​JOLIET-- Along with a group of local legislators from around the country, Will County board member and Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mike Fricilone (R-Homer Glen), testified on Capitol Hill this week in defense of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction.  Over 125,000 middle class families in Will County save an average of $2,000 per year through the SALT deduction.
 
"This deduction keeps taxes low for our middle class residents," Fricilone said. "The SALT deduction is not only for the wealthy or residents of high-tax states, as it is often portrayed."
 
Taxpayers who itemize deductions on their federal income tax are eligible for SALT deductions. Through it, taxpayers can deduct their state and local property taxes, and either state income taxes or general sales taxes. The Trump administration's proposed tax reform plan would eliminate the SALT deduction.
 
"Eliminating the SALT deduction would essentially double tax our residents on income," Fricilone said. "Ultimately, eliminating this deduction will only shift the cost to the local level, and put pressure on state and local revenue systems."
 
About one-third of people who file taxes itemize deductions on their federal income tax returns, virtually all of which claim SALT deductions. Nationwide, more than half of the total amount of SALT deductions goes to people with incomes of less than $200,000 annually. In Will County, 90 percent of taxpayers filing SALT deductions earn less than $200,000 annually. SALT deductions have been in place since 1913 and the inception of the federal income tax.
 
Other state and local organizations have lobbied against the elimination of the SALT deduction as well, such as National Governors Association, the United States Conference of Mayors, and the National Conference of State Legislatures, among others. Fricilone spoke in Washington on July 11 on behalf of the National Association of Counties (NACo). 

JOLIET--  Will County Board Members whose districts were affected by a Canadian National Railway freight train derailment last night are calling for a swift and thorough investigation of the incident.
 
“I am extremely grateful that there have been no injuries reported from this accident so far, but we are facing a dangerous situation that requires a massive cleanup effort,” said Will County Board Member Gretchen Fritz (R-Plainfield). “I’m looking forward to a full and thorough investigation. We can’t afford to have something happen like this and put our residents at risk.”
 
A southbound freight train carrying crude oil derailed around 6:30 p.m. Friday near downtown Plainfield and the DuPage River. Some cars were reported leaking, and hazmat and environmental teams were at the scene to prevent fires and crude oil from reaching the DuPage River. Police ordered a half-mile radius evacuation around the scene of the evacuation.
 
“Canadian National as well as all other railroads must be extra diligent to ensure this type of accident never happens again,” said Darren Bennefield (R-Aurora). “The stakes are simply too high to compromise safety in any way, shape or form. This underscores the need for us as a nation to pay more attention to rail safety as more hazardous freight is hauled across the country, especially through Chicago and our backyards.”

JOLIET--  Will County has struck another agreement on electronics recycling, this time with Channahon Township. Through an intergovernmental agreement between the county and Channahon, residents will now have the ability to recycle old computers, televisions, and other residential electronic products at Channahon events.
 
"Ensuring residents have the proper facilities to recycle electronics is critical," said Board Member Debbie Militello (R-Channahon). "I'm glad we could come to this agreement with Channahon. It also dovetails nicely with the electronics recycling agreement we finalized with Wilmington earlier this month."
 
As of 2012, electronic products were banned from landfills under the state's Electronic Products Recycling & Reuse Act. This includes items such as computers, monitors, televisions, keyboards, printers, fax machines, video game consoles, scanners, satellite receivers, electronic mice, and more. Instead, electronic products are required to be disposed of in specified sites.
 
"Increasing access to proper electronics recycling ensures residents can dispose of these items in an environmentally friendly and safe way," said Board Member Don Gould (R-Shorewood).
 
Channahon residents will be able to drop off electronics every first and third Thursday of the month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Families of Faith Ministries. The recycling center will accept residential electronics and take up to two televisions per household. Residents must show and ID.

​JOLIET--  Two Will County Board members took a trip to the nation's Capital recently in order to speak with a Congressional Delegation and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) on behalf of Will County residents. Board Speaker Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort) and Board Member Suzanne Hart (R-Naperville) met with eight different legislators over the course of two days to discuss Will County’s transportation and infrastructure projects, as well as the County's response to the nationwide opioid crisis.
 
"It’s important to meet with our legislators face-to-face to have more meaningful discussions about the needs of our constituents," Moustis said. "We were especially pleased with the bipartisan support we received for our Friendly Freight Mobility Plan." 

​JOLIET--  Will County residents will soon have another spot to drop off old computers, televisions, and other electronic products thanks to an intergovernmental agreement between the county and the City of Wilmington. Under the agreement, Wilmington has agreed to host and maintain a collection site over two one-day collection events in 2017.
 
"Cell phones, televisions, laptops, you name it-- electronics are everywhere these days," said Board Member Don Gould (R-Shorewood). "It's important we dispose of these items in an environmentally friendly and safe way."
 
As of 2012, electronic products were banned from landfills under the state's Electronic Products Recycling & Reuse Act. This includes items such as computers, monitors, televisions, keyboards, printers, fax machines, video game consoles, scanners, satellite receivers, electronic mice, and more. Instead, electronic products are required to be disposed of in specified sites. The Wilmington recycling events will accept both electronic and traditional recyclables.
 
"The residents of Wilmington take pride in their city, and this program will help keep these products out of their ditches and off the side of the road," said Board Member Debbie Militello (R-Channahon). "I'm happy we could provide this service through the agreement between the county and Wilmington."

WILL COUNTY – The Will County Emergency Management Agency has announced the launch of a new emergency preparedness smartphone app entitled Ready Will County. This application will enable residents to create and manage personal emergency plans in the palm of their hand.
 
“Almost everyone has a smartphone these days, and the capacity of these phones is increasing rapidly,” said Will County Executive Larry Walsh. “You can manage your schedule and personal information from your phone, so it makes sense to have your emergency plans and information readily accessible through your phone, too.” 

JOLIET--  At today's Will County Board Meeting, members unanimously approved the appointment of Debbie Militello to the board's vacant position in District 6. The appointment comes after the previous representative of District 6, Ragan Freitag of Wilmington, retired from her position on the Board to become the Chief of Staff earlier this year.
 
Board Speaker Jim Moustis lead the search for a replacement board member, as the party of the departing board member gets to select the replacement. Kathey Havel, chairwoman of the Will County Republican Central Committee, nominated Militello for approval by the Will County Executive's office.
 
"I think Debbie will be a strong addition to the Will County Board, especially due to her extensive knowledge of the budget and of how Will County functions. Debbie also is uniquely qualified due to her experience in different levels of government, including local and state," said Board Speaker Jim Moustis. "The board will be working on a number of initiatives for county residents this year, and I'm glad we can move forward with a full board." 

​JOLIET, IL – Will County Board Member Annette Parker (R-Crest Hill) has recently been appointed to the Board of Directors for Cornerstone Services, an agency that provides services and support for individuals with disabilities in Joliet, Will County, and Kankakee County.
 
"I am honored to be a member of Cornerstone's Board of Directors," Parker said. "Cornerstone provides essential services to those with disabilities so they can lead more independent lives. I look forward to working with the other board members and the Cornerstone staff  to advocate for those in Will County who need a little bit more help getting their voices heard."

JOLIET, IL – Will County Board members decided to check the progress of one of the county's biggest capital improvement projects late last month. Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort), Gloria Dollinger (R-Joliet), and Don Moran (D-Romeoville) visited the new Public Safety Complex in Joliet, which is now ahead of schedule and under budget thanks to an accelerated contract. 
 
"It was rewarding to see the construction of the Public Safety Complex coming along so well," said Board Speaker Jim Moustis. "The project has been a great example of the county board leadership's efforts to make the lives of Will County residents safer."
 
Construction on the Public Safety Complex began in October 2016, and was initially estimated to be completed by March 2018 at a cost of $29.5 million. The building should be complete three months early, in December 2017, thanks to an accelerated contract.