Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee for March 10, 2026

Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | March 10, 2026

The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee met on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, to review a backlog of proposed updates to Title XI Business Regulations. While sweeping changes to the county’s liquor, tobacco, and video gaming ordinances dominated the discussion and were ultimately postponed for further legal drafting, the committee successfully advanced minor updates to the adult entertainment and wireless telecommunications codes to the Executive Committee.

Adult Entertainment Ordinance Advances:
The committee approved updates to Chapter 119 regarding Adult Entertainment Establishments. The revisions were primarily typographical, including correcting the spelling of “establishment” on page three of the packet. The committee also passed a motion by Board Member Sherry Newquist to strike the word “being” from several sub-items listed under the “Specified Criminal Act” definitions in Section 119.003 for grammatical clarity. Assistant State’s Attorney Phil Mock noted that the county’s adult use regulations are historically designed to be as strict and broad as legally permissible. The ordinance advanced to the Executive Committee unanimously.

Wireless Telecommunication Facilities Passed:
The committee approved updates to Chapter 122 covering Wireless Telecommunication Facilities, primarily updating legacy references from the “Department of Highways” to the “Division of Transportation.” During the discussion, Board Member Daniel J. Butler raised concerns regarding the radiation emitted by 5G towers placed in county rights-of-way, particularly given that the ordinance allows new alternative antenna structures to be placed as close as 100 feet apart. Assistant State’s Attorney Phil Mock advised that the county is not home rule and cannot legally force telecommunication companies to disclose radiation levels under the state’s Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act (50 ILCS 840/1). The measure ultimately passed and advanced, with Butler casting the lone dissenting vote.