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Early voting is underway! Take some time today to plan your vote. Your voice matters, and it deserves to be heard.

#jdhfor97 #Plainfield #Joliet #Naperville #Aurora #Oswego #Shorewood #Montgomery #Channahon #Bolingbrook #BoulderHill #WillCounty #KendallCounty #Illinois
September 28, 2026 at 10:04 PM
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Sunshine, smiles, and so much hometown pride at the Plainfield Homecoming Parade this weekend! Huge thank you to everyone who came out to walk alongside me. So grateful for this wonderful community!

#jdhfor97 #Plainfield #WillCounty #KendallCounty #Illinois
September 28, 2026 at 4:26 PM
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I am so honored to have the support of Illinois educators who know firsthand what strong public schools mean for our communities. When we invest in our schools, we invest in our students, our neighborhoods, and the future of the 97th District. #jdhfor97 #WillCounty #KendallCounty #Illinois
September 23, 2026 at 1:19 AM
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Will County board members have voted to delay the Merit Commission appointment, raising concerns that this could hinder crucial hiring processes and background checks.

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #GovernmentTransparency #PublicSafety
Board postpones Merit Commission appointment until after incoming sheriff takes office
The board voted to postpone consideration of a Merit Commission appointment until after the incoming sheriff takes office, amid legal concerns that postponement could leave the commission with an even number of members and slow background checks and hiring.
citizenportal.ai
September 21, 2026 at 9:45 PM
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Silver Cross Hospital is making a massive impact in Will County, delivering $62 million in community benefits and supporting nearly 5,800 jobs while prioritizing health initiatives that truly matter.

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #EconomicImpact #CommunityHealth #NonprofitCare
Silver Cross Hospital tells Will County board it provided $62 million in community benefit last year
Silver Cross Hospital officials updated the Will County board on services, partnerships and a $1.3 billion annual economic impact; presenters said the hospital delivered roughly $62 million in community benefit in fiscal 2025 and defended its nonprofit property-tax exemption reporting.
citizenportal.ai
September 21, 2026 at 9:41 PM
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The Will County board just approved a controversial fourth extension for a solar project, raising questions about ownership changes and missing documents—what's really going on behind the scenes?

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #ZoningRegulations #RenewableEnergy
Will County board approves fourth extension for Prairie Solar permit amid questions about ownership and records
The board voted to grant a fourth 0.25‑year extension for a Prairie Solar special‑use permit in Peotone Township amid questions about company changes, missing backup documentation, LISA scoring and whether permits should transfer to new owners.
citizenportal.ai
September 21, 2026 at 9:40 PM
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Board members are demanding swift action on delayed immigration funding and passionately debating the future of public safety cameras in Will County.

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #ImmigrationServices #PublicSafety
Board members press for action on delayed immigration funding and debate Flock cameras
During member comments, County Board members criticized delays in distributing $200,000 for immigration services and debated Flock street cameras; some members called for ending Flock contracts, others defended cameras as a public safety tool.
citizenportal.ai
September 21, 2026 at 9:38 PM
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Election Day is quickly approaching on November 3rd! Vote Jessica Dixon Heitman to bring the voice of the 97th district to Springfield. #jdhfor97 #Plainfield #Joliet #Naperville #Aurora #Oswego #Shorewood #Montgomery #Channahon #Bolingbrook #BoulderHill #WillCounty #KendallCounty #Illinois
September 21, 2026 at 1:30 AM
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Will County board members are grappling with the delicate balance of maintaining a 0% levy while ensuring cash reserves meet the crucial 25% target for a AAA bond rating amidst a growing budget.

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #PublicFinance #CommunityTransparency
Board debates cash‑reserve targets and 0% levy strategy as budget grows
Members debated whether a 0% levy and reliance on volatile revenues are prudent as the corporate fund grew by $25M; board members referenced a 25% cash‑reserve target tied to a AAA bond rating and past reserve snapshots closer to 33–35%.
citizenportal.ai
September 18, 2026 at 12:51 PM
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A proposed 4 MW solar facility in Monee Township faces fierce opposition due to concerns about wetlands and drainage impacts, prompting a contentious public hearing.

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalImpact #CommunityInput #SustainableEnergy
Monee Township solar proposal stalled after residents and watershed experts flag wetlands and drainage concerns
US Solar’s 4 MW project in Monee faced strong opposition from neighboring landowners and the Watershed Committee over a 1.8-acre wetland and an intermittent stream on the site; the commission added screening conditions but denied the project’s special-use permit.
citizenportal.ai
September 18, 2026 at 11:58 AM
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Will County's corporate fund budget has skyrocketed to $311.3 million, with a surprising $25 million increase driven primarily by personnel costs!

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#WillCounty #IL #GovernmentTransparency #CitizenPortal #PublicFinance
Will County staff present $311.3M corporate fund budget, flag $25M expense rise
Finance staff told the board the corporate fund totals $311.3 million and that total expenses rose about $25 million (8.7%) year over year, driven mainly by personnel and benefit cost increases tied to recent bargaining and benefit trends.
citizenportal.ai
September 18, 2026 at 11:19 AM
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A proposed 5-megawatt community solar farm in Manhattan Township faces fierce opposition over safety and environmental concerns, leading to a commission vote against the project.

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #EnergyStorage #CommunityInput #PublicSafety
Manhattan Township solar and battery plan draws heavy public opposition; commission declines special permits
A proposed 5 MW community solar project with a 10-acre battery storage area prompted extensive testimony on watershed, drain tile and fire-safety risks. After lengthy public comment and added conditions proposed by the applicant, the commission voted down both the solar and the battery special-use permits.
citizenportal.ai
September 18, 2026 at 10:38 AM
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Honored to be endorsed by the Illinois Federation of Teachers. Thank you for standing with educators and fighting for students and schools. Teachers are the pillars of our communities and I look forward to our partnership. #jdhfor97 #WillCounty #KendallCounty #Illinois
September 16, 2026 at 9:00 PM
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The Northern Illinois Food Bank has distributed an astonishing 16 million pounds of food in Will County this year, but alarming SNAP losses threaten to leave thousands hungry.

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #SNAPReform #FoodSecurity #CommunitySupport
Northern Illinois Food Bank reports large distribution to Will County, flags SNAP losses
Northern Illinois Food Bank told the Will County executive committee it has delivered millions of meals to the county, received $1.5M in ARPA funding from Will County since 2023, and warned that SNAP work requirements have led to tens of thousands of lost participants in Illinois, with a steep local decline.
citizenportal.ai
September 16, 2026 at 2:30 PM
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A contentious debate erupts as the county board demands answers over the unspent cannabis-tax funds meant for a crucial ballot inserter, sparking tensions between the executive office and the clerk's team.

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #BudgetTransparency
Dispute over cannabis fund allocation and a ballot-inserter purchase exposes tension between board and executive
Members pressed county leadership about why an earlier county-board appropriation to buy a ballot inserter has not been released; the county executive and clerk's staff said implementation and fund-location questions remain after legislative changes gave officeholders additional internal control over allocations.
citizenportal.ai
September 15, 2026 at 9:37 PM
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The ambitious Caton Farm Road river crossing project, with a staggering estimated cost of $600 million, is at a standstill due to a lack of municipal sponsors and funding commitments.

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureDevelopment #TrafficRelief #EmergencyResponse
Long-stalled Caton Farm Road river crossing estimated in the hundreds of millions; sponsors needed, staff say
County staff told the executive committee the Caton Farm Road/9th Street river crossing project was estimated at roughly $600 million in 2022 (bridge alone about $288 million) and could not proceed because municipal sponsors and IDOT would not commit to building the full corridor; the board agreed re-starting the process would require legislative and multi-jurisdictional sponsorship.
citizenportal.ai
September 15, 2026 at 9:32 PM
jdhfor97.bsky.social
Spent some time at @jolietjrcollege.bsky.social to drop off clothing for their Food and Clothing Pantry for students. This is such a meaningful resource that helps students focus on their education without worrying about basic needs.
#jdhfor97 #Joliet #Jolietjuniorcollege #JJC #WillCounty
September 15, 2026 at 8:25 PM
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Honored to receive the endorsement of Planned Parenthood of Illinois Action. Thank you for your partnership and unwavering commitment to reproductive rights and health care access for all. I look forward to continuing this important work together! #jdhfor97 #WillCounty #KendallCounty #Illinois
September 14, 2026 at 4:37 PM
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Discover how Will County's SmartGov portal is transforming permit submissions, with nearly 87% going digital and insights into what causes delays for complex projects!

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #PermitIssuance
Will County staff outline permitting workflow, common causes of delay and service metrics
County staff presented SmartGov portal adoption, typical permit types and average review times, and identified common external causes of delay (Army Corps, FEMA, IDOT, wetland seasonality) that affect complex residential and commercial permits.
citizenportal.ai
September 11, 2026 at 8:56 PM
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Will County is harnessing the sun with about 1 gigawatt of approved commercial solar capacity, transforming 4.3% of its farmland into a renewable energy powerhouse!

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #SustainableDevelopment #RenewableEnergy #LandUsePolicy
Will County reports about 1 GW of approved commercial solar capacity, covering ~4.3% of farmland
Staff summarized county solar permit activity: approximately 99 zoning cases seen, 77 cases heard by the board, 31 permits issued, 16 in review and about 10 closed (operational), with roughly 1 gigawatt of approved capacity representing about 4.3% of county farmland acreage in the dataset used.
citizenportal.ai
September 11, 2026 at 7:36 PM
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Will County's new Land Resource Management Plan aims to balance farmland preservation, environmental protection, and economic growth—discover how this foundational resource will shape the future of the county!

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#WillCounty #IL #CommunityEngagement #PolicyDevelopment #CitizenPortal
Consultant Michael Bloom summarizes updated Will County land resource management plan
Tesco Associates lead planner Michael Bloom presented a condensed summary of the county's updated land resource management plan, highlighting the county's diversity, public engagement results and themes that will shape forthcoming policy and land‑use recommendations.
citizenportal.ai
September 11, 2026 at 6:47 PM
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Will County has granted a crucial final 180-day extension for the Prairie Solar project, keeping the original conditions intact despite a change in ownership.

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #AgriculturalLandProtection #RenewableEnergy #LandUsePolicy
Will County grants final 180‑day extension for Prairie Solar special‑use permit
The committee approved a retroactive 180‑day extension of a special‑use permit for a Prairie Solar community project in Peatone Township, noting ownership transfers (Trajectory → Standard Solar) and that extension preserves previously adopted permit conditions.
citizenportal.ai
September 11, 2026 at 6:16 PM
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DuSair LLC's ambitious plan to transform an old industrial site into a bustling oil terminal is gaining traction, but federal approvals could delay the project further.

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalApprovals #EconomicDevelopment #InfrastructureProjects
Committee extends DuSair LLC special‑use permits while federal approvals proceed
The committee granted a six‑month extension for multiple special‑use permits tied to DuSair LLC's proposed oil terminal project at 18500 9th Street (Romeoville); staff said the property owner is the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that federal approvals remain outstanding.
citizenportal.ai
September 11, 2026 at 5:50 PM
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Your vote is your voice - don't let a missed step silence it. Take a few minutes today and show up ready on November 3rd!

#jdhfor97 #Plainfield #Joliet #Naperville #Aurora #Oswego #Shorewood #Montgomery #Channahon #Bolingbrook #BoulderHill #WillCounty #KendallCounty #Illinois
September 10, 2026 at 8:48 PM
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Will County's financial health shines as the fiscal year 2025 audit reveals a remarkable $67 million net position increase and a $93 million unassigned general fund balance!

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#WillCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #GovernmentTransparency
Auditor: Will County net position up $67M; general fund shows $93M unassigned as of 11/30/2025
Cherry Bekaert presented Will County's FY2025 audit: auditors reported net position rose by about $67 million to roughly $1.126 billion, governmental fund balances increased and the general fund had about $93 million unassigned on 11/30/2025; auditors flagged implementation items around reporting and compensated‑absence measurement.
citizenportal.ai
September 9, 2026 at 7:34 AM