Public Health Committee Chair Demands Animal Control Agreements for Crete, Monee

Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | January 7, 2026

Article Summary: During the January 7, 2026, Public Health and Safety Committee meeting, Chair Daniel Butler demanded that the county establish intergovernmental agreements with the villages of Crete and Monee regarding animal control services. Butler insisted the topic remain on the agenda until the municipalities receive the same support recently granted to Frankfort.

Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Key Points:

• Persistent Agenda Item: Chair Daniel Butler requested “Animal Protective Services” remain a standing item under Old Business until agreements are secured for Crete and Monee.

• Equality in Service: Butler argued that if Frankfort received an intergovernmental agreement (IGA), Crete and Monee should also have access to the outside source currently taking county animals.

• Transparency Request: The Chair formally requested a copy of the contract between the county and the outside agency currently accepting animals to verify costs and services.

• Municipal Burden: Butler noted that police officers in these municipalities are currently housing stray animals in the back of stations and supply closets while trying to find them homes.

JOLIET, Ill. — The Will County Board Public Health and Safety Committee on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, addressed ongoing disparities in animal control services affecting specific local municipalities. Committee Chair Daniel Butler (R-Frankfort) issued a directive to keep the topic of Animal Protective Services on the committee’s agenda indefinitely until intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) are established for the villages of Crete and Monee.

Butler expressed frustration that while the Village of Frankfort recently secured an agreement for animal services, neighboring municipalities Crete and Monee have been left without similar support.

“It seems to me if we have an outside source that are taking these animals that we should be able to do this with these other two municipalities,” Butler said. “The people that are coming in here, they love these animals. They do everything they can to try to find them a home before they call animal control. These animals are sitting in the backs of these police stations and supply closets.”

Butler emphasized that the municipalities are willing to pay for the services and are not requesting them for free. He questioned why, if the county has an “unlimited source” to place animals through a third-party agency, that resource is not available to every municipality.

In addition to the IGAs for Crete and Monee, Butler demanded transparency regarding the county’s current arrangement for animal housing. He formally requested a copy of the agreement between Animal Protective Services (formerly Animal Control) and the third-party agency currently accepting the animals.

“I can’t even tell you who the outside source [is] that is receiving the animals,” Butler stated, noting he had previously been told there were nine IGAs, though his research suggested there might be as many as 18.

The committee agreed to keep the item listed under Old Business for future meetings to track progress on the requested agreements.