JOLIET— The Will County Board is not ceding any ground in its fight against the opioid crisis, an epidemic that has now spread across the country. At its most recent meeting, the Board voted to approve a second year of funding from a five-year grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to fight opioid addiction.
 
“We’re fortunate in Will County that we caught on to the opioid crisis early,” said Judy Ogalla (R-Monee), chair of the Public Health Committee. “This grant from the Department of Human Services bolsters our fight, but we still have a ways to go. We will continue to battle this epidemic with all of the tools available.” 

JOLIET-- The Will County Board has unanimously approved the appointment of board member Gloria Dollinger (R-Joliet) to the Will County Workforce Investment Board, a business-led policy and decision making organization that aims to create programs and support for the local workforce.
 
"I’m honored to represent the Will County Board as a member of the Workforce Investment team," said Dollinger. "I look forward to working and strategizing with the rest of the members to create more jobs and to continue to develop a strong workforce in Will County."
 
The Workforce Investment Board consists of a mix of public and private sector members, and required to have members from the private sector, public sector, education, and labor.  The Board is responsible for putting together a number of employment, training, and educational services. Dollinger will replace Will County Board Speaker Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort) on the Board.
 
“We need to make sure we have a world class workforce system in Will County, for both employers and job seekers, now and in the future,” said Workforce Investment Board Director Pat Fera. “Gloria will add an important perspective to the board with her experience in both government and healthcare.”
 
Dollinger was first elected to the Will County Board in 2016, and has lived in Will County for more than 30 years. Dollinger graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana, followed by a degree in Nutrition and Medical Dietetics from the University of Illinois. She is a registered dietitian certified in obesity and adult weight management.
 
Dollinger will attend her first meeting with the Workforce Investment Board in August. Her term runs until September 2019.

​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.”