Will County Board Committee of the Whole Meeting August 5, 2026

The Will County Board Committee of the Whole convened on August 5, 2026, to discuss significant changes in property tax sale legislation following a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision (Tyler v. Heniban County) that impacted how surplus equity from tax sales is handled. The meeting focused on the county's response to new Illinois state laws requiring that surplus equity from tax sales be returned to former homeowners rather than private tax buyers, which introduces potential financial liabilities for the county. The state's attorney's office recommended that the county assume ownership of distressed properties through the county trustee to better manage auctions and protect homeowner equity, replacing private tax buyers in this role. They also proposed implementing a $20 fee on tax certificate payments to fund a surplus equity fund designed to cover claims from homeowners who lost equity. The discussion included estimates of potential liabilities ranging from $10 to $15 million related to outstanding tax certificates and deeds, and the need for the county to budget reserves accordingly. Representatives from Joseph Meyer Associates, the current county trustee, explained their commission-based contract and auction process. The board considered the financial and operational impacts of these changes, including the loss of revenue from private tax buyers and the administrative responsibilities of managing the surplus equity fund and auctions. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, but the meeting included recommendations for resolutions to authorize the county trustee role and fee collection to support the new legal requirements.