State rep plans meetings with Will County

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State Rep. Tom Cross

Updated: March 11, 2012 8:38AM

Will County residents who would like a local issue addressed in Springfield might find this a good time to call their legislators.

State Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego) plans to meet regularly with county officials to go over local issues and ensure that important topics don’t fall through the cracks. The first meeting is scheduled for later this month.

The decision by state Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D-Joliet) to not seek another term prompted Cross, the House minority leader, to set up a series of meetings.

“I wanted to start meeting once a quarter, maybe more, just to make sure we’re on top of all the issues,” Cross said.

“The communication’s always been fine. I just think there are some big issues out there,” he said, mentioning the proposed South Suburban Airport near Peotone and the intermodal transportation facility. “This way, we can be a little ahead of the curve.”

Cross ran the idea by Will County Executive Larry Walsh and county board chairman Jim Moustis, then sent letters inviting every legislator in Will County to meet.

Walsh supported the idea, said Nick Palmer, his chief of staff.

“We welcome the opportunity to work with all our Will County legislators,” Palmer said. “I think this is a more structured way of going about it.”

Palmer also cited the airport as a major issue facing the county, which is battling the Abraham Lincoln National Airport Commission for control of the proposed project.

“The budget’s always going to be an issue for the state and how that impacts Will County,” Palmer said. “Anything that’s going to take away authority from the county or municipalities or impose unfunded mandates, we’re going to oppose.”