Ad-Hoc Committee: County Stripped of Power to Regulate Motor Races, Must Drop Solicitor Fees Due to State Statutes

Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | February 10, 2026

Article Summary: The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee repealed county regulations regarding motor stunt events and removed fees for solicitor registration to comply with Illinois state statutes. Assistant State’s Attorney Phil Mock advised the committee that the county’s population growth inadvertently disqualified it from regulating motor races, while state law prohibits charging fees for peddler registration.

Ordinance Review Committee Key Points:

• Stunt Event Repeal: Ordinance #26-4242 repeals Chapter 112 entirely because 55 ILCS 5/5-9001 only authorizes counties with populations under 500,000 to regulate motor races; Will County’s population now exceeds that threshold.

• Solicitor Fees Dropped: Ordinance #26-4243 amends Chapter 113 to remove registration fees for peddlers and solicitors, complying with 55 ILCS 5/5-1058, which prohibits such fees in non-home rule counties.

• Registration Continues: Despite the inability to charge a fee, the County will continue to require solicitors to register and undergo background checks with the Sheriff’s Department.

• Business Taxation Repeal: Ordinance #26-4241 repeals most of Chapter 111, specifically the leasing occupation tax and retailers occupation tax, as state law no longer authorizes non-home rule counties to impose them.

JOLIET — The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, voted to repeal several sections of the county code, stripping the county of its ability to regulate motor vehicle races and stunt events due to a quirk in state law regarding population size.

During the review of Ordinance #26-4242, which repeals Chapter 112: Stunt Events, Assistant State’s Attorney Phil Mock explained that the county has legally “outgrown” its authority. The enabling state statute, 55 ILCS 5/5-9001, grants authority to regulate motor races and stunt events only to counties with a population of 500,000 or less. With Will County’s population exceeding that number, the state authority no longer applies.

“If I want to go unincorporated and have a racetrack, I get to do it,” Mock told the committee, confirming that no regulatory body would have control over such events in unincorporated areas following the repeal.

Committee Member Sherry Newquist recalled a prior land use case involving a resident who built a motorcycle racetrack for his children, noting that neighbors had little recourse. Mock confirmed that without the statutory authority, the only mechanism for control is through noise pollution ordinances, which differ from land use regulations.

“That makes no sense whatsoever,” Board Member Steve Balich said regarding the population cap on regulation. Mock advised that if the board wishes to regain control, they must “lobby the legislature.” The committee voted unanimously to move the repeal to the Executive Committee for final approval.

The committee also addressed Ordinance #26-4243, amending Chapter 113 regarding peddlers, solicitors, and itinerant merchants. While the county previously charged a fee for background checks and registration, Mock advised that 55 ILCS 5/5-1058 specifically prohibits county boards from requiring a fee for such registration.

“We can make them register, but we can’t charge a fee anymore,” Mock said. “That incurs labor on our part… it’s a cost to the county.”

Despite the financial loss, the committee agreed that continuing the registration process is vital for public safety.

“We work closely with the sheriff’s department,” said Maria Costa from the County Executive’s office. “We do send information to the sheriff’s office currently.”

Mock clarified that while the county cannot charge for the license, they can still enforce fines ranging from $25 to $500 for failure to register.

“We can keep an eye on them through the sheriff department,” Mock said. The committee voted unanimously to approve the changes to Chapter 113.

Additionally, the committee approved Ordinance #26-4241 regarding Business Taxation (Chapter 111). The amendment repeals the leasing occupation tax, retailers occupation tax, and service occupation tax provisions, as state statutes have preempted non-home rule counties from imposing these specific taxes. The only provision remaining in Chapter 111 is Section 111.04, which authorizes retailers to recover sales tax on building materials incorporated into real estate within the Des Plaines River Valley Enterprise Zone, pursuant to 20 ILCS 655/1.