Will County’s state legislative priorities saw mixed results as the Illinois General Assembly concluded its spring session on May 31, with several key bills advancing while others stalled.

The Legislative Committee received updates from Mac Strategies lobbyists during their June 3 meeting on bills that directly affect county operations and residents.

Successful County Initiatives

House Bill 1364, extending the life of the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority, passed both chambers. The bill extends the authority’s sunset from 30 to 35 years and directs its assets to Will County rather than the state upon dissolution.

House Bill 663, allowing the dissolution of the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District and transfer of its operations to the City of Joliet, also became law. The measure addresses funding challenges at the struggling district.

Quick-Take Authority Stalled

House Bill 250, which would have granted Will County quick-take powers for 143rd Street road construction, passed the House 72-37 but stalled in the Senate. The bill would have provided two-year authority for property acquisition related to the road project.

State lobbyist Matt noted that quick-take legislation often faces resistance in the Senate due to property rights concerns.

Transit Funding Crisis Unresolved

A major disappointment was the failure to address the regional transit fiscal cliff, estimated at $770 million. The crisis threatens service cuts across Chicago-area transit agencies.

The Senate passed a governance reform package with a $1.50 delivery tax to fund transit, but the House failed to advance the measure. Any solution now requires higher vote thresholds, making passage before next year unlikely.

Energy Bill Fails

Comprehensive energy legislation also failed to advance, partly due to concerns about battery storage requirements that could have imposed significant costs on Will County’s refinery operations.

The proposed battery storage component “would have been immensely expensive to refineries, one of which you have obviously in Will County,” the lobbyist explained.

Looking Ahead

With the spring session concluded, attention turns to potential veto session in November and preparation for the 2026 legislative agenda.

Several committee members expressed interest in continuing discussions about solar energy siting authority, with Speaker Joe VanDuyne suggesting potential legislation to remove county board authority over solar farm approvals entirely.

“Is there another option that we can talk to our state legislators and maybe take the powers completely out of our control?” VanDuyne asked, noting the difficult position current law places board members in.