Meeting Summary and Briefs: Legislative Committee for February 3, 2026

Legislative Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026

The Will County Legislative Committee convened on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to finalize its federal priorities and receive updates on state and national legislative activities. The committee unanimously approved the 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda and heard reports regarding the ongoing partial government shutdown in Washington.

Chair Denise Winfrey (District 6) led the meeting, which moved quickly through its agenda items.

News Briefs:

State Legislative Update:
Matt Murphy from Mac Strategies reported that the Illinois General Assembly has returned for its spring session, with a deadline for filing new bills set for this Friday, February 6. Murphy noted that while the current fiscal year budget appears balanced with a potential surplus, projections show a $2.2 billion deficit for the following year. The governor’s budget address is scheduled for February 18. Murphy also fielded questions regarding a potential senior property tax freeze and graduated income tax, clarifying that a graduated tax would require a constitutional amendment and voter referendum.

ISACo Tracked Bills:
Chair Winfrey directed committee members to review the list of bills tracked by the Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo). Vice-Chair Judy Ogalla (District 2) stated she would be highlighting specific bills relevant to Will County, such as one regarding permanent daylight saving time and another concerning senior property tax freezes, for the committee to take formal positions on in future meetings.

Federal Agenda Amendment:
The committee finalized the language for its 2026 Federal Agenda, specifically clarifying its stance on housing investment. Following a debate in previous meetings, the board agreed to language supporting HUD subsidies that encourage “institutional investors in affordable housing,” aiming to support development while avoiding the encouragement of predatory speculation. The agenda was approved unanimously.

Next Meeting:
The next meeting of the Legislative Committee is scheduled for March 3, 2026. The meeting adjourned at approximately 12:52 PM.