Public Works Committee: Will County Consolidates Paratransit Services Amid Funding Debates

Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | December 2, 2025

Article Summary: The Will County Board’s Public Works Committee advanced an agreement to consolidate paratransit services into a single countywide system starting in 2026. While the move secures a $1.3 million subsidy from Pace, board members expressed concern over long-term funding stability and potential taxpayer liability.

Paratransit Consolidation Key Points:

• Countywide Model: The new Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Pace consolidates service, meaning the county will directly manage subsidies previously handled by townships like Wheatland and DuPage.

• Service Expansion: The 2026 program will feature slightly expanded hours, starting one hour earlier in the day.

• Funding Shift: Will County will receive a $1.3 million annual subsidy from Pace to operate the “Access Will County” program.

• Future Risks: Republicans raised concerns about the lack of a contingency plan should state or federal grants dry up, potentially shifting the burden to property tax levies.

JOLIET, Ill. — The Will County Board Public Works and Transportation Committee on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, moved to centralize the county’s paratransit services, approving a 2026 agreement with Pace that aims to streamline operations for seniors and residents with disabilities.

The measure, which heads to the full board for final approval, authorizes the county to serve as the central mobility manager. Under the new structure, subsidies that previously flowed to individual townships—specifically mentioning Wheatland and DuPage Townships—will now be consolidated and managed by Will County.

“We don’t have to have an IGA with them,” said Elaine Bottomley of the Will County Division of Transportation, explaining the shift with the townships. “They sent a letter to Pace saying, ‘Hello, we’re no longer going to be operating our service. Will County through Access Will County is going to be taking over.'”

In exchange, Pace will provide the county with a subsidy of approximately $1.3 million for 2026 to operate the program. The agreement also includes a slight expansion of service hours.

While the committee ultimately approved the measure unanimously, the discussion highlighted anxieties regarding the long-term financial stability of the program. Board Member Steve Balich (R-Homer Glen) questioned what would happen if Pace or the state cut the subsidies in the future.

“If they cut the subsidies… the money to pay for this would come from the taxpayers in Will County under property tax,” Balich argued. “We should have a backup.”

Board Member Mark Revis (R-Plainfield) echoed these concerns, suggesting that the county needs to identify alternative revenue streams or “canned possible solutions” now, rather than waiting for a budget crisis.

“If the feds take away some of this money… it would be a major error issue with our structure here that would leave the burden on the taxpayer,” Revis said.

Bottomley responded that while the agreement locks in funding for the coming year, consolidating into a countywide system actually makes Will County more competitive for future grants.

“It’s a lot easier to apply for additional grant funds with a countywide system,” Bottomley said.

The committee voted to advance the agreement to the full board to ensure the program is operational by January 1.