​JOLIET – The Will County Board voted this week in favor of green energy by increasing the amount of renewable electricity they purchase to 50 percent. The county currently purchases 12 percent of their energy from renewable sources. Twelve percent is the minimum level set by the Illinois General Assembly. 

JOLIET  – Today, the Will County Board received a $63,000 incentive check from ComEd and Nicor for including energy efficiency measures in the design and construction of the new Public Safety Complex and Sheriff’s Department. 

JOLIET  – The Illinois State Crime Commission (ISCC) has recognized Will County Board member and Majority Leader Chuck Maher (R-Naperville) with a 2018 Award for Excellence in County Government for his work on the Will County Board.  The ISCC honors individuals each year that it deems have exhibited excellence in government, business, and community service achievements.
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“I’m incredibly honored to have received this award from such a remarkable organization,” Maher said. “Although a lot has been accomplished since I first joined the Will County Board more than a decade ago, there’s still work to be done. I look forward to continuing my efforts on the Board and serving my constituents.”

JOLIET  – The Will County Board shifted its Community Friendly Freight Mobility Plan into gear at its February Board Meeting with a vote to implement a new permitting system for oversized trucks that is designed to keep roads running smoothly for Will County residents.

“Maintaining quality of life for our residents is vital, especially as we balance it with the freight industry in Will County,” said Will County Board Speaker Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort).  “This new Oxcart program will help us achieve that balance so that residents can continue to move safely throughout the county.”
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By law, overweight and oversized trucks must obtain a permit to drive on county highways. Currently, application for these permits is still executed by fax. Oxcart Permit Systems, LLC, is a Palatine, Illinois-based company that provides an online platform to facilitate permitting and payments for oversize and overweight trucks. 

JOLIET  – Will County Board Member Suzanne Hart (R-Naperville) is calling on county residents to support animal safety bills as they make their way through Springfield.  Senate Bill 2280, dubbed the Animal Welfare - Pet Shops bill, would put restrictions on the retail sale of dogs and cats by pet shop owners in Will and DuPage counties. It is awaiting committee assignment.

“Now is the time for citizens to step up and tell their lawmakers to vote for these bills,” said Legislative & Policy Committee Chair Suzanne Hart (R-Naperville). “I'm asking residents to make their voices heard so we can eradicate puppy mills and animal cruelty here for good. We need to provide a voice for these animals because they can't speak for themselves.”
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SB2280 would require stores to only sell dogs and cats from a 501c3 organization. Consumers will also still have the option to purchase puppies from breeders; reputable, responsible breeders do not sell animals to pet stores, brokers, or online. The hope is that the legislation will curb the operation of unscrupulous breeders that often house many animals in poor conditions. The animals are often poorly bred leading to myriad health problems that can cost owners large sums of money. 

JOLIET— The Will County Board today passed an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Joliet that will lead to the opening of Chicago Street, the construction of a new parking lot near Union Station, and the transfer of various parcels of land. The changes will support the new courthouse being built on the corner of Ottawa and Jefferson streets, while improving the City of Joliet's infrastructure.
 
"I'm glad we could come to this agreement with Mayor O'Dekirk, who has been a big supporter of our new state-of-the-art courthouse," said Board Speaker Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort). "It demonstrates how different levels of government can work together to the benefit of both the County and the City."
 
Through the agreement, the County will transfer a parcel of land to the City of Joliet between Washington and Jefferson streets, which will allow the City to connect existing portions of Chicago Street and open it up to through traffic. Since this move will eliminate some parking, the County and City will construct a new parking lot near Union Station. 

JOLIET, IL – Will County officials today broke ground on a new state-of-the-art Courthouse, which will replace the current facility on Jefferson Street in Joliet.
 
“This new courthouse will place us squarely in the forefront of public safety and justice administration in Illinois. Enhancing public safety for residents is of utmost importance to this board," said Board Speaker Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort). "The existing space had become too small, inefficient and costly to operate. The new courthouse will create a safer and more efficient building for our workers, for jurors and for the visiting public. It will also provide enough space as the county continues to grow."
 
The new courthouse will be built on the former First Midwest Bank site, on the southwest corner of Ottawa and Jefferson streets in downtown Joliet. Demolition of the First Midwest Bank building is expected to be complete in early 2018. The county purchased that property in 2014.

JOLIET— Will County's new consolidated 911 Dispatch Center and Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) goes live this week bringing together  31 separate communities under one centralized roof to better coordinate and respond to emergencies.  The consolidation is one of the first and largest in the state.
 
"I'm very proud of the Will County Board for rising to the occasion and working with the ETSB on the mandate they received by the state to consolidate," said Board Speaker Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort). "With the Board's help, 31 communities will now be better served by this one single state-of-the-art facility."

JOLIET  – The Will County Executive Committee moved forward this week with a request for the Illinois State Tollway Highway Authority to conduct a feasibility study for the purposes of widening I-80 through Will County by creating an additional new dedicated toll lane.
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“The portion of I-80 that runs through Will County is often congested and many times greatly exceeds the capacity it was designed for,” said Will County Board Speaker Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort). “With the limited road construction resources that the state has, we need to look at all options including adding toll lanes.”

JOLIET  – The Will County Board Legislative Committee passed their 2018 state legislative agenda this week, outlining priorities and concerns that they hope the 100th General Assembly will address in the coming year. The full board is expected to accept the agenda at their board meeting on December 21.

“The issues that we’re concerned about range from consumer and animal welfare to transportation to environmental issues,” said legislative and policy committee chair Suzanne Hart (R-Naperville). “We keep apprised of the issues and make sure that we are working closely with our state legislators to best serve our constituents.”

Among the items that the County Board is looking for Springfield legislators to adopt in the New Year is a bill regulating the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits; and another bill allowing individuals to rescue animals from motor vehicles without civil and criminal liability. Hart thanked State Senator Mike Connlley (R-District 21) for sponsoring both pieces of legislation.