JOLIET—The Will County Board today called on the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Pritzker to pass a robust capital plan that funds desperately needed improvements to I-80, I-55 and other roads and bridges in Will County which is home to the largest inland port in the United States.
​
“We’ve seen employment in the freight industry grow by 140 percent in Will County since 2005,” said Will County Speaker Denise Winfrey (D-Joliet). “We need a capital bill that will address the rapidly growing logistics industry and the overburdened infrastructure in Will County. At stake is the largest inland port in the United States. We cannot jeopardize this major economic engine.”

​JOLIET—Will County now has two members pitching the county’s priorities on the newly created Illinois State Association of Counites (ISACo).

Will County Speaker Denise Winfrey has just announced the appointment of board member Mimi Cowan (D- Naperville) to the ISACo Large Urban Counties Committee saying that she will be a strong, knowledgeable advocate for all of the counties in the group. 

“I am honored that Speaker Winfrey has the confidence in me to advocate for the 600,000 people of Will County on this new and important statewide county organization,” Cowan said.

When teen births decreased by 52% in Bolingbrook from 2014-2017, it was certainly noticed and celebrated by the community.  And it appears that a team effort by the Bolingbrook Alliance for Teen Pregnancy Prevention (BATPP), following a grant awarded to the Will County Health Department (WCHD), may have contributed to this good news.
​
"It is our responsibility to help our young people succeed as adults," said Will County Board Member Jackie Traynere (D-Bolingbrook) "Part of their success is tied to sex education and providing young people with the tools to responsibly plan for their futures. This collaboration will lead to happier, healthier adults and families in our community and that's good for everyone."

JOLIET – Will County Board members today condemned instances of racism, religious intolerance, and xenophobia that have recently been witnessed throughout the Chicago area and in Will County.
​
“As a county board, we are responsible for protecting the health and safety of the residents of Will County,” said County Board Speaker Denise Winfrey (D-Joliet). “Hatred, whether of race, religion or sexual orientation is dangerous. Our County will not tolerate it in any of our communities.”

JOLIET – The Will County Board broke ground today on a new 60,000 square foot building for the Will County Health Department (WCHD). The new facility will replace a century old building that the Health Department has operated out of since the 1940’s and which can no longer adequately serve the needs of county residents.
​
“This is a major improvement for public health in Will County,” said County Board Speaker Denise Winfrey (D-Joliet). “The County Board has worked with County Executive Walsh and Will County Health Department Executive Director Sue Olenek to make sure that residents can easily access the services that they need in one place.” 

JOLIET--The Will County Public Safety Complex today was named as the “Project of the Year” for 2018 by the American Public Works Association Southwest branch.  The 85,000 square foot facility received the award for the $25-$75 million structure category during a ceremony held at the Patrick Haley Mansion in Joliet on Wednesday January 9th.
​
“We are extremely gratified and humbled by this prestigious award for our new Public Safety Complex,” said Denise Winfrey, Speaker of the Will County Board.  “From design conception and first spade in the ground until completion late last year, every detail of our new Sheriff’s Office, 911 Dispatch Center and Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) was given meticulous attention and today that hard work paid off with this award.”