Grundy County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Grundy County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Bond Debt Retirement Schedule
The commission's Series 2015 bonds make their last debt service payment on Dec. 1, 2026, and the Series 2016 bonds finish Dec. 1, 2027. That means the county buildings financed by those bonds will soon be fully paid for.
Nuclear safety and emergency preparedness planning
The Local Emergency Planning Committee reported three hazardous-material incidents in the past month: spills in Seneca and Morris and an overpressurized rail car handled with a controlled release. A Morris Hospital disaster exercise is set for October 1.
Sheriff's Office communications contract
The county is considering having Simple Communications take over contractual IT work for the sheriff's office, since in-house technical staff have thinned out. It's only a placeholder in the tech budget — the contract still has to come before the board.
Land use budget shortfall
Permit revenue is running $120,000 short because last year's solar petition wave didn't repeat — but savings from the retired land use director and contract review engineers make up most of the difference.
I&M Canal restoration and tourism
Grundy County pulled in $119 million in visitor spending — third-highest around. Local leaders are working on an intergovernmental deal with IDNR to fix leaking sections of the I&M Canal, including the stretch near Gebhard Woods that won't fill with water.
SKK Assessor Consulting Contract
The assessor's office contract with SKK Consulting would renew for a year at $8,500 a month, up $2,000, because Stephanie has been working full-time-plus through heavy tax protests and will focus more on commercial assessments.
Tyler Tech Software Implementation
The county's GIS system is getting a roughly year-long overhaul — new server, rewritten scripts, republished services — after some drive failures. This is the mapping data behind everything from property lookups to planning.
Mobile Flu Clinics and At-Home Shots
Flu clinics have reached Elliott Manor, Saratoga Towers, the Gardner resource center, and New Hope Presbyterian in Coal City, plus employee shots for 24 county workers. A new at-home flu shot program serves homebound residents.
Medicare Open Enrollment and SHIP Counseling
Traditional Medicare Part D premiums in the area jumped from $0 to at least $55 a month, and counselors expect a wave of calls. A November 6 seminar with Medicare expert Sandy Leith is being promoted.
STI Testing Program Launch
The health department rolled out new STI testing with standing orders signed by Dr. Howd. Staff are still working out billing and advertising.
Active TB case management in Grundy County
One resident is being treated for active tuberculosis through the health department and Sunny Hill TB Clinic, using direct-observation therapy. All of the person's contacts have tested negative, which means the spread risk appears contained.
UDO text amendment cleanup
A months-long rewrite of several sections of the county's Unified Development Ordinance came back to the board after the county board caught grammatical errors in September. With content unchanged, the board again recommended it forward.
Conversion of former church to climate-controlled self-storage
Storage-facility owners Sean and Heather Egglin converted their vacant former church building into climate-controlled storage in 2024 but needed the special use permit formally updated to get final occupancy and close out their bank loan. The board granted the modification with four extra conditions.
Livestock setback variance for horse barn on narrow lot
A landowner wanted to keep horses on a three-acre lot too narrow for the county's 100-foot livestock setback. The board agreed the L-shaped parcel left no compliant building spot and granted the variance, letting roughly three horses be housed about 40 feet from the property line.
Health Department finances
The Health Department is running at 86% of its subsidy budget with three months of the fiscal year left, spending $83,884 more than it took in during September.
Trustee certificate cancellations
Three parcels held by the county trustee since 1999 are being purchased, cancelling the certificates and putting the properties back on the tax rolls — good news for the tax base.
VAC administrative assistant staffing
The Veterans Assistance Commission wants more office help now that it has space in a new building — support for phones, transportation coordination, intake and records. The committee rejected the full-time version on cost grounds but backed a permanent part-time position up to 29 hours a week, with budget tweaks needed before it goes to the full board in November.
SalClay Truck & Trailer Repair Access Variance
SalClay's request to be excused from county corner-clearance access rules at its proposed Dupont Road/Verona Road location was tabled at the company's own request until October 22. Local businesses spoke in support of SalClay at the August meeting.
Employment practice claim against circuit clerk's office
A former circuit clerk's office employee filed an EEOC/human rights complaint alleging harassment, age discrimination, and inadequate training before termination. If she receives a right-to-sue notice, it could become a lawsuit against the county.
ETSB staffing transition
911 dispatch (ETSB) is hiring four telecommunicators from 16 applicants due to retirements and resignations, and a hiring committee with a recruiting firm is working to replace director Kevin Bogard as he shifts into sheriff's operations.
FY27 sheriff's squad purchase
The sheriff needs five new marked squads for FY27, and the low bid came in about $14,000 under the $255,000 budgeted. It now goes to the full County Board on July 14 for final approval.
Election Equipment Payoff Saves About $80,000 a Year
The county makes its final payments on voting equipment this year, meaning it now owns the machines outright — freeing roughly $80,000 in future budgets. The clerk is negotiating a maintenance agreement with the vendor.
New state Medicaid program impact on reimbursements
Board members discussed a state Medicaid program taking effect January 1 that could dramatically affect the health department's reimbursements. Members were urged to attend the state's webinar and prepare to help confused recipients.
Amendment to water-well Ordinance 2015-001
The board approved wording changes to the county's water-well code update and recommended the amended ordinance to the County Board for a final vote. Private well owners could see updated permitting and inspection rules if the County Board adopts it.