Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Landfill Committee for February 10, 2026
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | February 10, 2026
The Will County Landfill Committee met on Tuesday to address legal preparations for the upcoming landfill expansion and operational needs at the Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility. The meeting was dominated by a presentation from Special Assistant State’s Attorney Charles Helsten, who detailed the “ethical wall” required to separate the County Board’s role as decision-makers from the county staff’s role as applicants. The committee also reviewed financial data showing the RNG plant is operating at a net loss after debt service, despite record production numbers in late 2025.
In addition to the legal briefing, the committee took decisive action to improve the RNG plant’s reliability by approving a major equipment purchase.
Brief: Heavy Equipment Purchase Paused
The committee agreed to pause the proposed purchase of a manlift and telehandler for the RNG facility, opting to continue leasing the equipment for the immediate future. Director Dave Hartke presented quotes showing a cost of $90,000 for a manlift and $252,000 for a telehandler. Currently, the county leases these items for approximately $3,000 per month. Hartke suggested waiting until later in the fiscal year to reassess finances before committing to the $342,000 capital expense. “I think that would be the conservative approach at this point,” Hartke said. The committee directed staff to attempt to bypass third-party markups by contacting Sunbelt Rentals directly to negotiate a purchase price for the currently rented units.
Brief: Minutes and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM with a quorum present. Members in attendance included Herbert Brooks Jr. (D-Joliet), Dawn Bullock (D-Plainfield), Kelly Hickey (D-Naperville), Sherry Newquist (D-Steger), Dave Oxley (R-Lockport), and Frankie Pretzel (R-New Lenox). The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the January 13, 2026, meeting. There were no public comments.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Illinois quick hits: Another attack on CTA passenger; plaintiffs move to dismiss their ICE use of force case
WATCH: Pritzker: ‘No’ to state taxpayer-funded guaranteed income
WATCH: IL congresswoman willing to withhold highway dollars over CDL issues
Disability group, coroners press governor ahead of assisted suicide decision
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Beecher for November 24, 2025
WATCH: U.S. Rep. Miller live; Heated rhetoric in Congress; SNAP, ‘basic income’ debate
Solution Found to Revive Broken Junior High Digital Sign
Beecher Sets Schedule for Parade of Lights and Holiday Contests
“Cheaper to Go Up”: Beecher Schools Discuss Vertical Expansion Concepts
Weather Delays Force Extension of Leaf Collection in Beecher
Beecher Digs Out from 12.4 Inches of Snow; Sub-Zero Cold Forecast for Friday
Illinois rejects federal ‘no tax on tips’ rule, keeps state tax on tipped income
Contractors Clash on Cause of Elementary School Leaks; Committee Weighs Window Replacement
Frankfort Turns to County for Wildlife & Dangerous Animal Control
