County Board - Regular Meeting

Good morning everyone. Welcome to the Will County Board for August 21st, 2025. I'll call this meeting to order. Uh member Oxley will lead us in the pledge of allegiance followed by member Brooks who will lead us in a prayer. The flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Ask my dear friend, Mr. Brooks, who I've known for a lot of years, come on board and do this. Thank you. Oh, you're going there. Okay.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Did you want to go to your seat, Sherry? Okay. All right. Thank you, uh, Mr. Oxley, let us pray. Father God, we thank you Lord for this day that you have designed in order for to conduct the business in Will County, the state of Illinois. You said in your word of biatitudes in Matthew 5:9, blessed are the peacemakers. They shall be called the children of God. We come today as peacemakers praying for our country, for our state of Illinois, for our county, all of our county board members and our residents and employees of our county. cover them with your peace and bless this agenda on today as we do your work and your will. In our Lord's name we pray. Amen. Thank you so much. Madame clerk, will you please call the role? Williams, Dean, Slapman, Ogala, Pretzel,

Butler here, Newquist, Oxley, Brooks here, Brooks,

are you here, Brooks? Uh, Winfrey, Bulock, Logan, Freeman, Revvice, Mitchell, Ortiz, Burkowitz, Hicks, Hickey, Costa, Trineer, And

with 16 members being present, we have a quorum. I need a motion to place on file the certificate of publication. Motion by Freeman, seconded by Richmond. Madam clerk, or any discussion? Madame clerk, please call the role. And please add uh member Ogala to the roles and member Bullock. Richmond Williamsman. Yes. Ogala. Yes, Butler. Newquest. Yes, Axley. Yes, Brooks. Yeah, Winfrey. Bulock.

God, they abstain. Abstain. Um, Logan, Freeman, Revis, Burkowitz, yes. Hickeyi, yes. Costa R. Yes.

The 20 in the affirmative. The motion carries. I now need a motion to approve the minutes from the July 17th, 2025 board meeting. I'm sorry. July 17th board meeting. Yeah. Did you get all those motion? Second.

All right. Very good. All in favor? Any opposed? The motion carries. I now need to get a motion to approve the minutes from the July 17th, 2025 executive session. Motion by Dean Schlottman, seconded by Brooks. Previous roll call by Freeman, seconded by Traneer. All in favor? Any opposed? The motion carries. Madame clerk, will you please acknowledge the elected officials and media present? I we have uh several guests. I'm going to let uh Madame Clerk acknowledge the county elected officials for us.

All right. Today we have County Executive Jennifer Bertino Tarant, County Clerk Annette Parker, Circuit Clerk Andrea Lynn Chastine, coroner Lorie Summers, auditor Duffy Blackburn, recorder of deeds Karen Stuko, treasurer Tim Brophy and Chief Dodge Chief Judge Dan Kennedy, and from the uh media we have Daily Southtown Michelle Mullins.

Thank you. At this time, I'm inviting anyone to come up with the public to comment on today's agenda items. This is for today agenda items only and outside of land use cases too. I'm sorry. Is there anyone here who would like to speak to the public on any agenda item once, twice? Okay, very good. Thank you. Um, moving on to old business. All resolutions and ordinances from the July 17th, 2025 board meeting have been signed and returned. We are now uh moving on to new business and I will be able to present the state of the county and our budget presentation. While our staff is uh providing county board members with our draft budget, um I want to um remind our new members here that uh this is the beginning of our two-monthlong process where we take the draft budget and continue to have discussions until um October and November when we finalize our votes. I do want to take the time to thank members of our elected officials out in the community who have shown up today. I do appreciate this uh support. We have

Mayor Keith Ogle from Frankfurt. We have uh Supervisor Donna Deetbar from On Township, Mayor Rick Offerman uh from Anuka. We have the PACE chairman Rick Quazneski. We have the Lamont administrator George Schaefer as well as Dan Duffy from Manuka administrator and we also have leader John Curran who is joining us today. So thank you very much. I know your schedules are are busy and we appreciate you taking the time to join to join us. I also before I begin want to uh thank my county executive staff and department ha heads. We have built a very supportive team, all of us looking out for one another and for the benefit of um Will County. And I'm I'm very grateful for all the work they do. When I have an idea, it becomes everyone's idea. And um I I do appreciate the extra attention uh they give uh the residents of Will County and uh county board members, county staff, and I I can't say enough how grateful I am for the work they do. So with that, thank you. uh Speaker Van Dyene, Leader Richmond, Leader Williams, members of the county board. This meeting serves the review of our achievements over the past 12 months. While it's impossible to include everything, it is a good snapshot of what county government does on a daily basis. We continue to experience a period of great opportunity and growth for Will County, but also a period of possible challenges and the need for sound choices. But before recapping those successes, I have to pause and remember that county government is only as strong as a community it serves. Communities it serves. The state of Will County is strong not just because of the decisions we make in this building, but because of the strength of our communities. Will County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family for many reasons, including the vibrancy of our neighborhoods, our thriving large and small businesses, our diverse cultures and backgrounds, our highquality

educational institutions, and of course, our residents. I want to formally thank our mayors and other elected officials who have been good partners. For us as county leaders, it's important to remember that our role is to empower these successes, address needs that impact the region, and provide services that meet the needs of our large and diverse county. While you represent individual districts, your decision making often look beyond your boundaries. I understand this is not always an easy task. I'm very fortunate to see the results of your collective actions and the impact of those services firsthand. Many may forget the day-to-day business that serves our residents, but decisions and votes made on this floor make a difference. Whether it's a drop off recycling event attended by hundreds of residents, our workforce team helping people connect with long tterm career opportunities, our land use inspectors replying to residents concerns, or our health department hosting back-toschool community events to connect people with health care services. Our works make a our work makes a real difference in people's lives. Look no further than Sunny Hill Nursing Home where I regularly hear positive feedback from residents and their families. Under the leadership of administrator Maggie McDonald, the team at Sunny Hill works tirelessly to provide compassionate care to residents while also working to identify improvements. One family recently reached out to share her experience working with Sunny Hill staff, saying that she was brought to tears as she saw Christy Rover, one of the nurses on Avenue 4, care for her mother. She said she was so grateful that there are people in this world who have dedicated their life to this level of care. That dedication is getting noticed. Last year, they were named the number three nursing home in Illinois. No, no small feat and one worthy of recognition. Congratulations to Mag McDall and the entire Sunny Hill staff. That same passion is is on display with our workforce service team, which connects hundreds of Will County residents with resources and the skills

needed to achieve long-term career successes. This includes Karina Lopez, a mom of three who reached out to Workforce Center to achieve her lifelong goal of becoming a nurse. Thanks to Connect to Your Future program and the dedicated workforce staff, she achieved that dream, believing in herself and the staff who committed to her goals. That level of commitment is visible at all level of county government. And you may have seen another example get national attention when the team of investigators and coroner Lorie Summer's office resolved their oldest cold case dating back to 1968. Thanks to the persistent and collaborative efforts of Joseph Piper, William Shehan, Mike Vanover, James Carden, and Eugene Sullivan, the family of Martha Basset was able to gain a sense of closure after over half a century of uncertainty. All five are here today. Thank you, and we appreciate your work. I also appreciate the staff that go beyond their job responsibility. Whether it's our returning chabs from the facility staff participating in Men Who Cook, Bob Beaser, our lead maintenance staff making balloon animals at the Kidsfest, or Jackie Rogers from the county board office showing up to volunteer at Sherfest. Our staff are people who live in this community and have an invested interest as well. The best part of my job is hearing these stories. They serve as acts of everyday inspiration and represent the dedication of that Will County employees bring to work every day. To be clear, we ask a lot of our staff. We are not complacent and the demands for county services has grown with our population. We're seeing that across the board from the 9% increase in service calls at animal protection services to the increase in 911 calls at Lairway Communication Center where the dedicated team of

telecommuters answered over 375,000 calls last year. How we respond to this demand divi defines our priorities. This was the case when we moved forward on plans to respond to the increased need for veteran services by creating space for the Veterans Assistance Commission to grow and provide the services that these men and women deserve. With our VAC serving nearly 4,000 veterans and their families last year, the need is critical and growing. Once completed, the new veteran assistance and support center will provide a place of not only the outstanding service our VAC staff is known for, but stability. The space will empower the agency to provide enhanced services for counseling, employment assistance, financial and housing support, mental health services, and community centric care. It will also solidify their role as state leaders, creating the state's first unified campus for veterans assistance in an amazing location. Jen Soomn and her team were looking forward to cutting the ribbon soon. This project is an example of how we can rise to the occasion to offer residents the service they deserve during a period of historic growth. However, responsibility to our residents means also being mindful of our fiscal responsibility, which is why we place such a high priority in proving how we deliver services for residents. Creating a modern government that works for residents requires constant review of how we do business at all levels. Preparing for growth means you bringing our use of technology into the 21st century century. Digitizing government might not get attention but it makes a real impact. Whether it's consolidating software such as the efforts happening in our human resource and purchasing department or record management's transition from the most costly known tune in tool in government paper which by the way Christine Randall and her team has eliminated over 20,000 boxes of

paper files over the past 5 years. Digitizing saves us money, reduces waste, increases efficiency, and improves how the public how the public receives services. By digitizing, we increase transparency. Just this year, the county earned the distinguished budget award from the government finance officers association due to the budget directors Rashan Howard's efforts to transition our budget online for easy access. This modernization is happening throughout county county government and there's clearly a demand for it from our residents. Just look to our land use department where nearly 84% of residents are submitting building permits online. I'm proud of the progress we made. This includes a circuit clerk's h helping to trans transition police departments away from paper records submissions, the state's attorney's office implementing a new video evidence management software, and the supervisor of assessments modernizing and consolidating their mapping software. These efforts will culminate when we finally consolidate the only the over 25 different websites into one unified service where residents can more easily access service and connect with their government officials. Led by ICT Director Jason Jason Donnish, this huge undertaking is bringing together countywide elected officials, departments, and commissions to improve how we do business as a county. It is not easy work, but is very much needed. Changing how we do business takes deliberate intentional actions at all levels of county government. This was the inspiration for the Will County Emergency Management Agency's 2023 strategic p plan which set ambitious goals to increase capacity and become more resilient in the face of federal uncertainty which includes potential disruptions in FEMA resources. As you know, our EMA has built a strong reputation as a leader in the county and state. Less than two years into their five-year plan, they have already

accomplished most of their goals. This included standardizing safety plans for responding to threats in public spaces such as schools and colleges, expanding their amazing volunteer team, and creating a long-term recovery committee, which has already helped displaced residents following two fires over the last year. The plan also called for review of internal programs and systems which led to a partnership between EMA and our GIS department to bring a critical emergency operations system inhouse. This transition which will be implemented next year will save the county $20,000 annually. It's a big deal and example of the type of leadership we have here at the county. I want to congratulate Director Allison Anderson and GIS manager Becky Cowwell on Jane on this accomplishment. These successes were the results of a realistic plan that provided both short and long-term goals. I want to really emphasize that plans work and help us look to the future in a fiscally responsible way. On that note, I want to recognize leader Sherry Williams for her advocacy for the board to implement a strategic plan to help find common ground in this chamber and aim for long-term goals. It was a plan that launched just three years ago that laid the groundwork for transformational changes to our county's dialeride network. The access will county study is a great example of how when done right, our plans don't end up on shelves. Since the plan's approval, mobility manager Colin Phillips has been hard at work improving services for the seniors and people with disabilities that rely on this program. Colin talks directly to re residents, receiving dozens of calls every week from people who want to access the service. He hears from seniors such as a gentleman who signed up so he could finally reach medical appointments consistently. Or the young man with developmental disabilities who can now attend a local day program on his own schedule or the widowerower who relied on her husband to

drive her and could not get around until she learned about this program. These are real stories and demonstrate what the program means for residents. The word is spreading and Access Will County expects to deliver nearly 14,000 rides this year. And for the first time, residents of southwestern Will County have access to transportation in their area, including Wilmington and Bradwood. This is a powerful story of programs that work. While we've grown the program from seven townships to 16, we need to do everything we can to make sure Will County residents have access to safe, reliable, and affordable transportation. That vision applies to our entire transportation agenda. One of the reasons we spend so much time talking about transportation is because it really defines Will County. I'm proud of our continued investments in infrastructure to meet the county's growing demands, promote access, and prepare us for the future needs all while ensuring our residents are safe on our county roads. You can see the impact of these investments throughout the county as the division of transportation works to implement an ambition ambitious program of roadway improvements in many communities. This includes a nearly complete reconstruction of projects 80 avenue in Tinley Park and Moina. The second segment of Lyricway corridor expansion in New Lennox, Bell Road and Homer Glenn and New Lennox intersections of Cedar and Francis Road. As outlined in our $756 million transportation improvement plan, DOT has several large scale projects on the horizon to pro improve access for residents. This includes the $20 million overpass that will carry drivers on Lorenza Road over the BNSF railroad in Wilmington. Preliminary engineering on improvements to Wilmington Pietone Road between I-55 and I-57 and moving forward on the rail crossing overpass in New Lennox that will improve connections between local neighborhoods Lincolnway High School and

Silverc Cross Hospital. By the way, the latest example was the largest transportation grant in Will County history. An example of how federal funding isn't a hypothetical concept. That project would not be getting done without the federal grant. Our future focused vision is what guided the development of our 25-y year long transportation plan titled our way forward. This planning effort brought together hundreds of residents and local leaders to the table to ask what the future of Will County transportation should look like. What we heard was not surprising. They wanted reduced neighborhood impacts of trucks, increased public transportation options, trail networks that are robust and wellconed, and roadway improvements that cut down on congestion. The final plan will help us implement that comprehensive vision of transportation outlining a wide variety of projects aimed at improving road safety, transit access, and ped uh pedestrian infrastructure. Safety has been the top of mind throughout these effort and as vision zero as a vision zero county, we're working to bring more voices to the table to make our roads safer for all users. The work of the building of the work of building a transportation network that meets the needs of the fastest growing county in Illinois isn't easy. And I want to thank Director John Jeff Ronaldson and his DOT department on approaching this mission with deliberation and collaboration. These infrastructure investments will make a positive impact for residents. They improve safety, reduce damage on vehicles, and support economic growth in all corners of the county. That growth has guided so much of our planning over the years, and Will County's economic future remains strong. If you've been to any report event by the Will County Center for Economic Development, you quickly get used to hearing number one a lot, and for good reason. We're number one in population growth, making up over 11,000 of the 44,000 people that have moved to the Coller counties in recent years. We're

the number one job creator in Illinois since 2019, creating 15,000 jobs. That's way ahead of the 6,600 jobs created by the number two job creating county. Those job numbers also include 1,900 manufacturing jobs, representing a 9% increase despite a nationwide reduction. All economic indicators lead to Will County. We're the top county in the state for single family housing development. We've seen a 44% increase in building permits over the last year and our retail occupancy is at the highest level in Will County history at 97%. We're seeing the high building man demand firsthand at the county level. Last year, our land use department issued over 2600 building permits in unincorporated areas. Since 2019, the supervisor of Cesar's office has seen an 11% increase in commercial property values and a 27% increase in industrial property values along with a nearly $7.5 billion market value in construction. This is real growth that is fueling our economy. Growth is not a scary word. It delivers benefits for the people of Will County. Commercial developments reduce tax rates, increase level, increases level of employment, connects residents with better retail options, and reduces the challenges that come with unemployment and underemployment. Economic growth makes a difference in people's lives, and we need to capitalize on them. However, we also need to be mindful of the economic barriers that stand in the way of these benefits. First, we know that the county is facing a serious housing challenge that is limiting the abilities of our communities to grow and our businesses to attract talent. It also is driving up costs for existing residents. We need to take advantage and be mindful about solutions. That's why we are partnering with the CED on a housing study that will work to fill these gaps and offer

meaningful zoning and policy changes required at both the county and local levels. We also know that our residents need more than a countywide transportation system to fully access our economic potential. As a county, we need to ensure that residents have connectivity to transit options that can take them throughout the region. I've been closely involved with the ongoing discussions at the state level to reform our region's mass transit agencies and ensure that will county taxpayers have a seat at the table and receive the transportation access they deserve. As we plan for continued growth, we need to be cleareyed about our current national economics. I'm not an alarmist, but we know we need to be prepared for what may or may not come our way. However, what we do know with certainty is that we have had many, many accomplishments due to the unprecedented level of federal grants over the last few years. I want to know that I want to note that these funds represent our tax dollars be invested back into our community rather than staying in Washington. When federal programs are cut or reduced, those are local dollars not being sent back to us. And while next year's budget will be the first one that I present to this board that does not include our federal support, I want to reiterate that people in our communities are depending on the services that these dollars provided. Just look at what we've been able to accomplish with the $134 million allocation of American Rescue Plan Act. These dollars have been transformational for our communities and address long-standing unadressed challenges. At a high level, I can tell you that with over 60% of the ARPER projects completed, these funds have distributed $2.6 6 million worth of food, have served over 170,000 households with funded food pantries by funding food pantries and have connected nearly 2,000 patients with clinical visits, vaccinations, medication assistance or mental health services. We've also

invested heavily in the next generation, providing over 1,300 teaching and nursing scholarships through Will County Heroes in cooperation with our four higher education partners. These investments are tangible and with shovels in the ground in local communities, we expanded public services, connected people in need of health care, and have helped our nonprofit community build resiliency. Look no further than Silvercross Hospital, which just opened their brand new immediate care facility in Crest Hill with the help of an ARPA grant. Beyond these federal dollars, we also empower also empowered us to address local issues that are top priorities for many of us in this room, especially related to keeping people in their homes. As public officials, you know that talking about addressing homelessness is easy. Actually, addressing it takes investment and hard work. Thankfully, our community development division and director Martha Soka have stepped up to use these federal funds strategically to stop homelessness at its source. The demand for housing assistance has not gone down. With limited resource at their disposal, they have worked within their means to keep families in their homes. This includes both their emergency rental assistance program and housing stabilization program that have saved over 900 households from eviction. This coincides with their eviction mediation program in partnership with Chief Judge Kennedy and the courts. They have resolved nearly 200 eviction cases before they went to trial. These are examples of the progress we made in addressing core challenges throughout our community. We need to sustain that progress, which requires us to be intentional with our funding going forward. That means we have to continue investing in preventive programs that address major issues such as food insecurity, housing, and substance abuse programs before they spiral out of control and negatively impact thousands of lives throughout the county. The federal government may be backing away

from addressing the roots of our problems, but we don't have that luxury. These challenges will remain in our community. People do not disappear. This is our opportunity to rise to the occasion and decide what kind of community we want to be. It is with this in mind that we approach our fiscal year 2026 budget. In preparing the proposed budget, I aim to ensure stability in our programs, continue our progress, and prepare us for an uncertain future. This budget helps us meet our needs while we await a clearer picture of the future and the full impact of federal decisions. Thankfully, we're in a strong position, especially due to measures throughout the year to cut down on costs. Excuse me.

Our departments have been working to realize cost savings at all levels. This includes the facilities department reducing energy uses in all buildings, which will saving us $250,000 this year. We're also expanding our review of operational costs in every county office, such as the purchasing department's plan to implement a fleet management program that will standard standardize operations and cut costs. We're entering the fiscal year 26 budget year on a stable fiscal footing. We are maintaining our double A+ rating from Moody's which has commended our excellent credit position. They have noted our strong financial management practices and growing economy as positive factors for our financial future. We also continue to exceed our cash reserves goal of 25% at the beginning of each fiscal year which prepares us for unexpected contingencies. The operating budget or corporate fund makes up 35% of our total budget. 75% of that fund is personnel expend expenses which leaves very little room for discretionary spending in even the most normal of budget years. I also want to note that our budget is compromised to diverse revenue sources. For the corporate fund, property taxes make up 40% of the revenue with intergovernmental revenue and fees making up the remainder. After a thorough review of expenditures in our existing budget and request from all county offices, I am proposing a budget of $791 million with $282 million for our operating budget and $59 million for special funds. This budget is balanced, continues the progress we have made, and helps prepare for the future. It provides $1 million for our annual contribution to the other post employment benefits trust fund and dedicates $475,000 for IMRF accelerated pension payments, ensuring future fiscal stability. It also provides $6.9 million to meet our

debt obligations and continue stability with our rating agencies. This coincides with our ongoing pursuit of $200 million bond reinancing that could save the county millions of dollars. The proposed budget does not include the full allowable levy. I'm recommending a 2% CPI new property maximizing the rapid pace of commercial growth throughout the county. That growth has incre increased our estimated assessed value by 8.3% and has led to another tax rate decrease from 0.5129% to 4884%. This budget ensures stability in the face of fiscal realities such as an increase in operating costs across the board and the overall rising cost of doing business due to economic conditions. With that goal in mind, I challenge budget Rashan Howard to go through our budget with a fine tooth comb. But this is where I'm going to pause and thank Rashawn for all her hard work along with Marcy Hman and Elaine Bodley who sat in those meetings to listen intentionally to our elected officials and departments as they shared their needs. Working closely with every county office, we were able to trim $24 million from requests. We have to be realistic that this is a tight budget year and we need to be prepared for the future. This budget also includes the results of our planning efforts such as our five-year capital improvement plan that has helped us reduce emergency spending by prioritizing facility improvements and replacements in a cohesive schedule. This year we have proposed $5.5 million in our CIP which includes a variety of equipment and IT needs IT needs that will reduce the need for emergency facility spending in the future. That same mindset is also guiding our space needs master plan update which will project future county needs and aim to reduce the use of rented county property, help consolidate security and IT needs and stop us from

investing in antiquated structures. That plan is ongoing and we will we look forward to continue involving everyone in this room. This budget also maintains our shared goal to prioritize public safety with public safety and judicial operations making up 65% of the budget. It also includes four new judicial positions, two in both the state's attorney and public defenders offices. Outside of the public safety, the only other new PI position offered in this budget is an election-based position in the county clerk's office, understanding the importance of running a smooth and secure election. These investments make a real difference in keeping resilient residents safe and reflect the long-term impact of decisions we make in this room. For example, the fiscical year 25 budget included the first increase in the sheriff's office deputy in 25 years to address the need for overweight truck enforcement throughout the county. That increase was more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. It's already keeping helping to keep our local roads safe. Due to this increase, the sheriff's office has stopped over 2500 over more overweight trucks on local roads and issued over 1,600 citations. That's an example of our budget decisions can address our core priorities. This includes the need for proactive investments into things that I have mentioned ear sorry. This includes our responsibility to properly fund local healthc care services in the face of federal spending reductions. As you are aware, the Will County Health Department leadership and board, which include our members Micah Freeman and Raquel Mitchell, has raised the alarm that federal cuts and reductions will impact critical programs that have proved successful in recent years to keep our most vulnerable communities healthy. With these looming federal cuts, it is now more important than ever to invest in preventive health care programs. By

funding maternal health, food access, disease prevent prevention, and immunization programs, we're addressing largecale health issues before they become more costly to both households and the overall health care system. That's why this budget includes a proposal to use existing funds to ensure stability at the health department without an additional tax levy. This budget utilizes $1 million in cannabis sales tax funds to maintain these services and $750,000 in opioid settlement funds to maintain our preventive substance abuse programs that have succeeded in reduced reducing deaths throughout the county. I believe we need to step up to ensure the continuity continuity of these programs just as the mental me the community mental health board has opted to do for a second year. Their board with a $12 million proposal is planning on increasing their health department funding to $4 million to avoid disastrous cuts to mental health services. During a cautious time, we are using these discretionary discretionary funds for operational needs to maintain county programs while we wait the full impact of current and federal cuts. This is not a permanent solution, but a temporary holding pattern. In addition, I'm recommending the use of continuing funding for several programs under these line items that have proven track record of major challenges throughout our communities. This includes utilizing $1.3 million in cannabis dollars to keep residents in their home through the housing stabilization program, protect children through the courtappointed special advocate and center, and prevent recidivism through the workforce service re-entry program. connect residents to services through our 211 program that we work with United Way and working with our MAP team to provide fresh produce aimed at providing seniors with healthy food options in the face of rising prices. I am also proposing that 865,000 from our opioid settlement funds

continue funding of our problem solving courts and offset rising medical costs at our adult detention facilities. These are preventive programs and responsible investments that prioritize county-led initiatives and give us the tools to continue their success. As always, this budget is the start of a conversation. In crafting this proposal, we aim to meet the growing list of needs within the county, align with our priorities, and plan for the future, all while spending within our means. As we approach the new year, I hope that we can work together to sustain the progress we have made and continue to be intentional with the decisions to make a positive impact. I look forward to healthy and sincere conversations regarding this proposal as we focus on another year of working to empower continued success in all our communities in keeping Will County strong. Thank you. Thank you. And guests who have attended, this is a good time to sneak out. All right, we are who is um I don't know who the chair of Okay,

vice chair vice chair Nquis I understand you are going to do land use development what that's what I hear okay good morning everybody good morning Um land use um uh number one uh land use uh open hearing open public hearing for all land use cases. Um so do we need a motion? We need a motion to open the public hearing. Yep. Motion motion by Revis, seconded by Hickeyi to open public hearing for land use. Madame clerk, please call the role. Richmond Williams, yes. Dean Schlottman. Ogala. Yes. Butler.

Nquis. Yes. Axley. Yes. Brooks. Yes. Winfrey. Yes. Bulock. Yes. Logan. Yes. Freeman. Yes. Revis. Yes. Mitchell. Yes. Ortiz. Yes. Burkowitz.

You don't speak. That was a presentation. We're in land use hearing now. No. Hickeyi, yes. Costa, yes. Traineer, yes. Vaness affirmative. The motion carries. We are now in public hearing. Absolutely no new evidence or information will be allowed once this land use public hearing is closed. Are there any individuals who wish to provide testimony or speak during the public hearing? If you would like to, you can please come up now. We ask that you intro uh state your name and to help out the county board members to please um identify the case.

Good morning. I'm uh Nathaniel Washurn with KG LLC uh 111 North Ottawa Street here in Joliet and I am the attorney for the applicant on zoning case 2557 which is uh 918 Manhattan Road. I just wanted to provide a quick update. It was asked at uh land use committee if I could speak with my client about uh voluntarily uh agreeing to try to reduce weekend operating hours. We were seeking uh Saturday through Sunday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. operating hours for a trucking repair business. Uh it received uh votes of approval at both PZC and land use. I did speak with my client and in acknowledgement of some of the neighbors concerns, uh, he has agreed to to the extent business operations allow during summer hours on weekends, he will try to close his business uh, by 4 or 4:30 p.m. to allow the neighbors an opportunity to uh, more wholesomely enjoy their uh, yard during the weekend. So, I just wanted to let the uh county board know that I did take that to my client and he has uh agreed to attempt during summer hours to accommodate the neighbors. Uh I'd ask for your support and I'm happy to answer any other questions anybody might have.

Looks like I have a question here, sir. All right. My question is actually for the chair. Is this our new format? Um I don't know. Um, it just seems weird that the whole screen is empty on each side and everything's kind of open. Yeah. Yeah. Something is I don't know. Anyway, I just wanted to know and I guess it is. So, okay. Yes. Sorry. I Yeah, I'm not familiar with the new format that's been working by county board staff, but yes, I'm

okay. I I don't think Can you repeat the hours that they're going to be closed? I wanted to make a note. So, uh, in our application, we had indicated our hours of operation would be 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This is a zoning change, not a special use, so conditions cannot be placed on it. But my client has agreed during the summer hours, they would try on weekends to close between 4 and 4:30 in order to allow the neighboring residents a better opportunity to enjoy their yard on the weekends. Okay. Thank you, member Ortiz. Thank you. Can you just repeat the zoning case number?

Uh, it was ZC25-057. It's for 918 Manhattan Road. Thank you. All right. I don't see any more questions, sir. All right. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. Good morning. My name is Katie Nai. I'm the attorney for Creek Township. The zoning case is ZC2549. I just wanted to give a little bit of background on the property. The township acquired 25930 South Cottage Grove Avenue in 2024 from a nonprofit organization. The township is utilizing the property for the Creek Township Community Center, which offers senior citizen activities, women's exercise groups, and in the fall, the community center has plans to broaden its services to include youth and family programs. The existing sign on the property has been standing for more than 20 years and the township the township is seeking to modify the existing sign by installing a dynamic display in the sign. The dynamic display will not be used for any commercial purposes. It will be used to share township related messages such as township announcements, events occurring in the community center and alerting the public to any emergencies. Also relevant is there's discussion for the township center to be used as an emergency shelter. So, not only will the dynamic display be used to announce emergencies to the public, but also directing residents to the community center in the event of an emergency as provided in the land use department staff report. Creek Township special use permit request meets all the standards and criteria set forth by Will County. The PZC and land use committee recommended approval and the township

respectfully requests that the Will County Board approve its zoning request. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Any questions? I don't see any questions. So, thank you. Thank you.

Good morning, commissioners. My name is John Simpson and I am here on agenda item uh 12-6 on your agenda on behalf of Roberto and Hiro Mendoza who are the beneficial owners of 17438 Bluff LLC. This is in district 9. It's in DuPage Township. Um it's just east of Juliet Road alongside Bluff Road. Um, it's a it's a complicated parcel, which is why I'm going to try and make this as brief as I can. But if you can imagine a capital letter C, uh, my client's property is dead center. And so we are surrounded from the northeast, north, northwest, west, southeast, south, or sorry, southwest, south, and southeast by industrial. That industrial to the north and to the west is the village of Woodriidge. That industrial to the south is Romeoville. The neighbor immediately to the east. So again like I see this opening part it has the same zoning and the same relief that we are requesting today. It was provided by the county board as well as PCC and the subcommittee back in 2016. The concept was it allowed for a buffer zone because we do notice and I would submit that there is a trend in that area that is going industrial not necessarily by the board but by the villages of uh Romeoville and Woodridge as they enex the properties. The reason why I don't believe it would be a good or why we didn't pursue a map amendment is because if you do a map amendment, this is a residential building and so employees sleep here. If you do a map amendment to allow that use, we would have to call it security. But the greater impact is what occurs if we ever sell it. And the proposal before you, if it's sold, it loses the special use permit. It reverts and remains residential and anyone can buy it and have their kids there or start their families, whichever they prefer. If it's done the opposite way, it almost ensures it has to be an industrial use and it borderline leaves this building unusable because most industrial users aren't looking for a residential building. And so that is important also to take into account

while we speak about that trend that like the C there are 14 parcels to the east if you keep going east on Bluff Road that have deed restrictions that prohibit commercial and industrial use. So although there is that trend for Romeoville and Woodridge, that trend effectively stops right near us to us, the neighbor with the same relief we're requesting, right after that, they're all deed restricted. So it's going to remain residential unless and until someone acquires all of those properties at once. So what I would submit to you is if that occurs, this whole area is going to change at once to the east. It's not going to be a trend because it requires those 14 properties. Um that being said, um we are just seeking compliance. It's been a a long process to uh the county's credit, your staff has been wonderful. Uh it's just been juggling the code of Will County, Romeoville, Woodridge, seeing who's enexing what. You know, we lost everything to the west of uh Woodridge, so it's been difficult trying to get in compliance. Um the subcommittee uh did uh speak about the map amendment. What I would ask of the board is if that is the route uh that this board Well, I would prefer that this passes outright so we can immediately make the changes. Let me make that abundantly clear. I' I'd ask for the same relief that the neighbor has. Um, but if it doesn't, I'd ask that it go back to subcommittee because I would imagine we're going to have a little more objectors to the map amendment and I just want to make sure the board wouldn't pigeon hole itself of saying, "Well, we wish we didn't do that." Um, and that would be all we would ask. And

you have some questions, sir. Absolutely. Uh, member Burkwitz and Revis. Hold on. Sorry. Go ahead, Madame Executive. I think this would be a question that um Mr. Butella could address. Um I have a question. Uh if if this were to proceed, we were to allow the residential use in this type of a property. In the past, we've not allowed residential use in industrial or com uh this type of a parcel. And my question um and I'd like Mr. Ella to come up to

we're we're questioning this witness right here. If you have question I can ask him but but it will have to go to staff who is present in the room. Um with a residential zoning then how does that impact the tax liability? I know there's a there's a assessment tax assessment. So what is the difference? You can't answer this question, but I would like Commissioner, are you referring to property taxes? Uh, yes. The the the levies.

My my that definitely I don't want to represent. My understanding is it's it's always based on the assessed value. You take a third of that, multiply it by the rate. It's not um Cook County, I think, is the only anomaly that differentiates how they classify residential versus everything else initially. I I believe every other I'm going to I'm going to interrupt you for member Burkwood you have to address your questions to the application right now. So I think so the board is not we cannot address any inquiries. We're in the hearing and we're we're addressing the applica. Yeah. Right now. So and I think you're asking about at what point in time can we ask questions discussion at the disc when we go back and vote during the discussion.

Okay. I will I will go I will reent this question during discussion. Perfect. Thank you. Yep. Member Revvice. Uh thank you, Mr. Simpson. I appreciate uh your presentation because it was very concise. I just want to confirm one thing for uh just from the applicant point of view.

Whether we pass it today or whether we go back to our committee, the end use of the property is still, you know, that's not what's being objected to. It's just how we get to that point. Uh, I guess objected meaning there wasn't full support coming out of the land use and development committee, you know, and there was some concern. But if we pass it today, we can the um the land owner is still going to get to use the property for the same things that they would use if we go to committee and it still passes through committee and we just change the technicality surrounding it. So, it's kind of like a 3+ one or a two plus two situation. We're both going to get to four no matter whether we pass it today or go back to the committee.

Yes, Commissioner. What I would tell you is what I mentioned before the effects will be the same. It's two paths to get to the same point. I guess the concern would be what happens after us, right? If you do the map amendment, then it will always remain industrial unless they remap it back. So, if we find a residential buyer down the road, they'd have to remap zone it back the way other way. Whereas, if we leave, and if we leave, we're doing it knowing uh and I should mention that we've added conditions. This is only open Monday through Friday 6 to 6, Saturday 8 to 3. We don't do it on Sunday. um and it had unanimous support from PCC to get to this point. Um I think in the subcommittee we didn't have all the answers necessarily in the discussion. The concern for you is yes, it gets our applicant to the same point. It's just what happens after us. And so those are the two paths. But

yeah, in my take it's a little bit less complicated if we just pass it today. So that's my stance on it. Thank you,

Member Trineer. Thank you, Madame Executive. Um, I'm very very familiar with this area. I've talked with residents in the subdivision that's nearby with the um I don't know what they call it, but the cautisle of what they can do with the land. Um, in fact, if you've ever read that document, it's it's pretty disturbing. But um, they have been approached in the past. They love where they live. They are not ever going to get to that number where they all want to sell. And I think giving you what you're asking for here today does help provide that buffer between uh them and these new warehouses. Um but I just want it it's just the two lots. It's just two before we get to Crest Creek or whatever it's I think it's Crest Creek.

Yes. I think it's uh I think it was St. Katherine's Cross. It's a vacated way but it's Catherine's Crossing. Yes. So it's it would be so it will now be industrial to northwest and south. I think it's six park, maybe five to the west. But then you'll have our property which will be identical use to the neighboring property with that landscaping. You have Catherine's Crossing and then you have I think there's six homes alongside Catherine's Crossing. There's smaller much smaller lots and then eight much larger, deeper lots to the east. All of those we believe have the deed restrictions. And yes, I' I've read the deed restrictions. So it's disturbing. There's some disturbing items on there. But then there's other ones that in this case will have actually protected the homeowners from the trend that is to the west.

And I really don't want to see those homeowners have to deal with even more industrial on that street. Um the portion that's being developed now um Romeoville owns the road and they've already improved it. It's the rest of Bluff Road that's a disaster. I mean frankly probably shouldn't be any trucks on that road past the Romeoville part. Um, but you know that's that's not a problem for for you to worry about. So I will be in support of what you're asking for today. Thank you, Commissioner. Member Oxley. Thank you, Madam Executive. What What is the parcel size? Two acres. Two acres. And do we have a an overhead view of this property that we could pull up? I think it's in the packet. I unfortunately I just saw the agenda. We don't have it.

We don't have it. I don't have page seven.

Is it What you got Mark? Okay, let me Okay. I have questions for staff when we get to that point. Thank you. Any other questions for this gentleman? Okay.

Thank you. Thank you. All right. Is anyone here for public comment for or for hearing any of our land use? Go once. Go in twice. Okay. I will make a motion to close the public hearing for all land use cases. Motion by Newquist, seconded by Dean Schlottman. Madame clerk, please call the role. Richmond Williams. Dean Schlottman Ogala. Butler. Butler. Newquist. Yes. Axley. Brooks. Yes. Winfrey. Yes. Bulock.

Yes. Logan, Freeman, Revit, sorry, Revvis, Mitchell, Ortiz, Burkowitz, Hickeyi, Costa, Trineer, Vanden, yes, thank you. 20 and 20 in the affirmative. The public hearing is now closed. Okay.

All right. Number one, zoning case ZC-25-060, a special use permit for a landscape and lawn maintenance business, Green Garden Township, 9003 West Stunkle Road, Frankfurt, Illinois, County Board, District 3. And I so moved by Nquis, seconded by Gala. Is there any discussion? Is there previous? previous by Ravis, second by Mitchell. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries.

Number two, zoning case ZC-25-049, a special use permit for an onremise dynamic display in agricultural and residential zoning districts. Uh variance for minimum setback of a dynamic dis display displace. Oh, we don't vote on the variance, so I'm going to skip that part. Um but uh basically it's at 25930 South Cottage Grove Avenue Creek Illinois County Board District 3 and this was unanimously approved by both uh planning and uh zoning and land use and I so move by Nquis seconded by Mitchell. Any discussion? Previous roll call by KOSA seconded by uh Winfrey. All in favor? Motion carries. Number three, ZC-25-042. Special use permit for Ancillary Liquor Service, Frankfurt Township, 7805 West Lincoln Highway, Frankfurt, Illinois, County Board, District number three. Another unanimous approval and I so move. Motion by Nquis. They hear a second. Second by Costa. Is there any discussion? Previous roll call by Triner, seconded by Mitchell. All in favor?

Any oppose? Motion carries. Number four, ZC-25-064. A special use permit for Ancillary Liquor Service, Frankfurt Township, 1 19866 South Harlem, Frankfurt, Illinois, County Board, District number four. It was unanimous and I so moved. Motion by Newquiz, seconded by I'm sorry, Butler. Is there any discussion? Is there a previous? Previous by Revvis, seconded by Richmond. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries.

ZC number five, ZC-25-057. Um, uh, the map amendment M-25-00008 from A1/ A2R3 to I1, Juliet Township, 918 Manhattan Road, Joliet, Illinois, County Board District 6. And I so move. Motion by Nquis, seconded by Burke Witch. Is there any discussion madam or member Oxley? Sorry. Thank you, madam. Yeah, sorry. I know. That's okay. Um,

he spoke and Mr. Washurn spoke of the hours. Was that a condition set by the land use of the hours or just a request?

Kevin, so it's a map amendment. So you can't set uh conditions. Uh conditions only apply to special use. So it's a voluntary uh move on their part. Okay. Because he said that they would try to close and that was the key. Thank you. Thank you. So any other discussion? So we have a motion and a second. Is there a previous or would you like a roll call? Madame clerk, please call the role. Richmond Williams. Dean Schlottman. Yes. Ogalla. Butler Newquist. Yes. Axley. No. Brooks. Winfrey.

Yes. Bulock. Logan. No. Freeman. Raves. Yes. Mitchell. Yes. Ortiz. Burkowitz. Hickeyi. Yes. Costa. Trainer Vand. Yes.

12 in the affirmative. The motion carries. Okay. Number six, ZC-25-020, a special use permit for landscaping and lawn maintenance business. Uh we are not voting on the variances. uh located at um 17438 West Bluff Road, Lamont, Illinois, County Board, District number nine. And I so move. Motion by N. Uh Nquis, seconded by Revvis. Any discussion? Would you like a Oh, we have to do anyway. Madam clerk, please call the role. Richmond Williams.

No. Oh, sorry. Uh, Butler, yes. Newquist, no. Axley, Brooks, yes. Winfrey. Bulock, Logan, yes. Raymond Revis, Mitchell, yes. Ortiz, yes. Burkowitz. Hickeyi. Costa R. Yes. Bandane.

Right. County executive votes no. So with 11 in the negative, the motion fails. Okay, moving on to land use and development committee resolutions. Can I move on or Okay. Anyway, I'm moving on to resolutions. Resolution Resolution 25-22 uh referencing SCXT-25-00009 special use permit extension request Metro Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago special use permit for manufacturing and industrial services general special use Oh, do we have to vote three times on this, Kevin? For you want for each special use?

Yes. Okay. So, we'll vote on the first one, um, which is the special use permit for manufacturing and industrial service general. And I so move. Motion by Nquis, seconded by Winfrey. Any discussion? Madam clerk, please call the role. Richmond Williams. No. Dean Schlapman. Ogala. Yes. Butler. Yes. Newquest. Yes. Axley. Yes. Brooks. Yes. Winfrey. Yes. Bulock. Yes. Logan. Yes. Freeman.

Revis. Mitchell. Yes. Ortiz. Burkowitz. Yes. Hickeyi. Yes. Costa. Trainer. Yes. Danden. Yes. 18 in the affirmative. The motion carries.

Okay. Now we have the special use permit for manufacturing and industrial services general. And I did neglected to mention the parcel on the last one, but this one is for 11-04-22-400-001-0000. And the street address is Lockport Township, 18500 9th Street, Romeoville, Illinois. And this is in county board districts five and nine. And I so move motion by Newquist, second by Winfrey. Any discussion? Madame clerk, please do. Oh, no. I think we don't have a clean roll. So, madam clerk, please call the role. Richmond Williams Slapman. Yes. Ogala. Butler Newquist.

Yes. Axley. Yes. Brooks. Yes. Winfrey. Yes. Bulock. Yes. Logan. Yes. Freeman. Revisit. Mitchell. Ortiz. Burkowitz. Yes. Hickeyi. Yes. Costa. Trineer. Vanine. Yes. 18 in the permanent. The motion carries.

Okay. And the last special use permit for manufacturing and industrial services general on the parcel 11-04-22-400-006-0000 and I so move motion by new quiz second by Freeman. I guess we can do is there previous role on this one? Okay. Previous role uh by Trir seconded by Brooks. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Motion carries.

Okay. Number two, resolution 25-221, special use permit extension request, a SC ext. This is an extension for a special use permit for rural events with six conditions. And that's that's special use permit number one. And I so move.

Motion by uh Nquis, seconded by Dean Schlottman. Is there any discussion? Madame clerk or I'm sorry uh madam clerk, could you call the role you vote? I'm Yep. No, I I should give the address. It's 1983 South County Line Road in Juliet County Board District number one. All right. Sorry about that. Madame clerk, please call the role. Richmond. Williamsman, yes. Ogala Butler, yes. Newquist,

yes. Axley, yes. Brooks, yes. Winfrey, yes. Bullock, yes. Logan, yes. Freeman, yes. Revisit. Hickeyi, yes. Costa R. Yes. 22 in the affirmative. The motion car. Okay. 20 in the affirmative. The motion carries.

Then we have a second special use permit associated with this for ancillary liquor service in conjunction with approved aggravatorism use with three conditions. And I so move. Motion by Nquist seconded by Winfrey. Is there previous roll call by uh Van Dy? Seconded by Freeman. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Okay. The next land use committee is scheduled for September 4th, 2025. Thank you. And moving on to finance. Chair Nquis.

Okay, you guys are going to get tired of hearing me. So, we have a consent agenda for finance and the items included are resolution 25-22 and 25-2176 appropriating stipen payments for elected officials. Resolution 25-223 through 25-2177 appropriating state of Illinois grant funds in the sheriff's budget. C. Resolution 25-224 25-2169 amending the predictable fee schedule for the recorder of deeds and D um resolution 25-22525-2199 authorizing county executive to execute necessary documents for delinquent tax program and ISO move well um before we take a motion are we um this is a can we're taking this in one motion unless there's any objection okay We have a motion by Nquis, seconded by Revvis. Any discussion? Oh, no discussion. Um, as previous by Winfrey, seconded by Freeman. All in favor?

I. Any opposed? Motion carries. And then we just have the usual monthly financial reports to place on file. And I so move. You and just a reminder too, when we hear the consent agenda, we take it in one motion. There's no discussion. So if you want something removed, please let uh us know once the chair goes through the list. Thank you. And with that, we are moving on to public works and transportation. Chair Triner.

Good morning again everyone. Um we also have a consent agenda with the following items. Letter A, Resolution 25-226, an award of contract to Tri-State A asphalt. Letter B, Resolution 25-227, confirming award of contract to deconstruction. Resolution 25-228, authorizing approval of supplemental professional services. Letter D, resolution 25-229 authorizing an agreement between the County of Will and Illinois Bell Telephone Company, which shocked me that that name still exists doing business as AT&T. Letter E, resolution 25-230, authorizing approval for supplemental professional services. Letter F resolution 25-231 authorizing approval of supplemental professional services agreement for design engineering and I so move

motion by trneer seconded by Revis previous roll call previous nquis by Nquis seconded by Freeman all in favor. Any opposed? The motion carries and our next public works and transportation committee meeting is scheduled for September 2nd. See you there. Thank you member Butler. Uh, Sher Butler, public health and safety. Thank you, Madam Chair. We have nothing to move forward today. Um, our next meeting will be September 4th. Thank you, Chair Ortiz, Legislative Committee.

Thank you, Madame Executive. We have one item on the consent agenda today. Letter A, resolution 25-232 opposing federal legislation to increase truck size and weight limits. And I so move motion by Ortiz, seconded by Ogala. Any previous any discuss private pri Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah. All right. Previous by uh Trineer, seconded by Nquist. Nquist. All in favor? I. Any oppose? Motion carries. All right. Thank you so much. Our next legislative committee meeting is scheduled for September 2nd, 2025. Thank you member Freeman or chair Freeman. Good morning.

Approvements night. Um thank you. We have nothing to bring forward. I would like to announce that next month um our facility needs um study is going to be on the agenda. So um if you want to know about that, you should come or listen in. Our next scheduled meeting is September 2nd at our normal time hopefully. Thank you. Thank you, Chair Dean Schlottman, Landfill Committee. Good morning, Madame Executive. There is nothing to bring forward at this time. The next meeting is scheduled for September 9th, 2025. Thank you.

Speaker Van Dy, executive committee.

Thank you. And good morning, mande. And good morning to county board members. Um, we do have a list of items on our consent agenda this morning. Starting with resolution 25-233 approving the Hobbalt tollbridge memorandum of understanding with United Bridge Partners. 25-234 authorizing the county executive to execute aou of with you Chicago Argon for providing access to the countywide radio system resolution 25-235 authorizing the county executive to execute an IGA with tower of dyer Indiana to provide countywide radio system access to the system resolution 25-236 authorized izing the county executive to execute an IGA with low volunteer fire department to pro provide access resolution 25-237 appropriating state of Illinois grant funds in the sheriff's budget and also a number of uh ordinances amendings chapters 35 39 42 and 43 and I would like to make that motion

motion by van seconded by Nquis previous roll call by Winfrey seconded by by Brooks. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The motion carries. I also would like to make a motion to approve resolution 25-242 approving the appointment by the county executive for the Shanahan Fire Protection District.

Motion by Van Dy, seconded by Dean Schlottman. Previous roll call by Winfren, seconded by Mitchell. All in favor? Any oppose? Motion carries. It's incredible. We are now moving on to public comment relevant to matters under the jurisdiction of the county. If there's anyone here who would has comment relevant to any matters under the jurisdiction of the county, please come forward. Good morning.

Good morning. My name is Sharon Wchak. I've lived in the district since 2000. Um, lived in my current home since 2002 where my property taxes have gone up tremendously. So, I am here to ask a couple questions. I know you can't answer them, but I just want to put my statement out there because it's getting a little ridiculous in the state of Illinois. So, I would ask that you guys would go down to Springfield to ask for some more money because I saw in our 2025 budget, I was not able to see the proposed 26 budget yet anywhere, but I saw it was when you were talking it was the same 40% of the revenues coming from our state tax, from our property taxes. I also see that um we are getting a small portion back from gambling, but I have also seen that every single bar I go into now has gambling machines. So, I kind of think that we need to go back and get some more of that money because it is supposed to go towards the common school fund which seems to be going mostly to Chicago and that's not really fair to my district here in W County. I also see that um we from the this is this is actually on the Illinois Department of Revenue that in 20124 our state collected $312 million in al alcohol taxes. We collected $711 million in cigarette taxes and $457 in cannabis taxes. I don't see that reflecting back to Will County that much at all. So, I'm just asking that you guys go down to Springfield and fight to get some of that money back for us. Thank you for being here. All right. Comments by county board members. This is your time. County board members, if you have comments to make, please uh we

will have executive session just so you know so we for so people are aware. County board member Revvis.

Thank you, Madam Executive. Uh I had the uh pleasure of uh earlier this month going to the Edgar Fellows program. It's a uh bipartisan uh leadership program, fellowship program uh started by former Governor Jim Edgar. And it's an opportunity for Republican and Democrats across the state to get together, connect with each other and uh you know learn about policy and kind of the differences between Republicans and Democrats and ultimately work uh on the issues facing Illinois residents in a bipartisan manner. So uh you know I had a great time there and uh I just learned a lot of different things that I hope to bring back to this board. So uh thank you and look forward to next month's meeting. Thank you, member Freeman.

Thank you. Um, I would like to start by saying Mary Tetro retired Tuesday with over 20 years of service in the state's attorney's office. I enjoyed working with Mrs. Tetro. She was always returned my calls, responded to my emails, and gave legal opinions that were not always what maybe we wanted to hear, but what were legally um founded. Um, I want to wish her the best in her retirement and I want to let her know that she's going to be missed. Also, school has started. It is back in session. Please watch for those children that are standing in the dark at those bus stops and um, also be sure to watch out for those big red big yellow buses. Thank you.

Thank you, member Burkwitz. Thank you, Madame Executive. I'd like to request that your presentation be added to the agenda. Um, it's not on it. I've looked on our portal. Um, I would have loved to have been able to review it uh prior to the meeting. I went on the public portal and I wasn't able to pull up Yeah. your presentation on the public portal either. So, can we please have that added for future reference? My presentation was a speech. There's no added document. So, we didn't have any. Yeah. The budget document is the Yeah.

But but you had a written speech and I know speech. Yeah. Okay. We we can't put that on there. I I I mean Okay. I guess people can search the minutes. Thank you. All right. Member Ortiz.

Thank you, Madam Executive. I'm sorry I should have said this during legislative, but for any members um on the board, departments, community organizations, uh for those who are interested in having their input on our state and legislative agendas, the deadline is August 25th, this upcoming Monday. Please reach out to Tim Hris by Monday, if you want to have your input considered. His email address is tendrix, that's t hen d r i c ks. Yep, putting you out there, my guy at willcount.gov. Thank you so much. Uh, member Ogala.

Thank you. I also want to wish Mary Tetro well in her retirement. Um, she served the board for many, many years. Spent so many hours with all of us here and a lot of them, a lot of other board members who are not here today. Um, she gave up time on the weekend. She'd answer calls after hours. Uh, she did a tremendous job with that. Although again, we don't always get the answer we want, but that's just kind of how it goes. So, um, one thing I want to mention too is that, you know, we have a working team of cannabis people and opioid people who help work out in the county board side as to what we want to see where we want those dollars to be spent. and um that in addition to the budget as a whole, I would really love the opportunity to have more of a dialogue with the executive's office with our leadership team and the working team for both the cannabis and the opioid dollars so that when we come here, we're in agreement of what we're going to spend our money on for cannabis and opioid because that's a decision that, you know, county board typically will make. If we have those conversations in advance, we don't have to have any changes to that part of the budget. Um, as far as the budget goes, I think it's something that we need to really consider moving forward. Um, looking at how we really want to continue to uh move taxes forward. If the personnel budgets at 73%, that's an issue. That's an issue for us. How long and how far can we sustain that? So, it's something we need to consider. As far as uh different departments looking to hire different employees or more employees, you know, in the past when somebody was hired under a grant, once the grant was gone, their job was gone. They were hired under the grant. They knew that they were hired under the grant. So, we cannot continue to continue to grow government. That's something we have to look at. We had one lady come here today about taxes, and I agree with her. In Illinois, we are taxed to death. We cannot continue to have those taxes. We need to do what we

can at our level and talk with people at other at the other levels within the government whether it's the state local school board and fire. I mean local schoolboard and fire they tax to the max every single time. So everybody in this room should be having those conversations because we really need to look at what we're going to do and how we're going to move forward because it becomes a point when people are paying a thousand or more dollars a month just in taxes for their house. that is totally unsustainable. Thank you. Member Logan.

Uh so public health September 4th, I invite I invite all the members to attend. Um I'm putting forward a resolution that's going to revolutionize mental health uh assistance in Will County. Uh the fire chief from Joliet's going to be there. He has a very successful program. Uh Jeff Kerry is going to be there. He's going to talk about it. So, I don't want to give any more information, but September 4th, uh, come see uh, Mr. Butler and his uh, his meeting. A teaser. That's like Yeah. Yeah. Member Triner.

Thank you, Madam Executive. I, too, very appreciative of all the years of service that Mary Tro has given to our community. I want to encourage everybody to take a trip to Patone. Not exactly next door from Bowling Brook, but I had the fortune of attending the county fair yesterday. And although it was the opening day and kind of slow, it does look like it's going to be a really fun event. And I know they have a lot of evening things planned like demolition derby and so forth. So get out there and uh see what's going on in our community. Thank you.

Thank you. Um leaders, anything? Member, I'm sorry, Leader Williams. Okay. I realize that I neglected to inform everybody that I was appointed to the state um county elected officials compensation task force and they're reviewing the stipens for elected officials. So, um we've had one meeting I couldn't make. We only had two meetings so far and um actually discussing how much the state will be paying if they'll be paying extra and if they'll continue with it. So I'll keep everybody informed of where we're at with that.

You leader Richmond, I want to put you on the spot. Yes. Yep. Yes. No. Now we're approaching the most favorite time of the year for me. So, I know I look forward to We would never know. I look forward to reviewing the budget book and I hope that everybody gets a chance to review it and I either side of the aisle if you see something or there's something that you want uh brought up. I'll be more than happy to discuss it with anyone, take a look at the at the budget uh with a deep dive. So, thank you very much. Thank you, Speaker Van.

Thank you, Madam Executive. I guess going last. Uh, everybody always jumps in on things that you want to say, but I'll start by um saying Mr. Zack Strupek from the Will County Public Public Defenders Office, he had to leave and he was here this morning and he had to go to court. So, he asked me to relay these comments. He just basically wanted to thank the county board for everything that we have done and considering the the budget request. Um, he says it Thank you. I'm sorry, Speaker. I don't know if that's a public comment and I don't know if you can do that for him. So why don't you just give it you want I know I know it's a nice thing but I was asked. Okay.

So we'll skip that. Um so I will um I also would like to thank Mary Tetro for all her years of service and I wish her the most happiest uh retirement and and thank you for all the work that she has done. Um, we do have the Will County Fair going on and we do have a table there and and I encourage all the folks to come out and and say hello and meet your constituents. I I understand a few board members had already had the opportunity. Um, it goes on all weekend. It's always good time. Um, the um budget presentation, thank you for the budget presentation. Um, I also wanted to encourage anyone also like leader Richmond that if there's any questions or concern, I know you your office has always been open to have conversations. I would also like to be involved with both sides of the aisle to see if there are any concerns so we can address them before our our famous meeting. and um want to thank the county board members for the most incredible speedy speediest meeting that we've had in quite some time. So I think um I think getting our questions answered at committee and and talking it over with our caucuses is possibly starting to pay off and and I encourage everyone to continue doing so. So thank you very much.

Thank you. No, sir. You had your county board member minutes already. So, we're moving on on the agenda. Yeah.

Yes, sir.

Okay. So, number six on our land use committee. I know we uh you broke the tie on that one. Uh, I think the board were we under the impression that that was going to go back to committee to be redebated and um like solve their issue because right now that applicant is going to be in the timeout chair for a year and the only choice they have is to go back to committee and ask for a map amendment which is going to be controversial for our residents. Again, that's why I was saying in my comment it's kind of like 1 plus three or 2 plus two. We're just making it more complicated now for the residents. So, can there be a motion to reconsider that item before we close out this meeting today? Give me a minute. My initial gut feeling on this is no, it's already been passed. What people's individual um belief is is not necessarily a reason uh to reconsider, but give me one minute and I'll I'll look through this.

Okay. Craig didn't differ on that. If the the motion the the time to motion to reconsider is while we're at session, not after. I No, I'm not asking to leave session. I'm saying let me get through. Let me look at this real quick and I'll get you an answer during the session. It's Can we get a 10-minute recess to look party wants to make a motion to for whatever? Oh, a five minute recess. Yeah, you don't. Yeah, we don't we don't need it. We can wait for We'll wait for them. This is Yeah, we'll wait for it. I'm like, yeah, this is great. I know we had a quick meeting. I just want to make sure we get this sorted out.

No. What is he?

All right, we're gonna Yeah, hold on, guys. We are We're going to take a two minute. We're just going to take a two-minute recess. Um, can I get a motion? Take a two-minute recess by Trinire, second by Mitchell. All in favor? I apologize.

Member Oxley. Yes. I would like to make a motion to revote this issue. There was some reconsider this issue. There was some confusion in the verbiage here and it's been cleared up. Okay. Can you you going to have to identify what we are making a motion to rec you know item six motion to approve under land use committee. Okay. So, we have a motion to reconsider by Oxley. Is there a second? Second, Mitchell. Second by Mitchell. Is there any discussion on the motion to reconsider? I think there was a lot of confusion because um I think maybe the screen stopped moving and people got lost on it because if there was ever, you know, this this would be a good uh

to allow this person to have his business, this is like a perfect spot. So, Right. All right. Very good. Um motion we're just talking about the motion to consider. We can talk about the project when we we take the vote on it again. So mo do you have a question on the motion to reconsider? Yes. Okay. Member not on the issue on the Yeah. What we do right now? We're just vote again. We're going to vote again. Yes. Right now. So okay. Thank you. Member Ortiz. So it's two votes, right? One to reconsider and then we're taking right now the motion to just reconsider right now. Okay. So, your a question on the rec? Yes.

There's no question. I'm asking um my fellow board members to please um vote to reconsider this um motion. Thank you, ma'am. Um Madame Clerk, we're This is on the motion to reconsider. We are voting on the motion to just reconsider this. No, no, but my question is, is it just a simple majority or is it a Okay, thank you. Madam clerk, please call the role. Richmond, Williams, Dean Schlapman, Ogala. Butler, yes. Newquest Axley, Brooks, yes. Winfrey,

Bulock, Logan, Freeman, Revvice, Mitchell, Ortiz, Burkowitz, Hickeyi, Costa, Traineer, Van Dy,

yes. All right. With 14 in the affirmative, the motion is to reconsider. Mr. Oxley, would you like to or should we would you like to Oh, who from the He did he was he he was a correct one. Yes. Yes, he gets to do this. Oh, sorry. Sorry. Thank you. Sorry. I would make like like to make a motion to approve case 252. Second motion. Motion by Oxley, seconded by Dean Schlamman. Any discussion?

There was a lot of confusion on this and and I think it's a very appropriate thing to do.

Thank you, Member Nquist. Thank you, Madame Chairman. Chairwoman, I should say. Um I do not object at all to the landscape business there. Um but after the land use meeting um I just felt it was appropriate for them to apply for a new um resoning and the reason is because and if someone from land use is here they might want to mention this. We do not allow um the special use permits that they are asking for at all in in a residential zoning. I mean, the neighbor that has the special use permit is basically the only one. I mean, this is not something that is ever permitted in residential. And it makes it increasingly difficult to hold the line for future residential special use permits. And that's why I'm a no on this, not because I object to the landscaping business at all. Thank you,

member Traneer.

You, Madame Executive. I again, I will be a yes on this issue. I think it's best for the community, best for the neighborhood. Um, I get it's not our normal way of doing business, and I do understand why the staff suggested the I uh one reasonzoning map amend, I should say map amendment, but I don't think that's best for the community. I think it's best that we try to mirror this property to the one identical to it next door. He's just asking to be given the same rights as his neighbor. I I can't stress that enough. And I just I'm about fairness. Treat people fairly. And I understand the staff's position and I understand my fellow board members wanting to respect the staff's position, but it's our job to vote after their recommendation. And if we were just going to go along with everything that the staff said, we don't need to be here in these seats. We can just let the staff run the county. And I think I was elected to um listen to all the information and then make the best decision for the case. And I will be a yes. Thank you. Thank you, member Butler.

Yeah, I just want to say I I mean I get that you know you set up rules and you want to follow them and you know if you had a neighborhood with a bunch of houses, you know, and someone opened up a business with a bunch of machinery and next to the neighbors, you know, you're you're trying to protect the rest of the neighborhood. But we have like an island surrounded by industrial properties. And if ever there was a instance where you could have a home business, this would be one. I mean, this is not like in the middle of a neighborhood. This is literally surrounded by an industrial park. Thank you, Member Revis.

Yeah, member Butler uh basically took the words out of my mouth. Again, it's just about matching his property to the uh property right next door. Um, this is a very weird little spot. We got a beautiful P He P He P He P He P He P He P He P He P He P He P Heat Forest Preserve, Will County Forest Preserve right there. You know, it was a very beautiful stretch of uh forest and, you know, connecting to the DuPage County Forest Preserve and the Cook County Forest Preserve. So, it's a very weird little area. Member Nquist, I agree with what you're saying totally and I see that perspective, but I think this is one of those cases where we have to apply the human element and just kind of like work through the problem so they don't make we're not making it more intrusive and more difficult for the residents and the residents next door because if we put this map amendment sign up, there's going to be people revved up and riled up over the same thing that we could just take care of today and do business today. So that's my take on it. I'm a yes.

Member Freeman. So, I was not confused at all about my vote. Um, sitting through the sessions on the Lasal factors and learning about them and reading the staff's opinion. Um, I will continue to vote no. Thank you. Member Mitchell.

Um, I'm just going to just speak in further endance of what uh board member Revvice said. uh there's already a landscaping company in the area that has residential. The neighbors are comfortable with that. Sometimes you have to apply common sense. The neighbors are comfortable with it being residential. Should this landscaping company decide they no longer want to do landscaping, they feel comfort in the fact that this can always go back to a residential property. So, I'm asking my board members to do this because no matter what, it's still going to be a landscaping company either way, and it makes it more comfortable for the neighbors. They can adjust very well to the ter to the fact that this is a residential property as opposed to an industrial property. Sometimes we have to think about the people that we're serving. And uh and I hope that and I I think that uh member Ortiz shares my sentiment. And I just want to say thank you,

Member Hickey. I'm so sorry. Um, I just hear uh that we're talking about I don't know why the neighbor was given the designation that he was given, why the special use permits were extended there, but we have rules and we're trying to follow the rules and I I understand the human element and I I understood the issue prior to this, but I I don't see that suspending our rules in order to make this work for this person is the right thing to do because then are we going to do that every time something comes to us that's a little bit sticky? I'm just I'm not sure where we're going with this, but thank you.

Thank you, Member Bulock.

Yeah, I'm going to kind of weigh in on that piece of the puzzle as well. I feel like we're starting a slippery slope here where we're saying anybody with an R1 can now put a business on their property and I don't think that's the intent of an R1. Um, and at what point do we stop the but it they got to do it syndrome because that was another board many years ago that that decision was made. We are the board now and we know what we should be using R1 for and there is a way that he can achieve what he wants to achieve by using another designation and special use permit uh for the H is this a housing one too? Yes. So, a special use permit to keep the house the way it is, there is a way to go around it that still fits within the parameters. It doesn't make it a special exception.

Member Williams. Um, I was originally a no, but after some consideration, I do believe that leaving it a residential if and when these people decide to leave is probably in the best interest of the neighborhood. So I am going to be a yes. Member Butler for a second time. You get two minutes.

I'm usually pretty quick. So um yeah, if if you're not sure and you don't, you know, have a good handle on this, you know, maybe this would be a good time to abstain. You know, um why weigh in on something if you're unclear? And as Jackie and often times we don't agree, but I I would have to agree with her. We are here to make decisions and it shouldn't be just stamped process. Everything has to be taken in consideration and obviously if anyone looked at this, this is an obvious exception to the rule. It it's an isolated area. Their neighbor is in the same isolated area. So, I I would say that, you know, maybe maybe a simple just stay out of it and abstain if you're not fully uh understanding the process here.

Right. Thank you. I see no more discussion. Madame clerk, will you please call the role? Richmond Williams. Dane Slapman Ogala Butler. Yes. Newquest Axley Brooks. Yes. Winfrey. Bulock. Logan. Yes. Raymond Revis. Mitchell. Yes. Ortiz. Burkowitz. Hickeyi. Costa. Trainer. Yes. Vandine.

Yes. with 14 in the affirmative. The motion carries. Thank you. At this time, I need a motion to enter executive session to discuss collective bargaining. Motion by Revvis, seconded by Traneer. Madame clerk, please call the role. Richmond Williams, Dean Schlapman, Ogala. Okay. Uh Butler, Newquist, Axley, Brooks. Yes. Winfrey Bulock Logan. Yes. Freeman. Revis. Yes. Mitchell.

Yes. Ortiz. Yes. Burkowitz. Hickeyi. Costa. Traineer. Vanine. Yes. 20.