Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Landfill Committee for February 10, 2026
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | February 10, 2026
The Will County Landfill Committee met on Tuesday to address legal preparations for the upcoming landfill expansion and operational needs at the Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility. The meeting was dominated by a presentation from Special Assistant State’s Attorney Charles Helsten, who detailed the “ethical wall” required to separate the County Board’s role as decision-makers from the county staff’s role as applicants. The committee also reviewed financial data showing the RNG plant is operating at a net loss after debt service, despite record production numbers in late 2025.
In addition to the legal briefing, the committee took decisive action to improve the RNG plant’s reliability by approving a major equipment purchase.
Brief: Heavy Equipment Purchase Paused
The committee agreed to pause the proposed purchase of a manlift and telehandler for the RNG facility, opting to continue leasing the equipment for the immediate future. Director Dave Hartke presented quotes showing a cost of $90,000 for a manlift and $252,000 for a telehandler. Currently, the county leases these items for approximately $3,000 per month. Hartke suggested waiting until later in the fiscal year to reassess finances before committing to the $342,000 capital expense. “I think that would be the conservative approach at this point,” Hartke said. The committee directed staff to attempt to bypass third-party markups by contacting Sunbelt Rentals directly to negotiate a purchase price for the currently rented units.
Brief: Minutes and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM with a quorum present. Members in attendance included Herbert Brooks Jr. (D-Joliet), Dawn Bullock (D-Plainfield), Kelly Hickey (D-Naperville), Sherry Newquist (D-Steger), Dave Oxley (R-Lockport), and Frankie Pretzel (R-New Lenox). The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the January 13, 2026, meeting. There were no public comments.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Republican lawmakers say shooting proves need for Trump ballroom
White House calls for DHS funding after correspondents incident
Report: $186 billion in federal payment errors likely an undercount
Convenience store advocate: Swipe fee ruling is ‘one step’ in the process
Report: Sharp ideological divide in Minnesota congressional delegation
White House correspondents’ dinner shooter faces formal charges
Deferred maintenance blamed in I-64 bridge hole
Supreme Court strikes down Texas redistricting lawsuit, upholds new maps
Supreme Court to hear migrant farm worker case
Illinois quick hits: Convicted felon suspected of shooting two officers; Chicago Mayor orders up to $900,000 for additional peacekeepers; Belleville man faces attempted murder charge
Lincoln-Way D210 Approves $483,000 Agreement with Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, Adds Seventh Athletic Trainer
Manhattan Fire Board Reviews Financials, Navigates ‘No Tax on Overtime’ Law
