Committee approves amended language for regional environmental and legacy pollution study

Will County's Federal Legislative Agenda Committee voted Sept. 11 to amend proposed language calling for a federal, regional environmental and legacy pollution study. The committee unanimously approved an amendment that removed the word "proposes" (changing the phrasing to "Will County supports") and struck the term "equity" from the title and body.

The amended language calls for a "federal, regional environmental and legacy pollution study to identify areas impacted by historic industrial activity." The sponsor said the change was intended to make the text less political and more broadly supportable; another member said the wording change would make the proposal "totally nonpartisan and non divisive."

Some committee members questioned the need for additional studies, saying county funds and priorities are limited and that large-scale studies may be more appropriate for state or federal agencies. One member suggested visiting local historical exhibits (the Joliet Iron Works) to understand the region's industrial history rather than adding county-funded studies.

The chair recorded that the amendment passed by show of hands and the committee moved to the amended version for forwarding to the county board agenda.

Ending: The committee will include the amended statement of support for a regional environmental and legacy pollution study in the draft federal agenda; no funding amount, federal program vehicle, or timeline was specified at the meeting.