Amanda Musgrove, program coordinator for environmental health at the Will County Health Department, told the health committee the department has revised the county sewage ordinance and will seek a public hearing next month.

The revised ordinance renames the code from “sewage treatment and disposal” to “on-site wastewater treatment,” updates definitions to align with state guidance, replaces the term “hearing” with “administrative conference” for enforcement, and proposes fee adjustments. “We did update our ordinance,” Musgrove said. “The biggest change that’s most obvious is probably the name change.”

Musgrove said the department reviewed state code, compared neighboring counties’ ordinances and worked with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the county state's attorney to draft the current version. She told the committee the county’s fees have not been updated since 2016 and the department completed a fee analysis with county finance staff. “We actually haven't had a fee update since 2016 so it's been a while,” Musgrove said.

Committee members asked for clarification on stronger language in the draft that increases recipients’ awareness of responsibilities; the health department staff confirmed those clarifications are included and invited follow-up questions before the formal public hearing. The committee moved the item to the full board for a public hearing and recommendation next month.

The department will return with the ordinance on the agenda at the next meeting for the formal public hearing required under county procedure.