Will County SUI News Feed

     During this year’s Sharefest in New Lenox, Will County Green will host a Recyclepalooza event from 8am until 3pm on Sat. Sept. 12 at Spencer School, 1711 Spencer Road.  This event will collect household hazardous materials and other recyclable items.

     Due to the increased popularity of this event, Sharefest organizers have extended the activities over several days. Will County collection and recycling events will take place only on Sept. 12. On Sept. 19, Sharefest activities will include a blood drive, a food drive, and a health and safety fair.

     Electronics, such as computers, televisions, printers, radios, phones, VCRs, microwaves, vacuums and more, will also be accepted only on Sept. 12. Other items accepted on Sept. 12 include foam plastic, wood, and carpet. 

 Will County residents who have their pets spayed or neutered at participating veterinary offices in October can receive a $40 county-sponsored discount. 

     The discount applies for up to two animals per household and is exclusively for pet owners who live in Will County. More than 11,000 pets have been treated since the program began in 2007. 

 Will County has received a $139,261 grant from the Northeastern Illinois Agency on Aging in support of the Will-Ride transit program. According to Will County Executive Larry Walsh, this grant will help fund the paratransit services available to the elderly, disabled, and low-income residents in Will County.
     “We have been working for a number of years to improve transit services to underserved areas of Will County,” said Walsh. “The announcement of these grants funds to Will County is a great step forward as we continue to improve coordination of services among several communities across the county. Safe, accessible, reliable transportation is critical to preserving quality of life for some of our most vulnerable residents. We are fortunate to receive this grant to help maintain this service.”
 

Local and state officials joined together on Aug. 13 to celebrate the Residents' and Children's Learning Garden at Evergreen Terrace in Joliet.

     At today’s meeting of the Will County Board, Will County Executive Larry Walsh presented his annual State of the County speech and touched on the many advances on critical capital improvement projects.   He also outlined his plan to address future infrastructure needs across the county.

     “Will County’s sustained economic growth and increased diversity of our population broadens our appeal as a very desirable place to live, work, and raise our families,” Walsh said. “Working cooperatively to solve our challenges has always been key to success and we must continue on this path.”

Will County recently hosted “interpreter training” for some of its bilingual employees. The five-week training was conducted by Dr. Hector Lopez, President of Best Solutions, Inc. of Downers Grove, IL.

         “With the diversity in the population of Will County, we are proud to have these bilingual employees trained to handle any need for interpretation,” said County Executive Larry Walsh. 

The Will County Division of Transportation has added an additional meeting to the spring open house schedule so that residents in the Romeoville, Bolingbrook and northern Will County area have an opportunity to learn more and help shape the development of the County’s 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan.  The additional open house will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., Mon., June 8 at the Romeoville Village Hall, 1050 West Romeo Road, Romeoville.

The employment outlook in Will County continues to improve with the latest unemployment rate listed at 6.1 percent, which is down from 6.8 percent in March 2015 and one and a half percent lower than April of 2014. Will County Executive Larry Walsh said this decrease is a positive reflection of the business climate in the county.

     “Together with our county board, our municipal and business leaders, we work very hard to keep Will County a business friendly county,” Walsh said.