Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Landfill Committee for February 10, 2026
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | February 10, 2026
The Will County Landfill Committee met on Tuesday to address legal preparations for the upcoming landfill expansion and operational needs at the Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility. The meeting was dominated by a presentation from Special Assistant State’s Attorney Charles Helsten, who detailed the “ethical wall” required to separate the County Board’s role as decision-makers from the county staff’s role as applicants. The committee also reviewed financial data showing the RNG plant is operating at a net loss after debt service, despite record production numbers in late 2025.
In addition to the legal briefing, the committee took decisive action to improve the RNG plant’s reliability by approving a major equipment purchase.
Brief: Heavy Equipment Purchase Paused
The committee agreed to pause the proposed purchase of a manlift and telehandler for the RNG facility, opting to continue leasing the equipment for the immediate future. Director Dave Hartke presented quotes showing a cost of $90,000 for a manlift and $252,000 for a telehandler. Currently, the county leases these items for approximately $3,000 per month. Hartke suggested waiting until later in the fiscal year to reassess finances before committing to the $342,000 capital expense. “I think that would be the conservative approach at this point,” Hartke said. The committee directed staff to attempt to bypass third-party markups by contacting Sunbelt Rentals directly to negotiate a purchase price for the currently rented units.
Brief: Minutes and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM with a quorum present. Members in attendance included Herbert Brooks Jr. (D-Joliet), Dawn Bullock (D-Plainfield), Kelly Hickey (D-Naperville), Sherry Newquist (D-Steger), Dave Oxley (R-Lockport), and Frankie Pretzel (R-New Lenox). The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the January 13, 2026, meeting. There were no public comments.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Executive Committee Details Spending of $134 Million in Pandemic Relief Funds
Facing Budget Crisis, Peotone Committee Questions Athletic Field Project
Committee Summary and Briefs: Peotone Board of Education Committee of the Whole
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Crete-Monee School Board for August 12, 2025
Peotone Library Director’s Salary Set at $75,000 After Annual Evaluation
Peotone Library Director’s Salary Set at $75,000 After Annual Evaluation
Village Hall to Get $412,000 Fire Sprinkler Replacement After System Failure
Crete-Monee Board Adopts School Improvement Plans for 2025-2026
Executive Committee Considers $12,000 Strategic Planning Initiative with University of St. Francis
Board Approves Over $4.4 Million for Major Construction Projects
Executive Committee Members Decry Roadside Litter, Call for Action Against Garbage Haulers
District Presses Village of Monee on TIF Expiration, Moves to Sell School Property
Will County Updates Solid Waste Ordinance, Increases Fines and Reporting to Landfill Committee
