County Board Approves Major Code Updates, Discusses Employee Benefits
The Will County Board Executive Committee approved several ordinance updates Wednesday while engaging in detailed discussions about employee compensation and benefits.
The committee passed ordinances updating three chapters of the county code, including revisions to personnel regulations, emergency management agency structure, and public records procedures. The updates include changing the Emergency Services and Disaster Management Agency to the Emergency Management Agency and updating various statutory references throughout the code.
A significant discussion emerged regarding longevity pay for county employees during review of the personnel regulations chapter. Board member Jim Richmond raised concerns about the cost of longevity payments, which he calculated at approximately $340,000 annually based on the 2025 budget.
The county currently provides two types of longevity pay: a modest payment starting at $6 per month after three years of service (maxing out at $40 per month), and a $200 monthly payment for employees who reach the top of their pay scale. Richmond suggested the board should examine these costs in future budget discussions.
“We’ve gone from like four or $500,000 to three-quarters of a million dollars in just the past three or four years,” Richmond said, noting the increases have accelerated as the $200 payments expanded.
The committee also approved contracts totaling $1,725,000 for workforce development programs with Joliet Junior College, including $1,300,000 for youth occupational training and $425,000 for work readiness programs.
Other approved items included property acquisition contracts for a new highway maintenance facility in Monee totaling $545,000, and funding for River Valley Detention Center improvements including a $180,000 body scanner and $136,000 in structural modifications to comply with state juvenile justice standards.
The committee also approved appointments to the Lockport Cemetery Association and METRA Commuter Rail Board.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Rich Township Edges Crete-Monee in 10-9 Conference Thriller
Crete-Monee Offense Powers 18-3 Rout of Rich Township
Access Will County Dial-A-Ride Reports Massive Growth After Consolidating Paratransit Services
Crete-Monee School Board Advances $17 Million Abatement for Ongoing Capital Projects
Legislative Committee Advances Resolution Opposing Kidney Disease Treatment Delegation Act
Commission Approves Massive Lake Michigan Water Infrastructure Project for Troy Township
Committee: Capital Improvements Committee Weighs $300 Million Options for Downtown Joliet Campus
Rich Township Offense Powers Past Crete-Monee, 21-4
Crete-Monee Offense Powers 18-8 Victory Over Rich Township
State Legislative Update: Housing Mandates, Mega Projects, and Data Centers Prompt Local Control Concerns
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for May 5, 2026
Committee Advances Nearly $212,000 in Road and Facility Contracts for Jackson Township and Monee
