Board Member Expresses Frustration
A Will County Board member expressed frustration over stalled funding for an immigration services group. The county executive’s office cited insufficient documentation as the reason for not awarding the grant money.
Board member Destinee Ortiz, a Romeoville Democrat, highlighted that the board voted 12-10 last November to allocate $200,000 from its cannabis tax revenue to Illinois Workers in Action (IWA) for immigration services. Ortiz, along with 11 board Republicans, approved the budget which included a 0% tax levy and various programs to benefit from cannabis revenue. IWA, a nonprofit with locations in Chicago, Bolingbrook, and Aurora, serves the Will County area, according to Ortiz.
Approval and Delays
Before the approval, IWA coordinators addressed both Republican and Democratic caucuses. Ortiz and Republican board member Vince Logan presented recommendations for funding allocations to the County Board. Ortiz noted they assessed a mix of prior and new initiatives.
Nearly 10 months later, Ortiz reported that the grant for IWA remains undelivered. She questioned the extent of discretion the executive’s office has regarding county budget appropriations.
Response from Executive’s Office
Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant’s office indicated the board’s proposal lacked detail, preventing a payout. According to Mike Theodore, a spokesman, funds must be designated for specific purposes and reimbursed post-receipt submission to ensure they remain within intended use.
Theodore noted that the cannabis funding approval process was confusing, with documentation featuring both typed and handwritten notes. He echoed concerns about IWA not being recognized by county employees and doubts about its authorization by the U.S. Department of Justice for legal services for immigrants. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the fund allocation towards salaries.
Illinois Workers in Action’s Role
Giselle Rodriguez, IWA’s executive director, shared that organizers had answered board members’ questions. Since January, the organization has assisted nearly 31,000 people, mainly in the Chicago suburbs. IWA, established in 2021, focuses on labor justice, immigration, public health, and advocacy.
Rodriguez detailed how the group supports employees in combating workplace discrimination and offers free immigration consultations. IWA conducts training, pop-up food distribution, mental health sessions, parenting classes, and English lessons, relying on grants for its operations.
Ongoing Challenges and Efforts
Ortiz aims for resolution on fiscal year 2026 allocations amid ongoing discussions for fiscal year 2027. Historically, organizations that received cannabis funds reported back on their use and community impact.
Ortiz emphasized the importance of addressing immigrant needs in Will County’s minority-rich areas like Joliet and Bolingbrook. State Sen. Rachel Ventura also voiced concerns over unresolved funds in correspondence with the county executive.
Path Forward
Jim Richmond, Republican leader on the County Board, stressed the need for the executive’s office to follow through on board decisions. The County Board formed an ad hoc committee to review cannabis revenue allocation and distribution. The group began meeting in August to establish clarity and structure in these processes.
Will County has historically allocated cannabis revenue towards public health and safety. However, some local movements challenge the current allocation approach, advocating for communities affected by historical drug policies to benefit from such funds.
The board’s previous allocations included significant sums for a housing stabilization program, the Children’s Advocacy Center, workforce services, among others. The clerk’s office similarly awaits funding for election equipment, as shared by the chief of staff in a committee meeting last July.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter.
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