Future of Will County’s Cannabis Fund Debated Amid Budget Shortfall

Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025

Article Summary: As Will County officials look for ways to close an $8.9 million budget gap, a debate has emerged over whether to divert millions from the county’s dedicated cannabis tax fund to cover general operating expenses or preserve it for community-based programs.

Cannabis Fund Discussion Key Points:

• With a significant budget shortfall looming, some board members proposed reallocating the cannabis fund’s approximate $2.5 million balance to the county’s corporate fund.

• Proponents of the move argued the funds are needed for core county functions, while opponents insisted the money should remain dedicated to programs addressing the impacts of the war on drugs.

JOLIET, IL – The future of Will County’s cannabis tax revenue became a key point of debate on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, as finance committee members considered using the dedicated fund to help plug an estimated $8.9 million hole in the county’s budget.

During a discussion on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, several board members proposed transferring the cannabis fund’s balance—currently around $2.5 million—into the general corporate fund to offset the revenue loss from a proposed 0% property tax levy.

Board Member Julie Berkowitz (R-Naperville) argued the money should be redirected to support existing county-run services that address the impacts of drug use. “We can use these dollars to help pay for these expenses in our budget rather than distributing them to outside organizations,” Berkowitz said, suggesting the funds could support the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), the State’s Attorney’s office, or the Sheriff’s Department.

Board Member Jacqueline Traynere (D-Bolingbrook) agreed, questioning why cannabis funds were being used for items like housing stabilization that had previously been part of other budgets. “If these things could be paid with cannabis money that things used to be in the corporate fund, then I don’t know why we can’t just put the cannabis money in the corporate fund,” she said.

However, the proposal faced immediate opposition from other members who contended it would break a promise to the community.

“Previous boards made an intentional decision to dedicate cannabis revenues towards closing the wage gap and repairing the harm caused by the war on drugs,” said Board Member Destinee Ortiz (D-Romeoville). “I’m adamantly opposed to moving these funds into the corporate fund. These dollars were never meant to become general revenue.”

Board Member Vince Logan (R-Joliet) echoed that sentiment, stating that simply redirecting the money would be a “disservice” to the community organizations that rely on it to serve residents affected by mental health and substance abuse issues.

The committee took no action, but the fund’s fate remains a central piece of the larger budget negotiations.