Executive Committee Approves Local Fire District Appointments, Faces Pushback Over Delayed Elwood Seat

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | April 9, 2026

Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee approved a slate of appointments for several fire protection districts, including Manhattan and Monee, while engaging in a tense discussion regarding the delayed appointment for the Elwood Fire District, which currently risks losing its ability to form a voting quorum.

Will County Fire District Appointments Key Points:

• Four appointees were approved for the Manhattan Fire Protection District, each receiving a $2,250 annual minimum compensation.

• Two appointees were approved for the Monee Fire Protection District, each receiving a $1,000 annual minimum compensation.

• Will County Board Member Judy Ogalla criticized the delayed appointment of an Elwood Fire District trustee, noting the board is currently operating with only two members.

• Chief of Staff Mike Mahoney defended the county’s rigorous vetting process, citing past instances where a lack of oversight led to attempts at administrative abuse within other fire districts.

On Thursday, April 9, 2026, the Will County Board Executive Committee advanced multiple appointments to local fire protection districts, but the routine approvals were overshadowed by concerns over a vacancy that threatens to paralyze the Elwood Fire District.

The committee unanimously approved Resolution #26-136 / 26-4536, authorizing the reappointments of Lawrence Goodwin, Brian Hupe, William Moncrief, and William Weber to the Manhattan Fire Protection District. All four terms expire in May 2029, and each trustee carries an annual minimum compensation of $2,250.

Similarly, the committee approved Resolution #26-137 / 26-4556, reappointing Gustave Bettenhausen and Donald Quick to the Monee Fire Protection District. Both trustees will serve until May 2029 with an annual minimum compensation of $1,000. Appointments were also unanimously approved for the Channahon, Northwest Homer, Steger Estates, and Wilmington Fire Protection Districts.

However, the meeting’s focus shifted when Board Member Judy Ogalla (R-Monee) formally addressed the committee to question why an anticipated appointment for the Elwood Fire District was excluded from the agenda. Ogalla stated she had been contacted repeatedly by Elwood Fire District officials regarding the vacancy.

“The board is concerned that with only two members, that there could be a possibility that if somebody is missing or sick, they cannot have a quorum,” Ogalla told the committee. “They could not have a meeting, and because of that, and their meeting is also on our county board meeting, so they didn’t get appointed in April. So they can’t have the meeting in April.”

Ogalla requested a full list of all applicants and their filed paperwork for the Elwood position, expressing frustration over the delay.

Chief of Staff Mike Mahoney responded by explaining the necessity of a stringent review process, noting that the county must thoroughly vet candidates before granting them authority over taxpayer funds.

“We do a very thorough job of vetting for these, especially considering that these are unelected boards appointed and approved by this board that have property taxation capabilities,” Mahoney said. “And as Member Balich pointed out, on some of these boards you have to pay considerable attention to, otherwise you have a chief situation like they had in Northwest Homer four years ago.”

Board Member Steve Balich (R-Homer Glen) expanded on Mahoney’s reference, detailing a past incident where a lack of appointment oversight nearly resulted in severe financial manipulation.

“About four years ago, they wanted to get a guy to be appointed to this board that was going to do whatever the chief wanted,” Balich explained. “And that chief at the time wanted to have, for the rest of his life, insurance for him and his wife and a perpetual income. And that stopped because he couldn’t get enough votes, and we did not appoint the guy that was recommended by that chief.”

Republican Leader Jim Richmond (R-Mokena) acknowledged the need for vetting but emphasized the critical nature of keeping first-responder boards functional, asking the committee to hold a spot on the upcoming full County Board agenda to potentially expedite the Elwood appointment.

Mahoney assured the committee that the vetting process is actively underway and the county hopes to bring the Elwood appointment forward in May.