Will County Executive Committee to Hash Out Budget Cuts Following Levy Reduction

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | November 13, 2025

Article Summary: Following a Finance Committee vote to reduce the proposed 2026 property tax levy increase, Will County Board leaders on Thursday, November 13, 2025, confirmed that the county executive’s budget must now be trimmed, though the specific cuts have not yet been identified.

Budget & Levy Discussion Key Points:

• Levy Proposal: The Finance Committee recommended a 1.75% levy increase, a reduction from the County Executive’s initial 2% proposal.

• Budget Impact: The reduced levy requires corresponding cuts to the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to ensure it remains balanced.

• Leadership Response: County Board Speaker Joe VanDuyne stated he will work with the County Executive’s office to identify the necessary budget reductions.

• Board Division: The discussion highlighted differing opinions on the board regarding taxpayer burden and what constitutes a “compromise.”

JOLIET, IL – Will County Board leaders are tasked with finding cuts to the proposed 2026 budget after the Finance Committee advanced a property tax levy increase lower than what was originally requested by the County Executive. The issue surfaced during committee reports at the Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, November 13, 2025.

Finance Committee Chair Sherry Newquist reported that her committee had approved a levy increase of 1.75% over the previous year’s extension, plus new growth. This was a reduction from the 2% increase included in the executive’s proposed budget. “The budget will need to be modified based on the levy that was passed,” Newquist said, noting that Board Speaker Joe VanDuyne would work with the executive’s office on the adjustments.

The decision sparked debate over fiscal responsibility and the nature of political compromise. Board member Judy Ogalla, who supported a 0% levy increase, questioned where the cuts would come from and argued the 1.75% figure was not a true compromise. “The board voted previously to pass a levy at 0%,” Ogalla said, referencing an earlier vote. “Compromise from 0% to 1 and 3/4%… sure doesn’t seem like a compromise if the conversation wasn’t had.”

VanDuyne defended his proposal, stating that with no specific cut suggestions from board members, he offered the 1.75% figure as a middle ground between the 0% and 2% positions. “I felt that during this process there was not—there was just me,” he said, indicating a lack of collaborative suggestions. VanDuyne added that he offered a $50,000 cut to the County Board’s own budget to contribute to the necessary reductions.

The specific budget cuts have not yet been determined. The final levy and the amended budget will be presented to the full Will County Board for approval.