Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Landfill Committee for February 10, 2026
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | February 10, 2026
The Will County Landfill Committee met on Tuesday to address legal preparations for the upcoming landfill expansion and operational needs at the Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility. The meeting was dominated by a presentation from Special Assistant State’s Attorney Charles Helsten, who detailed the “ethical wall” required to separate the County Board’s role as decision-makers from the county staff’s role as applicants. The committee also reviewed financial data showing the RNG plant is operating at a net loss after debt service, despite record production numbers in late 2025.
In addition to the legal briefing, the committee took decisive action to improve the RNG plant’s reliability by approving a major equipment purchase.
Brief: Heavy Equipment Purchase Paused
The committee agreed to pause the proposed purchase of a manlift and telehandler for the RNG facility, opting to continue leasing the equipment for the immediate future. Director Dave Hartke presented quotes showing a cost of $90,000 for a manlift and $252,000 for a telehandler. Currently, the county leases these items for approximately $3,000 per month. Hartke suggested waiting until later in the fiscal year to reassess finances before committing to the $342,000 capital expense. “I think that would be the conservative approach at this point,” Hartke said. The committee directed staff to attempt to bypass third-party markups by contacting Sunbelt Rentals directly to negotiate a purchase price for the currently rented units.
Brief: Minutes and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM with a quorum present. Members in attendance included Herbert Brooks Jr. (D-Joliet), Dawn Bullock (D-Plainfield), Kelly Hickey (D-Naperville), Sherry Newquist (D-Steger), Dave Oxley (R-Lockport), and Frankie Pretzel (R-New Lenox). The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the January 13, 2026, meeting. There were no public comments.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
AG candidate seeks to reform SAFE-T Act
Op-Ed: Senate Bill 3070 provides sensible solution for students, manufacturers
Illinois millionaire’s tax moves closer to November ballot
Oldest preserve expansion pushes acreage past 24,000 milestone
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for April 9, 2026
On the road to 100 years: How the Forest Preserve District expanded
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee for April 14, 2026
Executive Committee Advances Sweeping Updates to Adult Entertainment and Wireless Facilities Ordinances
Ad-Hoc Committee: County Lowers Air Rifle Age to 13, Finds Airsoft Guns Beyond Local Regulatory Reach
Executive Committee Approves Local Fire District Appointments, Faces Pushback Over Delayed Elwood Seat
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for April 7, 2026
Ad-Hoc Committee: County’s Lack of Home Rule Stifles Effort to Ban Kratom and Non-Nicotine Vapes
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Health & Safety Committee for April 2, 2026
Indiana Man Faces Federal Indictment, Potential Death Penalty for Momence Bar Owner’s Murder