Mimi Cowan Re-Elected As Will Co. Board Speaker

WILL COUNTY, IL — The Will County Board elected members to leadership positions Monday, according to a news release.

Mimi Cowan (D-Naperville) will once again be the Speaker for two years, while Meta Mueller (D-Aurora) was selected as Majority Leader and Mike Fricilone (R-Homer Glen) was chosen as Minority Leader. Margaret Tyson (D-Bolingbrook) will serve as Democratic Caucus Whip and Judy Ogalla (R-Monee) will serve as Republican Caucus Whip.

"We have made great progress this past year, but we have major challenges facing our county as we simultaneously grapple with a worldwide pandemic, severe stress on our resources, and a struggling economy," Cowan said. "I am humbled to accept this position as Will County Board Speaker, and I am committed to working on behalf of all of the residents of our county while at the same time maintaining fiscally responsible county government operations."

The board last month approved the new FY 21 budget that began on Dec. 1. The total budget is $718 million, of which $258 million is in the corporate fund and $460 million is in special funds. The new budget meets all of the county’s debt obligations, and contributes over $2 million towards the county’s required pension and other retirement obligations. These strong fiscal practices have allowed the County to maintain its AA+ bond rating.

"I look forward to working with the Speaker to serve the needs of our constituents in the coming year," Fricilone said. "There is no shortage of work to be done during these trying times, and we will work together to do what is best for Will County taxpayers."

In the past year, the board worked diligently to support the response to the coronavirus pandemic which has caused higher unemployment rates in Will County and has also contributed to revenue loss in both the public and private sectors. Mueller noted it has been a balancing act to fund critical services in the face of reduced tax receipts. Federal funds have helped offset the pain that COVID -19 has wrought on businesses, local taxing bodies, non-profits, and residents in the county.

"Will County received more than $120.5 million in federal coronavirus relief funds this year," he said. "We’ve worked hard to quickly distribute those relief funds throughout the county, but we know that our work is not done yet."

The board created a Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security committee to oversee the distribution of the $120.5 million in relief funds. Over $66 million were directed to local taxing bodies that provide vital services to residents and have been impacted by COVID-19.

The initial allocation of funds directed $24.1 million to small businesses and farms, $12 million to individuals needing support for shelter, food, and utilities, $6 million for non-profits, and $12 million for other needs like public safety. The County Board will continue to prioritize the response to the COVID-19 pandemic next year.

Also, on the Board’s agenda next year will be continuing work on critical infrastructure improvements, and additional progress on a master plan for managing and optimizing logistics and truck traffic through the county.

"These are challenging times,” said Cowan said. "We're ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work."