions presented a sobering outlook, citing skyrocketing health insurance premiums, obsolete technology systems losing vendor support, and the rising costs of construction materials and heavy equipment. Beyond the budget previews, the committee unanimously passed a novel resolution to round down cash transactions to the nearest nickel in preparation for the U.S. Mint halting penny production (see full stories above for detailed budget and policy coverage).

Emergency Funds Appropriated for 9-1-1 ETSB:
The committee unanimously approved Resolution 26-4699, appropriating $1,000,000 in funds on hand for the 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) budget. According to the resolution, the appropriation was necessary due to a “scrivener’s error” in the original 2026 budget. The funds will be directed to the ETSB’s Radio expense line item (2002-553060-110-10002-20) to ensure continued operational funding.

Coroner Prepares for Specialty Vehicle Request:
Will County Coroner Laurie Summers informed the committee that her primary request for the FY2027 budget will be the procurement of a new transport vehicle. The vehicle requires extensive retrofitting, including the installation of emergency lighting and a specialty floor designed to safely slide transport cots in and out. Summers also noted that autopsy and laboratory costs continue to rise annually without predictability, and her office will require several computer replacements because their current hardware can no longer accept necessary software updates.

Treasurer and Recorder Keep Budgets Flat:
Will County Treasurer Tim Brophy and the Recorder of Deeds office reported highly stable budget outlooks for FY2027. Brophy stated his only unique request is an estimated $4,000 to $5,000 to construct a wall enclosing an open-concept workspace for two managers. A representative for the Recorder of Deeds noted their budget will remain flat, aside from standard salary increases resulting from a union negotiation that condensed their pay scale from 31 steps down to 15. The Recorder’s office will also continue its multi-year capital project to digitize physical record books.

Tax Certificates Assigned:
The committee unanimously approved Resolutions 26-4704 and 26-4706, authorizing the Will County Executive to execute deeds of conveyance or cancel certificates of purchase for delinquent tax properties. The assignment involves two parcels (30-07-09-106-001-0000 and 30-07-11-301-002-0000) purchased by Jose Mendoza. The process allows the county, acting as a trustee for local taxing districts, to return tax-delinquent properties to the active tax rolls.