Press Releases

The Will County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is cautioning residents about an upcoming stretch of cold weather over the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday weekend.

The United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration has awarded over $27 million to Will County to construct a rail crossing overpass at the Gougar Road at Wisconsin Central/Canadian National Railroad Grade Separation in New Lenox. The funding, representing the largest transportation grant in Will County history, will accelerate construction on a project aimed at increasing safety and reducing traffic at a key rail crossing.

The Access Will County Plan, which outlines strategies for countywide improvements to dial-a-ride services, has been formally adopted by the Will County Board. This follows a vote to approve the plan at the board’s December 19, 2024 regular meeting.

Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and the Will County Center for Economic Development have announced a partnership with The Dollywood Foundation to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Will County. The partnership kicks off a county-wide fundraising campaign to fully launch the book-gifting program in Will County, which mails free, high-quality and age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five.

Will County Animal Protection Services (APS) is giving the gift of peace of mind this holiday season. For a second year, their “Home for the Holidays” promotion is offering free microchipping for pets owned by county residents throughout the month of December.

Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and Will County leaders have announced the approval of a balanced Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget, The budget, which prioritizes public safety spending, was voted on at the November 21, 2024 County Board meeting.

Will County residents who experienced damages or losses from the July 13-16 severe weather have received $2,792,102 in assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance Program since a disaster was declared for the county in September. This milestone comes as the application window for assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is set to close on November 19.

Will County Animal Protection Services (WCAPS) is waiving all dog and cat adoption fees for veterans and active duty servicemembers during November as part of their “Paws 4 Patriots” promotion event.

Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and the Will County Division of Transportation will be hosting three community workshops as part of the county’s “Our Way Forward” Long-Range Transportation Plan. The workshops will be hosted in Beecher, Manhattan, and Wilmington and will include family-friendly fun activities and an opportunity for residents to share their input on future transportation projects. 

Will County leaders and the Will County Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) have announced a collaboration to create a unified Veteran Assistance and Support Center in Joliet. The center will occupy an existing county building at 1300 Copperfield Avenue and would be at the heart of a centralized campus for Will County veterans.