Will County Committee Debates Process for Taking Positions on State Legislation

Will County Legislative Committee members engaged in substantial discussion Thursday about how the committee should review and take positions on state legislation, with several members expressing concerns about the process and information provided.

The discussion arose as the committee considered multiple items related to amending the county’s state and federal legislative agendas and taking positions on specific bills affecting Will County. Committee Chair Destiny Ortiz had presented a list of bills directly affecting the county, with preliminary “support” designations that sparked debate about the committee’s review process.

“I think we’re kind of trying to coalesce now, try to find its rhythm,” said County Board Chief of Staff Chuck Pelkie. “I think the committee seems to be trying to find its rhythm.”

Committee Member Kelly Hickey expressed concern about the amount of information provided and the committee’s ability to make informed decisions.

“I read these and I tried to look to see what was changing because you get down into the statute. I don’t do that, most of our elected officials I don’t think do that,” Hickey said. “I guess I kind of thought that’s what we were going to go through today… I was really overwhelmed when I saw how many there were because I thought there’s no way we were going to be able to get through all of this.”

The committee ultimately voted against supporting a bill that would restore voting rights and eligibility for office for individuals with felony convictions after they’ve served their sentences, despite some members expressing support for the concept. Member Hickey noted the bill wasn’t moving forward in the legislature this session.

Members also declined to support Senate Bill 1608, the Cargo Transportation Act, which would allow municipalities or counties to impose fees on carriers with funds benefiting road projects on state and local trucking routes within five miles of an intermodal facility.

Committee Vice Chair Judy Ogala explained that the committee’s state legislative agenda typically expresses broad concepts rather than support for specific bills.

“Our state legislative agenda is our concept. We support the concept of this and we oppose the concept of that. We have to have a starting point,” Ogala said. “Typically, we’ve never changed the state or federal legislative agenda as it’s written. What we’ve done is amendments to it, and our amendments are more specific.”

Ortiz encouraged committee members to review the weekly legislative updates being provided by the county’s lobbyists and to submit questions in advance of meetings.

“I don’t think that anyone should wait until the day of committee to bring forward all their questions,” Ortiz said. “After this committee… we should not be waiting right before the committee to find out what’s going on. If you have things that you’re interested in, please bring them forward, please ask your questions so that we can get those answered before the committee.”

Member Dan Butler suggested spacing meetings differently to allow more time for review.

“When this stuff comes out on Monday and I get it, there’s all kinds of requirements with open meetings where you can’t really get together and talk and work on stuff… without having the staff and having it public, so it makes it really hard to do that,” Butler said.

The committee agreed to revisit several items at its next meeting after members have had more time to review the legislation.