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Will County adopts updated purchasing code but defers local‑preference language after debate
Summary
The county board approved a long‑overdue revision of the county purchasing code but removed a proposed local‑preference section for further drafting after members and witnesses raised questions about its legal effect and whether certain clauses would exclude nonunion and small contractors.
Will County board members approved an updated purchasing ordinance during the May 15 meeting, adopting new standards to designate responsible bidders and require registration, tax compliance and insurance for contractors. During the same session the board removed proposed local‑preference language and referred that portion back to committee for further drafting.
What changed
The board replaced a 1992 procurement text with an updated ordinance that emphasizes contractor accountability. New provisions require that bidders show proof of legal registration, tax compliance, workers’ compensation coverage, prevailing‑wage compliance where applicable and certain safety and substance‑abuse policies. The updates also include subcontractor‑registration language designed to prevent unauthorized subs from starting work without county approval.
Deferred local‑preference language
Board members had debated a separate local‑preference section (marked in the circulated draft as “blue” text). Several members asked for more time to craft language that (a) would withstand legal review and (b) not disadvantage nonunion or small businesses. “I would like the opportunity for the...state's attorney’s office...to come up with some type, maybe possibly some better and tighter language for the local preference portion,” a sponsor said on the record.
The board approved an amendment to exclude the local‑preference provision from today’s ordinance and referred that section back to the executive committee for further work and legal review. The clerk recorded the referral and committee follow‑up on the record.
Points raised in debate
Several members warned that parts of the draft would make compliance difficult for nonunion contractors and small, veteran‑owned firms. “Only union companies will meet these requirements,” one member said during debate, and others urged careful review to avoid unintentionally excluding competent nonunion bidders.
Supporters of tougher bidder standards said the county had been operating on an outdated 1992 ordinance and needed modern protections to reduce liability and ensure timely, safe completion of public works.
Next steps
The updated purchasing code (excluding the local‑preference section) was approved and will take effect per the ordinance schedule. The local‑preference language will return to committee in June, where staff, the state's attorney’s office and board members will attempt to agree on legally defensible language if any local preference is to be included.
Ending
The action modernizes county procurement practice while preserving an additional opportunity for the board to debate and refine local‑preference policy in a later committee session.
