The Will County Legislative Committee held a long and contentious meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, highlighted by the narrow 4-3 passage of a controversial resolution supporting protections for immigrant communities. The “Live and Work Without Fear” resolution sparked a heated debate over its factual basis and its appropriateness, with members ultimately approving it after adding an amendment concerning the identification of federal immigration officers. For a full report on this debate, see the standalone story.

The committee also dedicated significant time to shaping its 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda. Members debated and approved several key priorities, including lobbying for stable Medicaid funding, support for the public health workforce, and federal funds for the Children’s Advocacy Center. A separate article provides more detail on the development of the federal agenda.

Additionally, lobbyists updated the committee on the federal government shutdown and a pending state energy bill that could further limit local control over solar farms.

Federal Government Shutdown Continues Amid Impasse
The committee received an update from its federal lobbyist, Smith Garson, on the ongoing federal government shutdown, now in its seventh day. The impasse in Washington D.C. centers on a continuing resolution to fund the government. The House passed a bill to fund operations through November 21, but it failed in the Senate, where Democrats are insisting that an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies be included. Negotiations are ongoing, but many federal programs are now shuttered.

State Transit Funding Debate Lingers
A plan to address a major funding shortfall for the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is unlikely to pass during the state’s fall veto session, according to the county’s state lobbyist. A controversial bill that passed the Senate last spring, which included new revenue streams like a $1.50 fee on deliveries and a suburban property transfer tax, stalled in the House. While the RTA has since lowered its projected “fiscal cliff” from $771 million to under $400 million, a comprehensive solution remains elusive.

State Regulations on Kratom and Delta-8 Stalled
State-level efforts to regulate products like Kratom and Delta-8 THC remain stalled in a larger, more complex debate over cannabis and hemp regulations in Illinois. Lobbyists reported to the committee that while several bills were filed, they did not advance and are unlikely to be considered during the fall veto session. The issue is expected to reemerge in the next legislative session.