Board Establishes New Regulations and Fees for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026

Article Summary: In response to the state’s Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, the Will County Board passed Ordinance 26-134 to manage the collocation of small cell towers and wireless equipment within county rights-of-way.

Wireless Telecommunication Facilities Key Points:

• Sets a $450 application fee for a single wireless facility on an existing structure.

• Mandates an annual recurring rate of $200 per location for facilities placed on county-owned infrastructure.

• Limits above-ground ancillary equipment volume to 25 cubic feet.

The Will County Board on Thursday, April 16, 2026, unanimously passed Ordinance 26-134, establishing Chapter 122 of the Business Regulations to oversee Wireless Telecommunication Facilities. The 20-0 vote formalizes the county’s permitting process and fee structure in alignment with the Illinois Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act (50 ILCS 840).

The ordinance grants the Will County Division of Transportation the authority to regulate where and how telecommunication providers install new equipment, particularly “small cell” nodes used to boost cellular and Wi-Fi networks.

According to the approved text, companies must pay a $450 non-refundable application fee to collocate a facility on an existing structure. If the equipment is mounted on county-owned infrastructure, such as a traffic signal or streetlight, the provider must pay an annual recurring fee of $200 per location, or an amount equal to the county’s direct costs, whichever is greater.

The legislation mandates strict physical limitations to prevent visual clutter and right-of-way hazards. Antennas attached to existing structures cannot exceed ten feet above the tallest existing structure within 300 feet, or a maximum height of 45 feet above ground level. Furthermore, the total combined volume of all above-ground equipment (excluding the antenna, meters, and connection cables) is capped at 25 cubic feet.

To protect county assets, providers must submit a structural integrity analysis prepared by a licensed Illinois engineer ensuring the pole can handle wind and ice loads. Providers are completely financially responsible for any damage caused to county infrastructure during installation or maintenance and must provide a $20,000 performance bond to guarantee right-of-way restoration.

Violations of the chapter, including unauthorized installations or failure to remove abandoned equipment, will result in fines of $750 or twice the assessed application fee, whichever is greater, per day.