Will County Board Faces Challenges in Disbursing Immigration Services Funding

Frustration is mounting within the Will County Board due to a delay in disbursing funds for an immigration services group. Board member Destinee Ortiz highlighted that funding approved for Illinois Workers in Action has not yet been released. Ortiz pointed out that last November, the board voted 12-10 to allocate $200,000 to this group from cannabis tax revenue.

Illinois Workers in Action, a nonprofit organization, operates in Chicago, Bolingbrook, and Aurora, providing services to the Will County area. The group’s organizers had presented to both Republican and Democratic caucuses before the board approved the allocation. Ortiz, who was part of reviewing funding proposals, collaborated with Republican Vince Logan to present recommendations to the full County Board.

The delay has persisted for nearly 10 months. Ortiz questioned the discretion of the county executive’s office in implementing board-approved appropriations. County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant’s office claims the proposal lacked sufficient documentation for funding. Spokesman Mike Theodore said funds require specific purposes with reimbursement after receipt verification to ensure adherence to original intents.

Theodore mentioned that the cannabis funding approval was rushed during a contentious budget session and was based on unclear directions. The executive office is awaiting clear guidance from board leadership on how to proceed.

Giselle Rodriguez, executive director of Illinois Workers in Action, expressed the organization’s frustration over the delay. Since its incorporation in 2021, the organization has served nearly 31,000 people, focusing on labor justice, immigration, public health, and advocacy. They provide services such as free immigration consultations, ‘know your rights’ training, and community support initiatives.

Rodriguez emphasized the growing need for funding to support the community. The organization is willing to comply with the county’s funding documentation requirements. Ortiz voiced concern about resolving the fiscal year 2026 allocations amid the ongoing fiscal year 2027 budget discussions.

State Sen. Rachel Ventura indicated that community members have expressed concerns over the unreleased funds, stressing the county’s legal obligation to execute board-approved appropriations. Republican leader Jim Richmond echoed similar concerns about the board’s actions not being implemented by the executive office.

To address these issues, the County Board created an ad hoc cannabis revenue review committee to establish guidelines for revenue allocation. Richmond suggested that the committee could provide transparency and structure for the cannabis fund distribution. Historically, Will County has used cannabis funds for public health and safety, though other counties may integrate them into general funds.

In November, the board also allocated funds to various programs, including $335,000 for the Children’s Advocacy Center and $440,000 for housing stabilization. Ortiz noted that funds for the clerk’s office election equipment, which were also approved, have not been disbursed. The board is working to ensure these allocations are properly executed.