By Nick Reiher

Anyone who has experienced meetings of the Will County Board and its committees, either in person or virtually, can tell you a rumble is apt to break out at any time, on any issue, including the usually routine matter of approving minutes of a past meeting.

While not physical in nature, these rumbles can degenerate into shouting matches and/or hours-long discussions with no consequence.

On more than one such occasion, Sherry Williams, D-Crest Hill, Will County Democratic Majority Leader, has asked for more decorum and respect among the board members. She has not been alone, but so far, unsuccessful.

That led her to suggest County Board members enter into a program with Dr. Maribeth Hearn, Director of the Career Success Center at the University of St. Francis in Joliet.

“I really do believe each of the County Board members wants to do the best for residents,” Williams said. “But I also believe we lack a common direction. We’re fighting over everything. We need something to bring us together, to have a plan going forward.”

The board, unanimously, approved a resolution to spend $15,000 on the USF program at its last meeting, Williams said.

Williams said she, Board Speaker Joe Van Duyne, D-Wilmington, and Jim Richmond, R-Mokena, Republican Minority Leader, then met with Hearn recently as to how to proceed.

“Dr. Hearn said she would be giving out surveys to see where everything is,” Williams said. “We’ll be focusing on priorities and how to get them accomplished.”

The plan is to meet as often as possible for six to eight weeks, “but with us, it might be longer,” Williams said laughing.

She said Hearn suggested not meeting at the Will County Office Building, where the board and its committees usually meet, but the Forest Preserve District headquarters on Laraway Road might be a possibility.

County Board members also are Forest Preserve District Commissioners on a separate governing board.

The biggest challenge will be getting board members together for small group discussions, considering everyone’s busy schedules. She thought maybe after a regular meeting day, so long as they don’t drag on for hours.

“We won’t do it after Land Use (Committee),” she said laughing, noting issues on the agenda there often are many and can include a long line of comments from proponents and opponents who have come to speak.

Williams realizes some board members are wary of others due to personality clashes and, of course, politics.

“I know some have problems with (Board Member) Dan Butler. He attended the rally on January 6. He and I don’t always agree, but I get along with Dan.”

Toward the end County Board meetings, board members are allowed to comment, often noting an upcoming holiday, current celebration or congratulating a local school team for a championship win.

At the end of the September 18 meeting, Board Member Mark Revis, R-Plainfield, used the time to bring up bad publicity the board has had, naming the issues fellow Board Member Jackie Traynere, D-Bolingbrook, as a prime example.

County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, a Democrat, had to gavel down Revis several times, noting that such attacks by name violate the County Board’s own rules.

It was not the first time Bertino-Tarrant has had to act as arbiter of the board’s own rules, sometimes leading to raised voices over who can speak and when.

Williams believes that intervention, too, may be the result of a lack of direction by the board.

“Some people think the County Executive is trying to control things. But maybe she’s doing that because we have no direction.

“We need to find a true direction. Everyone on the board wants the best for the residents of Will County. We just have to get there.

“A lot of us will be up for election next year. But at least this will set the foundation.”

Nick Reiher is editor of Farmers Weekly Review.