Will-County-Public-Works-Transportation-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

Access Will County Dial-a-Ride Program Sees Record Growth, Eyes Expansion

Will County’s dial-a-ride transportation service for seniors and disabled residents reached record ridership levels while officials plan major expansion to cover all county townships.

The Access Will County program served 4,235 rides from December through March, putting the service on track to exceed 13,000 rides this fiscal year, according to quarterly reports presented to the Public Works & Transportation Committee Tuesday.

Mobility Manager Colin Phillips said the program now serves 16 townships covering two-thirds of Will County’s geographic area, but only one-third of the county’s senior population due to population density differences. The program provides curb-to-curb transportation throughout Will County and parts of southern Cook County using Pace paratransit shuttle buses.

“I would just like to be able to tell every Will County resident who’s a senior or an individual living with disability that they have the same level of access as everyone else,” Phillips said.

Deputy Chief of Staff Elaine Bottomley announced that the county is negotiating with Central Will Dial-a-Ride to consolidate services covering Lockport, Homer, Troy, Joliet, and Jackson townships. The proposal would phase Central Will into the county program with participating communities initially paying full costs before gradually transitioning to county funding over five years.

“We are working on trying to come up with an agreement that I would hope to bring forward to this committee within the next couple of months ahead of our FY26,” Bottomley said.

The current program operates with a $600,000 annual budget, with Will County paying approximately one-third of costs thanks to grants from the Regional Transportation Authority and AgeGuide. Riders pay suggested donations of $2 for trips within their township and $4 for trips outside their township.

Board Member Julie Berkowicz pressed officials about delays in adding Wheatland Township to the service, noting that county residents there are paying taxes that support the program while being excluded from its benefits.

“Every senior in Will County should be getting this service today. They’re subsidizing it,” Berkowicz said. “You are taking people into Wheatland Township, taking them out of Wheatland Township, but the people who are living in Wheatland Township are excluded.”

Officials said they have reached out to Wheatland Township multiple times but have not received responses. The township is the only remaining municipality not covered by either the county program or other local dial-a-ride services.

The program has grown dramatically since 2021, when it served fewer than 4,000 annual rides. Phillips attributed the growth to expanded service areas, increased awareness through community outreach, and the addition of new eligible townships.

Committee members praised the program’s success while emphasizing the need for countywide coverage. The expansion discussions come as public transportation agencies face funding challenges, though officials said federal fiscal issues should not directly impact the local program.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Screenshot 2025-06-05 at 1.43.14 PM

Board Meeting Shorts

Budget Amendment Approved: The board approved amendments to the fiscal year 2025 budget totaling $121.7 million in revenue and $120.1 million in expenses. Changes primarily reflect bond proceeds and related...
Screenshot 2025-06-05 at 1.43.56 PM

Student Council Presidents Highlight Senior Year Accomplishments

Lincoln Way's three student council presidents delivered their final speeches of the school year, highlighting major accomplishments and memorable events before graduating this weekend. Jason Sro from Lincoln Way Central...
Screenshot-2025-06-16-at-3.26.08-PM-1

Will County Board Meeting Briefs Package

COUNTY APPOINTMENTS Fire Protection District: Board approved county executive appointments to Manhattan Fire Protection District board. Agricultural Committee: Approved appointment to Agricultural Area Committee with Member Judy Ogala abstaining due...
Police blue and red flashing light on the car in the street

Manhattan Police Reports

On May 14th, at 1225 A.M. officers observed a vehicle traveling in the area of West North & Foxford at a high rate of speed. Officers radar indicated the gray...
Manhattan School District 114 Logo Graphic

Manhattan District Adopts New Math Program After Comprehensive Review

The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education unanimously approved the adoption of Eureka Math Squared for kindergarten through eighth grade on Tuesday, concluding a year-long evaluation process involving 25...
Manhattan School District 114 Logo Graphic

Manhattan Junior High Scholastic Bowl Team Places Second at State Championship

Manhattan Junior High School's scholastic bowl team achieved a historic milestone by placing second in the state championship, marking the first time in the program's eight-year history that the team...
Manhattan School District 114 Logo Graphic

Enrollment Growth Prompts Staffing Discussions as Construction Continues

Manhattan School District 114 continues managing significant enrollment growth while construction projects remain on schedule for completion by the end of the school year. Current kindergarten enrollment of 218 students...
Manhattan School District 114 Logo Graphic

School District 114 Meeting Briefs

Budget Display Scheduled: The district's fiscal year 2025 amended budget will be on public display from May 15 through June 17, with board approval scheduled for the June 17 meeting....
Manhattan Township

Manhattan Road District Eyes $2.1M Budget, Hinges on Unguaranteed Solar Farm Funds

The Manhattan Township Road District is proposing a $2.15 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a plan that includes the purchase of a new truck and finishing a storage...
Manhattan Township

Manhattan Township Delays Decision on Critical Server Upgrade Amid Security Concerns

Manhattan Township officials are weighing a costly but necessary technology upgrade after learning their primary server is a decade old and runs on unsupported software, posing a potential cybersecurity risk....
frankfort-park-district.1

Frankfort Park District Reorganizes Board, Explores Options for Tax-Impacting Projects

FRANKFORT – The Frankfort Park District Board seated its re-elected members, reorganized its leadership, and approved its new annual budget on Tuesday, while also revealing it is actively exploring options...
Manhattan Township

Assessor Announces End to “Empathetic” Tax Reductions, Raises Senior Freeze Threshold

Manhattan Township homeowners will see two significant changes in property assessment rules, including the end of a long-standing practice of granting tax reductions for fire-damaged properties and a beneficial increase...
Manhattan Township

Meeting Briefs: Manhattan Township for May 13, 2025

Officials Sworn into Office: Clerk Kelly Baltas administered the oath of office to newly elected and re-elected officials. Taking the oath were Supervisor James F. Walsh and Trustees Eileen Fitzer, Paul...
frankfort-park-district

Aging Sara Park Building Poses Challenge for Park District

The Frankfort Park District is grappling with how to address the deteriorating Sara Park building, whose roof is in "bad shape" and whose location within a flood plain complicates any...
frankfort-park-district.1

Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Park District Board for May 13, 2025

The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners re-elected its leadership team for a new term and approved its fiscal year 2025-2026 budget at its meeting on Tuesday. The board also...