Will County Legislative Committee News Briefs

Committee Postpones Action on Felony Conviction Voting Rights Bill: The Will County Legislative Committee declined to support House Bill 1288, which would allow individuals convicted of felonies to run for state or local office after serving their sentences. Committee Member Sherry Williams noted that a person with prior felony convictions was recently removed from a township position. “I don’t think it’s fair that people who have past convictions can’t run for a township [office],” Williams said. Other committee members noted the bill hasn’t advanced in the state legislature, with Member Kelly Hickey saying, “I just don’t want to be in the habit of… supporting a bill that’s already not going anywhere.”

Road Usage Charge Details Clarified: County staff clarified that a proposed pilot program for road usage charges in the “United We Move” transit bill would not create double taxation for drivers. The program would exempt participants from the gas tax while testing a per-mile charge system. “This is just a pilot program with IDOT… it would not be a double taxation issue,” explained Mike Mahoney from the county executive’s office. “You would join this pilot program, you’d be exempt from gas tax, and they would see how it would function in the state.”

Committee Declines to Support Cargo Transportation Act: The committee did not move forward with supporting Senate Bill 1608, the Cargo Transportation Act, which would allow municipalities or counties to impose fees on carriers with funds benefiting road projects near intermodal facilities. The bill, sponsored by Senator Rachel Ventura, has not advanced significantly in the legislature, with lobbyists reporting that Senate Republican Leader John Curran recently removed his co-sponsorship of the measure.

Committee Discusses Continuing Tax Abatement Benefits: Committee members received a presentation on the impact of tax abatement and rebate agreements from 2015 and 2017 that supported development in Shanahan. The agreements, which are nearing completion, have resulted in substantial increases in property value, with the county expected to realize over $282,000 annually in property taxes from previously undeveloped land that would have generated only $800-$1,000 in taxes. Amazon, Michelin Tire, Cardinal Health, and Scotts are among the businesses now operating in the development areas.

Amendment Process for Legislative Agenda Discussed: The committee discussed the process for amending the county’s 2025 federal and state legislative agendas. Chair Destiny Ortiz explained that the documents serve as the foundation for the 2026 agendas currently being developed. Committee Vice Chair Judy Ogala clarified that the agendas typically express 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,” Ogala said, adding that amendments throughout the year typically address specific bills that align with those concepts.

Committee to Receive Update on UCCI Conference: Committee Member Judy Ogala announced she would provide a written update on the United Counties Council of Illinois legislative conference that she and other county representatives attended recently. Due to time constraints, the update will be distributed via email through the county’s chief of staff.