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Will County readies state legislative agenda, schedules "Breakfast with the Board"; new members ask for more input
Summary
County leaders reviewed the printed state legislative agenda, announced a breakfast meeting with legislators and mayors, and heard concerns from newly elected board members about limited input into the document. Staff said the agenda is a living document and amendments can be proposed ahead of the spring legislative session.
Will County officials reviewed the county’s printed state legislative agenda, previewed a “Breakfast with the Board” meeting with state legislators and local mayors, and heard new board members urge a clearer process for proposing amendments.
Chief of staff Chuck (last name not provided at the meeting) told the committee the county printed the agenda copies approved in November and that a continental “Breakfast with the Board” is scheduled for Monday at 8 a.m.; organizers reported roughly 19 county board members, about 15 legislators or legislative staff, and a similar number of mayors or mayoral staff were expected to attend.
Why it matters: the printed agenda will be distributed to legislators and is the primary document staff and lobbyists use when representing the county’s positions in Springfield. Several newly elected board members said they had not been involved in drafting the version being distributed and asked for an opportunity to propose amendments.
What staff said
- Process: Chuck and staff described a multi-step drafting process that solicits input from departments, legislative committee chairs and the county board’s leadership. The draft is then presented to the county board for approval; staff said the document is deliberately broad so it can be updated with bill numbers and specific positions during the filing and committee season.
- Logistics and RSVPs: Tim Hendricks (staff) said the breakfast aims to be an informal opportunity for board members, legislators and mayors to speak about priorities; staff noted the county’s lobbyists will attend and that the event is posted to avoid Open Meetings Act concerns.
Board member concerns and next steps
Several newly elected members — including Don (last name not provided) and Destiny (last name not provided) — said they had not been involved in creating the printed agenda and requested a committee discussion to propose amendments. Chair Ortiz and staff agreed to schedule an agenda‑specific conversation at a future meeting and asked board members to submit suggested search terms and priority items to staff so lobbyists can track relevant bills.
Staff emphasized the agenda is a "living document": staff said departments supply much of the wording (for example, public health proposals), and the board can add, amend or oppose specific bills during the session. Staff also described a process for time‑sensitive responses: if urgent legislation appears, leadership can approve a county position and later formalize it with a resolution at a regular meeting.
Ending note: staff asked board members to submit keywords or topics they want lobbyists to monitor and said they will return with amendments and additional detail at a future Legislative Committee meeting.
