It’s hard to believe that just a short time ago we were enjoying summertime events. Now, most of us are celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday and all the great things that come to us this time of year. In fact the month of November is that special time when we often reflect on the good things in our lives by remembering others and giving thanks.

There are many things to be proud of in Will County – even as we face some very difficult times. One of the areas where we’ve seen great success is through our environmental programs. The county’s Land Use Department’s Waste Services Division has worked hard to insure our environmental priorities are carried out and recycling programs established.

Last year, we formed a number of partnerships throughout Will County that helped to create permanent sites for residential electronics recycling. With the assistance of our of recycling specialist, Marta Keane, the Village of Bolingbrook, Channahon and Troy Townships and the Village of Beecher and Washington Township now offer locations for residents to drop off electronic items. These recycling drop-off centers will accept anything with a computer chip and will help curb the estimated 20-50 million tons of electronic waste that is generated on a annual basis. Because of this great collaborative effort in Will County, electronics that are known to contain hazardous materials such as mercury and lead will be recycled instead of polluting our landfills. 

As County Executive, I’ve had the opportunity to attend several of the tax forums offered by our Will County Supervisor of Assessments Office. These forums have reaffirmed what I often hear from our citizens out in the community: Taxpayers are frustrated by the rise in their property tax bills.

While most tax increases come from specific taxing districts, such as a recently passed referendum by a school district, some are due to the rise in a property’s assessed value. Taxpayers often find that understanding an increase in property value can be complex and difficult to address. Fortunately, there is a specific course of action a citizen can take if they feel their property has been assessed in error.

Summer has finally arrived and it won’t be long before we gather with family and friends to celebrate the 232nd birthday of our independence as a Nation. While many Americans observe the 4th of July with parades, picnics, cookouts, outdoor games and fireworks, it is good to remember that on this day in 1776, members of the Second Continental Congress adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.

Written by Thomas Jefferson, and signed by 56 men who showed great courage in supporting the document that declared liberation from Great Britain, the Declaration of Independence has become one of the most admired and copied political documents of all time.

History, tradition and a rich heritage are all part of Will County’s legacy. We have come a long way since the first settlers began building their homes and lives here. But we should never forget our roots and must continue to find ways to preserve the physical characteristics of our past.

We are very fortunate to have a number of organizations and museums in Will County that have done a remarkable job in preserving our history. Today however, I would like to focus on our very own Will County Historic Preservation Commission, which is part of the county’s Land Use Department. I am very proud of the work they have done to maintain that delicate balance between historic preservation and new development.

Remembering Dr. King

For many people, January isn’t the most anticipated month of the year as it often brings the let-down of holiday excitement and a reinforced knowledge that winter is here to stay for awhile. A positive aspect of the month however, is the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., when his birth, life and death are formally remembered in various ways. This includes his birthday on Jan. 15 and Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day - a federal holiday observed on the third Monday in January.