[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6174617,"mediaKeyId","5369720-0030ebebd383f3b7c535d00a990f6d55","parentId",5369720,"title","Will County approves county‑funded demolition at 116 Walden Road; lien and tax‑sale process discussed","audioSeconds",163,"startMs",4569000,"endMs",4732000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369720-0030ebebd383f3b7c535d00a990f6d55&start=4569&end=4732","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369720-0030ebebd383f3b7c535d00a990f6d55/thumbnail_4569000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6174617/Will-County/Illinois/Will-County-approves-countyfunded-demolition-at-116-Walden-Road-lien-and-taxsale-process-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174617-b10b8c907224ae1ac88fbc5dc585c7c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153880&Signature=IpnpJ5KRI1-fHKYTncatrEpVckYy0eNVp3iQ5fGQAvty8pnamxF~WI2g6MfYpv3qqDdIzHchUnPZCl692IyzrMe28U5rluBe9pNRBTAwNU3aJkvS-patLQ5bk0GjJcNWUtBsIub6sRTYzaXjkyuJvLOucVkjE4J-nM4N66rkRb7MW9t9PZ9DIJ4r98Eeb6dT60LmPsKomj5d0H7nEBOkjL1cfHJwL9b0HTmkw~T19ez93IT-PXG~RXkXofGghZHqgYKLypR6qY-Fujsv8gy8DoRoMDRjLpbIiFINGjQM0D3xhoXIhK3wrdiw7alItxvA~4jn9f~ajk37GUf4lSq19w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Will County, IL","date","2025-07-10T20:08:16Z","article","Will County’s executive committee on June 12 approved a contract for a county‑funded demolition of a vacant, blighted structure at 116 Walden Road, a demolition staff member said after explaining the county’s process for addressing dilapidated properties.

Rebecca de Groot, Land Use staff, described the procedure: code enforcement refers a property to demolition court; if a judge declares the structure inhabitable and the owner cannot or will not make repairs, the county may fund the demolition to protect the surrounding neighborhood. \"Once it's completed, we do go back with the state's attorney to put a lien on the property,\" de Groot said, explaining the county pursues repayment of demolition and related costs through a court‑recorded lien.

The committee asked whether the county assumes ownership of the parcel after demolition. De Groot said the county does not take ownership of the land when it funds demolition; the county’s authority in the case is limited to removing unsafe structures and placing a lien for recovery. If no owner or heir claims the property, de Groot said the parcel may eventually be addressed through the tax‑sale process; if a sale occurs the lien is part of the sale settlement and the county may recover its costs.

Members pressed for clarity about how lien proceeds from tax sales are recorded and where recovered funds appear in county finances; staff agreed to coordinate with finance and legal staff to provide details and follow up in committee. The committee also flagged an administrative detail: a contract form contained an obsolete clerk name; staff said the resolution approved the contract to be finalized and that the signed contract will be updated with current official names prior to execution.

The committee approved the demolition contract after staff said they have exhausted alternatives and the court decree authorized the county to proceed. De Groot said the lien can include demolition costs, asbestos abatement, board‑up costs and publication fees.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Will County Executive Committee Meeting July 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Will County’s executive committee on June 12 approved a contract to demolish a dilapidated structure at 116 Walden Road and to record a lien to recover the county’s remediation costs if the property is subsequently sold.","taxTitle","Will County, Illinois","taxId",2549,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6174622,"Will County approves one additional enforcement deputy to staff new school contract; district to reimburse county",200,3945000,4145000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369720-0030ebebd383f3b7c535d00a990f6d55&start=3945&end=4145","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369720-0030ebebd383f3b7c535d00a990f6d55/thumbnail_3945000.jpg","/articles/6174622/Will-County/Illinois/Will-County-approves-one-additional-enforcement-deputy-to-staff-new-school-contract-district-to-reimburse-county","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174622-c3fd18dec394c07fcc1477f9653756d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153880&Signature=fJevbgkVyXDhkoUgFopjvINyViF3Qp0bE49C4QWMqJrJj6J2Xg2FTCw~b3TS6kiLuYd6AQU5nrklmY9L7MiHNAzpxHStIpe9FFiMR1MphzjsPxxCPBr5YJ-o8wy~k8M2pBa0m5X8uUZtF8FeKnFluHhIKWFV5mBOtKXySUJwBUhiM7mnds7mDiMDjZL5DD7WE16hRWBUvkQYTSlmMcJ46oAo1qkGeik6QV5fmUV1rpYKwz2j71HM5HouMmuzME2w3vsejaRFVvZhAL-8uESDtmKf2WPRG-4s4EQJR4IuGF-sB~iKNdrRaon9bMzOCBceG9aCiJcGq3HlpGokmVpZOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Will County’s executive committee voted June 12 to authorize the addition of one enforcement deputy to staff a new contract policing assignment with School District 161.

Dan Jungles, representing the sheriff’s office, told the committee the office currently has 233 deputies assigned to enforcement and is short staff due to nine recent retirements, six deputies in the police academy and roughly six deputies out for medical or workers’‑comp reasons. The contract with District 161 calls for a deputy assigned to the school for a seven‑month school year; District 161 agreed to pay $193,478.40 annually for that assignment, Jungles said.

Jungles said hiring a new deputy costs the county about $72,000 in salary plus roughly $18,000 in benefits; the contract rate with the district would fully cover the county’s cost for the position. Committee members expressed support for the SRO model and for contracting opportunities that help sustain department staffing.

Board members also asked about equipment and readiness. Jungles described expanded SRO training implemented after the Parkland school shooting and confirmed SROs carry medical and protective equipment in their offices and vehicles; he said SROs qualify for firearms more frequently than other deputies as part of an enhanced training regimen. Several members asked staff to confirm that the assigned deputy will have or have access to the personal protective and medical gear the county purchased for SROs.

The committee approved the staffing increase by voice vote; the school district contract will reimburse the county at the contract rate. The motion did not change the sheriff’s base staffing table beyond authorizing the funded position.

","The committee approved hiring one additional enforcement deputy to fulfill a contract with School District 161 to provide a school resource officer; the district will pay roughly $193,478.40 per year for a deputy assigned seven months of the year, while hiring costs for the county are estimated at about $72,000 plus benefits.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6174627,"Will County board sets public defender pay at 90% of state’s attorney salary",199,3647000,3846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369720-0030ebebd383f3b7c535d00a990f6d55&start=3647&end=3846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369720-0030ebebd383f3b7c535d00a990f6d55/thumbnail_3647000.jpg","/articles/6174627/Will-County/Illinois/Will-County-board-sets-public-defender-pay-at-90-of-states-attorney-salary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174627-979efb695118c0d32b3d364a25b55449/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153881&Signature=Rdds3LTiKRpdI0ETkYXkAA7B-gdCQ3nyzfWfnQXGHv16FXp68gdLsMf69J1Am7TdLCLhqOP3uUT2bb3M8bWiCrk9Ev-PnUcevzTeG0zuGUXyGKXRXiqBUlSRfBrTEUIdkjiAG2NNu2OV~iDLAGzYJAAp982WtsHSHICFLTCnRRGrT9Pe4X~YwHTmbTzU3YoiSAJ3C3UG52374jJY-B1L1uIZ5-sY2wucILdKtdWtJjVSf~myqPSLxdgD3nYBqewxQeyEnkxXq425O9CWorM128I5Kw2j9LSufZjgnjBTUpqEt9FNkmN9qz9Bu3Hg~6PNEpT6OfheFcHZ~rF451JrRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Will County’s executive committee on June 12 voted to set the county’s public defender salary at 90% of the state’s attorney’s salary, preserving the statutory formula that permits the state to contribute a portion of public defender pay.

State’s Attorney Mary Tetrault explained the mechanics to the committee: the General Assembly sets the state’s attorney salary and the county board sets the public defender salary each year. \"If it is less than 90%, then the county board is obligated to pay the entire salary,\" she said. The committee moved and seconded a resolution to set the public defender salary at the 90% level, and the motion carried by voice vote.

Committee members asked how the state determines the state’s attorney pay and whether that formula varies by county size; Tetrault said salaries are set by statute and can vary by county population category. Members also clarified that the action concerns the public defender salary level (the appointed chief public defender) rather than the entire public defender office budget or staffing.

The vote continues the county’s prior practice of aligning the appointed public defender’s pay with a percentage of the state’s attorney salary so that the state shares part of the cost. The committee did not change policy beyond setting the salary for the coming year.

","The executive committee voted to set the public defender’s salary at 90% of the state’s attorney’s salary, preserving the state contribution formula; staff said the state sets the state's attorney pay and counties determine the public defender rate annually.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6174632,"Will County adopts qualifying statement for multi‑year road and capital plans after amendment fails",1554,2082000,3636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369720-0030ebebd383f3b7c535d00a990f6d55&start=2082&end=3636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369720-0030ebebd383f3b7c535d00a990f6d55/thumbnail_2082000.jpg","/articles/6174632/Will-County/Illinois/Will-County-adopts-qualifying-statement-for-multiyear-road-and-capital-plans-after-amendment-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174632-0c8ca3a07ad45a2d8bd32be8a5e6ae21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153881&Signature=dY97cV4rw6~wMIYkqrsbYub816SmR-~Q4LiFZD57WXhaY7zyUC6ncOP~2dx8D0Uxj-Hp9ooi~sI7QuVQO0iAWArv9AgmHHEn6yr4JsgLMAVWDTKYNHu2vuQVsSsbDj2yvwdvDxphlKVO5uUnYZ7ftMhe7kbZTtr0gpJLd5JYdsPWIVDQwnEJ5~nEhvU2WgdUaqLJi5VaIXx7U8YCr7dLtKHuH-GUR5~kTHqWDNsdlqNXtiUkM4m2JkWd-VdQRg3cIid85KHw~a2H2sH2vQn2MbJRq9T2xFu4~rq3wjOu0b-fp26t39mLFJT9xmLxlvWgOd8L8kEbh5ozJ5tqFwPwaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Will County’s executive committee on June 12 approved a resolution requiring that multiyear road‑improvement and capital project plans presented to the county board include a prominent qualifying statement noting that projects are subject to change.

Commissioner Dan Butler introduced an amendment that would have added more detailed process language—an introductory purpose statement, earlier public engagement, specified studies and follow‑up public meetings—and language saying financing must be approved by the county board. Butler said the addition was intended to make the planning process more transparent and to help local communities understand what stage a project is at before significant study dollars are spent.

But committee members and staff said much of the process Butler sought to codify already exists within the county’s transportation and public works practices and in IDOT requirements. Transportation staff and administration representatives told the committee that project phases, studies and contract approvals are already documented and that some of the amendment’s specifics were operational rather than a change to the project list.

The committee held a roll‑call vote on Butler’s amendment; the amendment failed. The original resolution—requiring a qualifying statement that multiyear plans are subject to change—was then approved on a subsequent roll call.

Why it matters: Several board members said they hear frequent constituent complaints after projects have advanced through studies and engineering, and argued that clearer public messaging could help residents understand whether a plan is at an exploratory stage or at a point when large expenditures make changes difficult. Supporters of the amendment said a short, mandatory public meeting before study dollars are spent could prevent conflicts like those cited in Monee, where members said local land purchases and community redevelopment plans clashed with a planned four‑lane alignment.

What was decided: The qualifying‑statement resolution was adopted. The committee did not adopt Butler’s amendment to require additional process steps and specific public‑meeting sequencing; members urged staff and the commissioner to continue discussing how the county can improve outreach and transparency. Several members requested time to review the amendment language and meet with Butler and staff before any further policy changes.

Next steps: Committee members asked county staff to identify where existing processes meet the goals Butler described and to return with options for clearer public notices and improved committee reporting. No immediate changes to project contracts or schedules were approved at the meeting.

","The executive committee approved a resolution requiring multi‑year road and capital improvement plans to include a clear qualifying statement that projects are subject to change; an amendment seeking to add more specific process steps and mandatory early public meetings failed on a roll call.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6174637,"Will County officials review process after two seniors’ exemptions were not applied to tax bills",546,281000,827000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369720-0030ebebd383f3b7c535d00a990f6d55&start=281&end=827","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369720-0030ebebd383f3b7c535d00a990f6d55/thumbnail_281000.jpg","/articles/6174637/Will-County/Illinois/Will-County-officials-review-process-after-two-seniors-exemptions-were-not-applied-to-tax-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174637-e5acb383a66996eb9a7246727ac49ec3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153881&Signature=DOfSloUuGQ1dm8GVnYEDN7mJfSstDPwBYVNZQg226dChLzlzDFApyoovcNt0mPee~WxvLEyvsbsgVhO7VtxI6fRswa~QyYwV3A1H05QQOzL9CqCyIckEwUNlg6PvVIXpftxpz7SAEJsMVLNZ3N~nH-ajUv5ujBsNJaBSif8H7naygQpBqrmlBUpPZh~n0t5ZcUmXllI~uMrj0MFDz1sBydjjCwi1YN5D3tgrWdkrWhE22hI6qLs-azi2CI-T-3mpFYSSYEY81fPGdfIz9yvXE9aymDX39~~xXnqeegv8Kg6bUnt36CBKj7ZesnBGgssykHZBpMEzh8DLKQ-3g~Aokg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Will County assessment official told the county executive committee on June 12 that two senior property tax exemptions submitted to his office were scanned into records but never entered into the county property database, causing the exemptions not to appear on residents’ bills.

The error was explained by Dale Butello, chief county assessment officer, who said, \"we mis processed that thing\" after describing a two‑step office workflow in which staff both scan an application and separately key exemption fields into the assessment system. Butello said the scanned image existed but the database fields were not populated, and his office discovered two similar cases over the last two years.

The issue matters because Will County’s certificate-of-error process lets the assessment office correct admitted errors for property assessments and exemptions only through roughly Nov. 1 of the tax year; after that point the assessments are confirmed in court and corrections require different remedies. \"That process typically goes until right around November 1,\" Butello said, adding that the county will cut off certificate-of-error work on Oct. 31 this year because Nov. 1 falls on a weekend.

Why it matters: A missed senior exemption can increase a household’s bill for the year in which the exemption should have applied. Committee members pressed staff on whether the county could proactively notify taxpayers that an exemption application was received and processed, or otherwise add safeguards to prevent scanning-without-entry mistakes.

Board members proposed several responses: a cross‑reference report to match scanned exemption documents to entered records, improved quality control in the assessment office, a brief written acknowledgement to taxpayers when they apply, and coordination with the treasurer’s office about notice language on the printed tax bill. Butello said staff are discussing a vendor report that would flag scanned-but-not-entered exemptions so a staffer could verify entries.

Several members also asked whether the county could reimburse affected residents. Commissioner Jim Hickey urged the board to consider making whole residents when the error causes financial hardship. Butello and others said state statute and court timelines limit the county’s ability to retroactively change an assessment once the file is finalized for tax sale. State’s Attorney Mary Tetrault told the committee that \"it is controlled by state statute,\" and explained that statutory deadlines exist to allow governments to rely on final assessments.

What staff said they will do: Butello told the committee his office will pursue a report option with their vendor to cross‑check scanned files against database entries, continue existing quality‑control reviews and meet with county leadership to consider whether targeted mailings or notices could be integrated with treasurer processes. Committee members asked for follow‑up reporting and for staff to meet one‑on‑one with members who requested it.

Context and scale: Butello said Will County holds roughly 280,000 parcels; about 205,000 parcels receive at least one exemption and roughly 53,000 receive a senior exemption. In the last two years his office identified two cases in which the exemption was scanned but not entered; one of those was the committee member’s property discussed at the meeting.

Next steps: Committee members asked Butello to return with a short work plan showing the vendor report option, any required staffing changes, and a plan for coordinating notification language with the treasurer’s office. No formal motion or directive to pay affected residents was adopted at the meeting.

","County assessment office staff said two senior exemptions were scanned but not entered into the property database; the county can correct errors via a certificate-of-error process only through about Nov. 1 each year, after which tax sales and court confirmation bar corrections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Will County approves county‑funded demolition at 116 Walden Road; lien and tax‑sale process discussed

Will County approves one additional enforcement deputy to staff new school contract; district to reimburse county

Will County board sets public defender pay at 90% of state’s attorney salary

Will County adopts qualifying statement for multi‑year road and capital plans after amendment fails

Will County officials review process after two seniors’ exemptions were not applied to tax bills