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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Manhattan Police Chief Issues Warning Over Tripled Traffic Accidents, Installs New Security System
Manhattan Firefighters Extinguish Chimney Fire on South Egyptian Trail
One Dead, Two Hospitalized Following Overnight Shooting at Crete Family Party
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District for February 23, 2026
Top-Ranked Marist Stays Perfect, Overpowers Lincoln-Way West 11-5
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan School District 114 for March 11, 2026
Lincoln-Way West Powers Past Paducah Tilghman 11-2 at Boarder Wars Tournament
Phillips’ 17 Strikeouts, Power Surge Lift Carterville Past Lincoln-Way West 5-1
Manhattan-Elwood Library Board Explores Land Annexation Options, Delays Lot Discussion
Manhattan School District 114 Approves Administrative Reorganization, Accepts Key Resignations
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Park Board for February 12, 2026
Lincoln-Way West Overpowers Naperville Central 19-4 in Four-Inning Rout
White House calls on Pritzker to cooperate with ICE
