Planning and Zoning Commission
A seven-member advisory board was appointed by the County Executive.
Five-year terms
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm
Kimberly Feeney-Mitchell, Commissioner
Term ends: 9/1/22
John Kiefner, Vice-Chairman
Occupation: Owns and operates Kiefner Farm: corn, soybeans, oats, wheat, hay, eggs, and honey. 500 acres.
Position on solar: none found
John keeps a blog on his website, kiefnerfarm.com, writing about one post a month. He tells a nice story, and has a sense of humor. He has been farming for 41 seasons. He was featured in a piece about soybean tariffs in 2018 in the Daily Southtown (Sunday).
Term ends: 9/1/24
Matthew Gugala, Commissioner (leans D)
Term ends: 9/1/2025
Occupation: Financial Secretary/Business Representative of SMART Local 265, the sheet metal workers union. The union, and Mr. Gugala, are active in making FOIA requests for contract awards and contractor rosters on building projects. He has appeared on progressive radio talk shows.
Position on solar: None found
Roger Bettenhausen, Commissioner* Also serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Will/South Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Term ends: 9/1/27
Occupation: President, Armor Packaging Specialties
Mr. Bettenhausen has served on the School Board for Peotone Community School District for almost 30 years. He graduated from Peotone High School in 1968, and earned a BS in Business Administration/Finance. Currently a member of the Will County Farm Bureau, Roger was a board member and held the positions of treasure and vice president. He is a trustee for the Green Garden Greenview Cemetery.
Michael Carruthers, Commissioner
Term ends: 9/1/27
First appointed: 2009
Occupation: Bob’s Discount Furniture, 2021
Michael Carruthers graduated from Providence High School, a Catholic school in New Lenox, Will County. He is the past-president of the Joliet Black Chamber of Commerce, and is a current member of the Joliet Chamber of Commerce in addition to being a member of the Latino Chamber. A former Navy man (72-74), Mr. Carruthers has been Adjutant of the American Legion Buffalo Soldier Post 241. He is a member of Local 75, and is OSHA trained. Much of his work experience is in facilities maintenance.
Hugh Stipan:Chairman (R)
Term Ends: 9/1/27
Occupation: It is unclear what business Mr. Stipan is in.
Mr Stipan donated $250 to Will County Board member Mike Fricilone in 2019 towards his congressional bid for each quarter. He has been a licensed real estate broker, and his wife
Land Use and Development Committee
The Land Use and Development Committee is made up entirely of county board members. Bios of all members are available in the County Board section below.
Tyler Marcum, Chair
Amanda Koch, Vice-Chair
Steve Balich
Saud Gazanfer
Judy Ogalla
Jacqueline Traynere
Tom Weigel
County Board
Will County has a County Executive form of government, one of only two in the state.
13 districts, each with two electeds
Terms: Four years
All Board members are also Board Commissioners on the Forest Preserve District of Will County. Those with positions on the Commission are noted in their bios.
Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D)
Position: County Executive
First elected: 2020
Up for Re-election: 2024
Public position on solar: None found
Public positions/issues: Stabilizing the regional economy through job creation and business growth, investing in infrastructure.
Additional bio: Jennifer was born and raised in Will County and was a high school teacher and principal. Her first elected position was Regional Superintendent of Schools in Will County. She is a former Illinois State Senator.
Sherry Newquist (D)
District and Position: 1 (Steger)
Boards and Committees: Diversity and Inclusion; Legislative and Judicial; Public Works and Transportation, Vice-Chair.
First elected: 2019, re-elected in 2020
Up for Re-election: 2020
Public position on solar: None found
Occupation: Worked in the financial industry; has been a restaurant owner.
Additional bio: Lived in Will County since 1980. She has been a Trustee for the Village of Steger and a Trustee on the Steger-SCH Library Board. Newquist has been a Democratic Committeewoman since 2007 and volunteered for Barack Obama’s campaigns in 2008 and 2012. She was endorsed by AFSCME and IUOE in 2020. She has an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Judy Ogalla (R)
District and Position: 1 (Monee), Minority Whip
Boards and Committees: Executive Committee; Finance Committee; Land Use and Development Committee; Legislative and Judicial.
First elected: 2012
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: Very skeptical about solar. Concerns about construction noise and impact on animals during and after construction. Voted “no” on endorsing the 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region at the 2/25/21 full Board meeting, citing carbon emissions in manufacture of panels, electric car batteries, battery recycling, the amount of sunlight needed for solar panels to produce sufficent energy per capita.
Public positions/issues: Her property is part of what may be used for a new airport. A total of $100 million had been spent on land acquisition and studies for the airport that has not been started. Monee is the site of Will County’s fourth Amazon distribution center, something she showed lukewarm support for. She is the vice president of the group Shut This Airport Nightmare Down.
Occupation: Farms soy, corn, and wheat
Other community involvement: Youth sports coach, religious education aide.
Additional bio: Judy served on the Will Township Road District and is on the Will County Farm Bureau’s Governmental Affairs Committee. Ms Ogalla is supportive of farmers and their families, and advocates for the unincorporated area of her district. Property rights in specific are important to her.
Amanda Koch (D)
District and Position: 2 (Frankfort)
Boards and Committees: Land Use and Development; Legislative and Judicial
First elected: 2018
Public position on solar: None found
Public positions/issues: Water shortage in the county; opioid addiction and treatment; well-planned and sustainable development; public safety; community outreach.
Attend school in county: Yes. Graduated from Lincoln-Way High School. Eastern Illinois University, BA in History and Social Studies, Secondary Education.
Additional bio: Amanda Koch has spent her whole life in the district she represents. Koch served more than 11 years in the US Army Reserve, completing two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. She retired as a Sergeant and now serves as the adjutant at her VFW post as well as serving on the board of the Will County Veterans Assistance Commission. Ms. Koch was named as a defendant in a suit filed on 8/9/2022 against board members of the Will County Veterans Assistance Commission. The suit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, claiming that according to Illinois state law, a Veterans Assistance Commission cannot form a separate committee or board of the Commission to exercise Commission powers. Additionally, Koch and at least one other defendant is singled out for holding an appointed position: there is a statutory prohibition on County Board members holding appointed office.
Jim Moustis (R)
District and Position: 2 (Frankfort)
Boards and Committees: Executive Committee; Finance Committee; Public Works and Transportation Committee
First elected: 1992
Term ends: 2022
Up for Re-election: Not running
Public position on solar: Supported the use of solar at the new courthouse and landfill in 2018.
Other community involvement: Supervisor of Frankfort Township; Public Building Committee chair, St. Anthony’s Church; Frankfort Lions; Knights of Columbus; Frankfort Chamber of Commerce (former president).
Attend school in county: No. Has lived in county for 30 years.
Raquel M. Mitchell (R)
District and Position: 3 (Bolingbrook)
Boards and Committees: Diversity and Inclusion Committee; Public Health and Safety Committee
First elected: 2022
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: Voted “no” on endorsing the 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region at the 2/25/21 full Board meeting.
Occupation: Real estate broker and owner of RL Strategies
Other community involvement: Republican Precinct Committeeman since 2014. Campaign Consultant for Mark Batnick.
Attend school in county: N/A, Gustavus Adolphus College and Northwestern University.
Additional bio: Ms. Mitchell is a former Wheatland Township Trustee (2013-2020), and served briefly on the Will County Board for her district from 2015-2016. She has been the campaign manager for candidates vying for state and national elected positions.
Margaret Tyson (D)
District and Position: 3 (Bolingbrook)
Boards and Committees: Diversity and Inclusion Committee--Chair; Executive Committee; Finance Committee—Vice-Chair; Public Health and Safety Committee;
First elected: 2019
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: None found
Public positions/issues: Ms. Tyson would like to see the ARPA funds used to provide broadband internet to the county, address unmet needs in healthcare, and reduce disparities. She is a proponent of using the cannabis tax to educate or assist with small business funds for formerly incarcerated individuals disadvantaged by the old cannabis laws.
Occupation: Substitute teacher
Other community involvement: Volunteer for Wheatland Township government since 2012.
Attend school in county: No.
Additional bio: Ms. Tyson calls herself an activist and public servant. She has lived in the area for 20 years
Saud Gazanfer (D)
District and Position: 4 (Bolingbrook)
Boards and Committees: Diversity and Inclusion Committee; Finance Committee; Land Use and Development Committee.
Appointed: March 2022—replaced member who resigned
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: Publicly supports investment in wind and solar energy and wants to incorporate eco-friendly and green initiatives in his district. He sees them as an economic stimulus.
Public positions/issues: Supports protecting the environment and a business-friendly county. Diversity and inclusion is part of his campaign platform and encompasses not just involvement in government, but he has a goal of 55% of contracts to be awarded to minority-owned businesses.
Occupation: Software engineer and small business owner
Other community involvement: Provides free Notary Public services; Volunteer security officer at community centers in the area; volunteers at and organizes fundraisers for local and international organizations.
Additional bio: He has lived in Bolingbrook for more than 15 years. Mr. Gazanfer has been an Election Judge, a Deputy Registrar of Will County, and is an active member of the Exchange Club of North Will County. He is the first Muslim American to serve on the board, and he values the impact of local government. He was born in India, and his family left because of constant discrimination, moving next to Dubai and finally the U.S.—neither of those moves alleviated their experience of discrimination.
Jacqueline Traynere (D)
District and Position: 4 (Bolingbrook)
Boards and Committees: Capital Improvements Committee; Finance Committee; Land Use and Development Committee
First elected: 2008
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: As Administrator of DuPage Township, she championed the use of solar energy via rooftop solar through Solstice Community Solar, signing up the Township’s municipal meters for community solar with Solstice. Concerned about solar project screening being unnecessary. Prefers the look of a solar farm without screening.
Public positions/issues: Wants to use federal pandemic aid for her district in expanded mental and physical health services at the Northern Will County Health Department; a new food pantry; and job training programs for those in entry-level jobs. Supports more IT employers, and improvement in IT programs at local educational institutions to attract employers. Supports the road tax that was just voted in because the County is a large inland port.
Occupation: Current Administrator of DuPage Township. Former President of The Cleaning Authority; current real estate agent at Baird Warner in Naperville.
Other community involvement: Winston Village Association-Secretary; Bolingbrook Chamber; Romeoville Chamber; Citizens Against Abuse; Raise the Floor; Bolingbrook Pride; Chair of DuPage Township Democrats; Rotarian; Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership Training Academy - Board Member; Illinois Democratic Women of Will County - Founding President
Attend school in county: N/A. Attended Harvard/Kennedy School of Government.
Additional bio: Ms.Traynere grew up in Bolingbrook and unsuccessfully ran for Mayor twice.
Gretchen Fritz (R)
District and Position: 5 (Plainfield)
First elected: 2014
Term ends: 2022
Up for Re-election: Not running—Running for County Clerk
Public position on solar: Voted “no” on endorsing the 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region at the 2/25/21 full Board meeting.
Occupation: Owns a proofreading business and is the co-host and co-producer of On Target Radio.
Other community involvement: Member of the NRA, ISRA, and Fellowship Chapel church.
Additional bio: Former trustee for the Plainfield Public Library District. Chair of the Will County Young Republicans from 2009-2011, and secretary from 2011-2013. Active in the Plainfield Township Republican Organization.
Meta Mueller (D)
District and Position: 5 (Aurora), Majority Leader
Boards and Committees: Capital Improvements Committee; Executive Committee; Public Health and Safety Committee
First elected: 2018
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: Prioritizes making Will County a national leader in clean energy, and the Clean Energy Capital of Illinois.
Public positions/issues: Supports inclusion and diversity; well-paid jobs. Concerned about mental health care crisis, healthcare deserts, traffic, and opioid deaths and access to treatment..
Occupation: Accounting, administration, property management
Don Gould (R)
District and Position: 6 (Shorewood)
Boards and Committees: Capital Improvements Committee; Public Works and Transportation Committee
First elected: 2002
Term ends: 2022
Up for Re-election: Not running
Public position on solar: None found
Occupation: Attorney
Other community involvement: Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce member and past president; Holy Family Parish; Will County Board of Health, member; Moran A.C., member; Will County Historical Society, Member.
Additional bio: Member of the Will County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. Member of the Purdue Alumni Association and the JCA Alumni Association.
Joe Van Duyne (D)
District and Position: 6 (Wilmington)
Boards and Committees: Capital Improvements Committee, Vice Chair; Executive Committee; Public Works and Transportation Committee, Chair; Forest Preserve District of Will County, Board of Commissioners, President.
First elected: 2018
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: None found
Public positions/issues: Supports union jobs, second amendment rights, and safety and security for motorcyclists. Concerned about freight mobility that reduces unnecessary truck traffic and increases safety.
Occupation: Union electrician
Additional bio: Former Alderman in Wilmington. He is a strong union supporter; both he and his wife belong to IBEW, and his father and grandfather were also union tradesmen. Serves as
Steve Balich (R) (Tea Party)
District and Position: 7 (Homer Glen)
Boards and Committees: Land Use & Development
First elected: 2012
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: Voted “no” on endorsing the 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region at the 2/25/21 full Board meeting. Cited labor issues.
Public positions/issues: In his 2018 candidate questionnaire, Mr Balich said he is against increasing property taxes and is for smaller government and fewer regulations. He sees excessive taxes as the single most important issue in the county and believes roads and the impact of development need to be addressed in relation to infrastructure that supports economic development. He is active in land use and construction in the Village of Homer Glen also, weighing in on multifamily and senior housing projects there. Mr. Balich gave a heated response to the climate action plan in the Feb 25, 2021 meeting.
Occupation: Real Estate
Other community involvement: Will County Tea Party Alliance; Homer Lockport Tea Party; Homer Founders Club Board of Directors; Homer Township Emergency Management and Safety Committee chair; Founder of the Conservative Committeeman Project. 911 Tribute Ceremony Chairman; SOS Children’s Village & La Rabida Toy Drive.
Attend school in county: No.
Additional bio: Steve is a former Homer Township Clerk and was a trustee for eight years. He now serves on the Will County Land Use and Development Committee, and volunteers for organizations and events in Homer Township. He has been a Chamber of Commerce Trustee, a member of the Homer Glen Comprehensive Plan Committee, the Home Glen Green Space Committee, the Homer Township Parks and Recreation Committee, and the Homer Township Trantina Farm Committee. He is a former Teamster.
Mike Fricilone (R)
District and Position: 7 (Homer Glen) Minority Leader
Boards and Committees: Executive Committee; Finance Committee
First elected: 2012
Term ends: 2022
Up for Re-election: Not running
Public position on solar: Voted “no” on endorsing the 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region at the 2/25/21 full Board meeting.
Public positions/issues: .
Occupation: Director of Midwest Office Interiors
Other community involvement: President of Lockport High School Foundation; Vice-President of the Order Sons of Italy in America; on the finance committee of his church.
Attend school in county: No
Additional bio: Mike has lived in Will County for 31 years.
Herbert Brooks, Jr. (D)
District and Position: 8 (Joliet)
Boards and Committees: Executive Committee; Capital Improvements—Chair; Public Works & Transportation
First elected: 2008
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: None found
Occupation: Pastor of St. John M.B. Church since 1990; Former Elder Abuse Investigator for Illinois Department of Aging, Will County (18 years). Retired in 2008
Other community involvement: President of Joliet Ecumenical Clergy Association; CEO of Joliet Black Chamber of Commerce; NAACP Board member; Family Violence Coordinating Council, 12th Judicial Circuit; Health Care Authority Coalition; Board member on Will County Workforce Investment Board; Board of Directors, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Will County; other faith-based service.
Attend school in county: BA in Business, Lasalle University; John Marshall Law School certificate of completion in Social Law.
Additional bio: Past member of the Joliet Herald News Editorial Board; former speaker of the Will County Board—the first-ever African American elected to the position.
Denise Winfrey (D)
District and Position: 8 (Joliet)
Boards and Committees: Diversity and Inclusion Committee—Vice-chair; Executive Committee; Legislative and Judicial Committee--Chair; Public Works & Transportation
First elected: 2009
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: None found
Public positions/issues: Committed to social responsibility, education. She is leading $50 million in sewer and water projects for her district.
Other community involvement: Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living; Accessible Cities Alliance for Joliet; Court Appointed Special Advocates of Joliet; National Hook-Up of Black Women, Joliet Chapter.
Attend school in county: Yes. Joliet public schools; undergraduate work at Lewis University. MS from American University in Washington, D.C. Post-graduate work at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland at Case Western Reserve.
Additional bio: Ms. Winfery is the current second vice president of the National Association of Counties. She previously served as the vice-chair of the Large Urban Counties Caucus, and as vice-chair of the Community Economic Workforce Development Steering Committee.
Annette Parker (R)
District and Position: 9 (Crest Hill)
Boards and Committees: Capital Improvements Committee; Executive Committee; Public Health and Safety
First elected: 2014
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: Voted “no” on endorsing the 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region at the 2/25/21 full Board meeting.
Public positions/issues: Lower property taxes for Lockport and Will County’s improved storm water drainage; advocated for Prairie Bluff Preserve restoration.
Occupation: Executive Director of the Lockport Chamber of Commerce
Attend school in county: Yes. Lockport Township High School. BA from Lewis University.
Additional bio: Annette is a former Commissioner on the Lockport Township Park Board. She was endorsed by Safe Suburbs USA, the Will-Grundy Central Trades and Labor Council AFL-CIO, and the Will County Republican Central Committee when she ran for Lockport Township Clerk. She was the Director of Marketing and Sales for the Rialto Square Theater from 2001-2017.
Rachel Ventura (D)
District and Position: 9 (Joliet)
Boards and Committees: Executive Committee; Finance Committee; Public Health and Safety, Chair; Forest Preserve District of Will County, Board of Commissioners, Vice President.
First elected: 2018
Term ends: 2022
Up for Re-election: Not running—Running for Illinois Senate
Public position on solar: None found .
Occupation: Business Director at Legendary Games
Other community involvement: American Legion Auxiliary; Girl Scouts; District 86 School; Educarious Expert; Board Member of RPG Creators Relief Fund; Multicultural Coalition;
Will County Regional Sustainability Network; Will County Progressive; Illinois Democratic Women of Will
Attend school in county: Yes. Graduated from Joliet Central High School; has degrees in math and biology (unclear what level),
Additional bio: Directs the Drunk’n Gnome Show annually. She has twin daughters and is a single mom.
Natalie Coleman (D)
District and Position: 10 (Plainfield)
Boards and Committees: Capital Improvements; Legislative and Judicial--Vice-Chair
First elected: 2020
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: None found .
Occupation: CEO at After the Peanut
Other community involvement:
Additional bio: Dr. Coleman was born and raised in Joliet. She is a former Military Police Officer in the Illinois National Guard and has more than 15 years of experience in education. She has provided training on Next Generation Science Standard for the state and was National Geographic Educator of the Week. She believes that innovation, creativity, communication, and collaboration can lead to a productive and empathetic world. Dr. Coleman earned a Master of Education from Governors State University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. She recently earned a PhD in Education.
Tyler Marcum (D)
District and Position: 10 (Joliet)
Boards and Committees: Executive Committee; Finance Committee; Land Use & Development Committee, Chair; Legislative and Judicial Committee; Forest Preserve District of Will County, Board of Commissioners, Treasurer.
First elected: 2016
Term ends: 2022
Up for Re-election: Not running
Public position on solar: None found
Other community involvement: Served three years on the Joliet Township High School Board. Relay for Life volunteer (15 years), member of the Joliet Township High School Foundation, and member of the Alumni Association. Served on Governor Quinn’s Young Adult Heroin Task Force in 2014 as the Illinois’ school boards representative.
Attend school in county: Yes. He is a lifelong resident.
Additional bio: Tyler Marcum earned a BA in political science from Benedictine University in Lisle. During his undergraduate studies, he was the treasurer and president of the Political Science Student Association. He played four years of NCAA football. Mr. Marcum was selected to be a Public Service Fellow with the Center for Civic Leadership under former Attorney General Jim Ryan.
Julie Berkowicz (R)
District and Position: 11 (Naperville)
Boards and Committees: Capital Improvements; Diversity & Inclusion; Legislative & Judicial
First elected
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: Voted “no” endorsing the 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region at the 2/25/21 full board meeting. Cited concern about solar farms taking up “a lot of good, fertile farmland”, and reduce production of food “that we need locally”. Thinks it is a “huge drain on our natural resources” to provide land for solar farms.
Occupation: Sales Professional for Soft Surroundings since 2016
Other community involvement: Rotary Club of Naperville, Indian Prairie District Special Needs Program, 2003-2021; Indian Prairie Distinguished Commissioner, 1998-2016. Knoch Knolls Homeowners Association Board, 1996-2016. Poppy Chair of VFW Post #3873 since 2016. Board member of Riverwalk Adult Day Services since 2018.
Dr. Mimi Cowan (D)
District and Position: 11 (Naperville) Speaker of the Will County Board
Boards and Committees: Executive Committee--Chair
Term ends: 2022
Up for Re-election: Not running
Public position on solar: None found
Public positions/issues: Long-term conservative fiscal planning for the County while providing necessary service and protecting forest preserve areas and natural resources.
Occupation: Teacher at the college level.
Attend school in county: Yes.
Additional bio: Grew up in Naperville. Attended North Central College; BA in Music and Communications. Master’s from National University of Ireland; Ph.D. in history from Boston College.
Districts 12 and 13 have been eliminated.
Some candidates are running in their newly formed districts.
Frankie Pretzel (R)
District and Position: 12 (New Lenox)
Boards and Committees: Finance Committee; Public Works and Transportation Committee
Joined board: 2020
Up for Re-election: 2022 Running for new District 2
Public position on solar: Voted “no” on endorsing the 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region at the 2/25/21 full Board meeting.
Public positions/issues: Wants to repeal the county gas tax. He says resident concerns are taxes and crime.
Occupation: Owner of a Crumbl Cookies franchise (since March 2022)
Other community involvement: Member of the Cherry Hill Church of Christ in Joilet.
Attend school in county: Yes. Lincoln-Way High School.
Additional bio: Mr. Pretzel was a National Account Manager for a medical equipment manufacturer from 2007-2022, where he was also a field sales trainer, a member of the President’s Club, and a 10-time Optimum Award winner. He has a BA in Political Science and Government from the University of Illinois Chicago, where he was also a national qualifier on the men’s gymnastics team. He is a lifelong resident of New Lenox.
Tom Weigel
District and Position: 12 (New Lenox)
Boards and Committees: Land Use and Development Committee; Legislative and Judicial Committee; Public Works and Transportation Committee
Term ends: 2022
Up for Re-election: Not running
Public position on solar: Voted “no” on endorsing the 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region at the 2/25/21 full Board meeting.
Occupation: Retired EJ&E Railway Company environmental engineer
Other community involvement: 911 board; Local Emergency Planning Committee
Additional bio: Former New Lenox Village Trustee (17 years)
Mica Freeman (D)
District and Position: 13 (Plainfield) Running for New District 8
Boards and Committees: Public Health and Safety; Public Works and Transportation, Forest Preserve District of Will County, Board of Commissioners Secretary.
First elected: 2020
Up for Re-election: 2022
Public position on solar: None found
Public positions/issues: Supports unions, concerned about traffic congestion, county portion of tax revenue is not enough to support new construction, good jobs, etc. or address the environmental crisis.
Occupation: Teacher
Other community involvement: Sunday school teacher for adults and first graders; ten years of volunteering with ParentWISE helping families prepare for surgeries; classroom volunteer.
Additional bio: Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University; BA and teacher’s certification from Eastern Illinois University.
Debbie Kraulidis
District and Position: 13 (Joilet)
Boards and Committees: Legislative and Judicial Committee; Public Health and Safety Committee.
Term ends: 2022
Up for Re-election: Not running
Public position on solar: None found
Local Officials
County Assessor (Supervisor of Assessments)
Rhonda R. Novak
(815) 740-4648
Became the county chief SOA in 2002. Initiated paper-to-digital migration of county data. Chairman of the Certified Illinois Assessing Officials. Chairman of the Illinois Property Assessment Institute. Belongs to the International Association of Assessing Officers and County Assessment Officers Association of Illinois. Lives in Channahon, has two children and two grandchildren.
County Clerk
Lauren Staley Ferry
coclrk@willcounty.gov
(815) 740-4615
Democrat, elected in 2018, term ends 2022. Previous member of the county board, worked for CapitalOne as project manager. Lifelong inhabitant of Will County; born and raised in Joliet; went to St. Mary Nativity Grade School and Joliet Catholica Academy. Business Management degree from Rasmussen College. Expanded early voting; spearheaded ‘Vote By Mail Automation Program’; started Election Report for the first time; honored by Illinois State Crime Commission. Mother of a son
County Executive
Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D)
countyexec@willcounty.gov
(815) 740-4601
First elected in 2020, current term ends in 2024, No public position found on solar energy. Her public priorities are stabilizing the regional economy through job creation and business growth, and investing in infrastructure. Jennifer was born and raised in Will County and was a high school teacher and principal. Her first elected position was Regional Superintendent of Schools in Will County. She is a former Illinois State Senator, and is the first woman to hold the office of Will County Executive.
County Treasurer
Timothy M. Brophy (D)
treasurer@willcountyillinois.com
815-740-4675
First elected in 2018, term ends in 2022 (Running for re-election), son of a firefighter father and a nurse motherBachelor of Arts from Illinois Wesleyan University (Business Administration and Spanish); Master of Business Administration from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. City councilman of Joliet from 1995 to 2011; past president of Rotary club of Joliet; past president of the Board of Directors of Will county Habitat for Humanity; Executive Director of Irish American Society of Will County.
County Sheriff
Mike Kelley (D)
(815) 727-8575
Joined the department in 1988, Term ends 2022. Member of the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, the Illinois Homicide Investigators Association, executive board member of Deputies Union, executive board member of Supervisors Union. Married; 3 sons.
