JOLIET, IL- The Will County Board today called on residents to reach out to elected officials in Springfield and appeal for a funding solution to keep local state road projects from shutting down on July 1.  IDOT has already notified contractors to secure construction zones by June 30 for a possible long-term shutdown.  County projects will continue, though.

"The state budget impasse is affecting every corner of our lives," said Suzanne Hart (R-Naperville), chair of the legislative & policy committee. "Very important road projects will soon be halted, and taxpayers will be on the hook for the additional expenses associated with stopping the work.  We are calling on all Will County residents to contact your representatives and senators in Springfield and tell them this is not acceptable."

JOLIET, IL- The Will County Board approved two intergovernmental agreements to add electronic recycling drop off sites in New Lenox Township and the Village of Peotone.  The move comes in response to the county abruptly losing its longtime vendor back in March.

"Electronic recycling is an issue for residents in my district who have been asking for help in finding a solution, and I'm pleased we now have a real option for them again," said board member Ray Tuminello (R-New Lenox).  "Quite frankly, it's a shame there are not more places to dispose of these types of products in a safe and environmentally friendly way.  For many years, it was a tough sell to get people to recycle anything, and now many are mindful of what they send to landfills but are faced with limited recycling options for electronics."

JOLIET, IL- The Will County Board's legislative committee heard a bleak financial report from the county's only public university. Governors State University (GSU) has not received nearly $17 million of state appropriations and received a downgrade from S&P because of Illinois' budget crisis.

"We are doing everything possible to put students first," said GSU President Elaine Maimon. "I thought it was important for you, as Will County leaders, to know your public university is in trouble and needs your support."

JOLIET, IL - The Will County Board approved a significant labor agreement with local union contractors that sets the stage for building a new courthouse, sheriff's office and health department building in a timely, cost effective manner with the highest level of quality and no delays.

"Will County has some of the finest contractors and craftsman in the entire state, and we are pleased to partner with them in building a better county for generations to come," said Speaker Jim Moustis.  "We look forward to getting shovels in the ground soon."

JOLIET, IL- The Will County Board approved the allocation of nearly $30,000 of a federal Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for heroin education in Lincoln-Way high schools and Wilmington junior high and high schools to help combat the heroin epidemic that has seen the county experience a record number of deaths.

“Part of the solution to ending the heroin epidemic is educating kids early on about how real and serious this issue has become in our community," said board member Ragan Freitag (R-Wilmington).  "I've seen firsthand the consequences of heroin overdoses when a good friend died during my first year of practicing law.  This devastates families and destroys lives, and as elected officials, we need to do all we can to stop it."