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Will County committee forwards wireless-telecom rules; asks staff to request radiation/transmission data from engineers
Summary
The committee advanced Chapter 122 (wireless telecommunications) to the executive committee after discussing spacing standards for older towers and newer small-cell structures; members asked staff to ask county/highway engineers whether any county right-of-way installations exist and to seek available RF/transmission information for public transparency.
Will County's ordinance-review committee advanced Chapter 122, which updates local standards for wireless-telecommunication facilities, after a wide-ranging discussion about definitions, spacing standards and the county's limited authority over radio-frequency information.
Members focused on differences between older towers and newer alternative antenna structures (small-cell installations). The draft reflects state-authorized spacing and permitting rules; county staff said the state statute (cited in the draft) does not provide the county authority to regulate radiation levels. Committee members nonetheless asked staff to contact transportation/highway engineers to determine whether any wireless facilities exist in county right'of'ways and whether information about transmission levels is available.
One member voiced safety concerns relating to radiation and asked whether the county could require disclosures; legal staff explained the county is not home-rule for this subject and cannot compel data that state law does not require. Staff agreed to request the available information and return with findings.
The committee voted to forward Chapter 122 to the executive committee in April, with one member recorded as opposed to forwarding; staff will follow up on the RF/transmission inquiries and report back to the committee.
