County Takes Over “Central Will” Dial-A-Ride in Major Consolidation

Will County Board Meeting | November 2025

Article Summary: The Will County Board approved an intergovernmental agreement to absorb the “Central Will” Dial-A-Ride system into the county-wide “Access Will County” network. The deal involves a five-year transition plan that will eventually shift all funding responsibilities from local townships to the County.

Dial-A-Ride Consolidation Key Points:

• Consolidation: The “Central Will” system (serving Joliet, Homer, Lockport, Troy, and Jackson Townships) will cease operations and merge into “Access Will County” effective January 1, 2026.

• Service Continuity: Existing riders will be automatically enrolled in the county system to ensure no disruption in service.

• Funding Shift: The County will gradually take over funding. In 2026, the townships/City of Joliet pay 100%. By 2031, Will County will pay 100% of the costs.

• Cost Cap: The maximum program cost invoiced to the Central Will partners is capped at $325,000 annually.

JOLIET – A fragmented paratransit system in central Will County is being unified under a single umbrella following a vote by the Will County Board on Thursday.

The Board authorized an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that merges the “Central Will Dial-A-Ride” system into the county’s broader “Access Will County” mobility network. Central Will currently serves residents in the City of Joliet as well as Homer, Joliet, Lockport, Troy, and Jackson Townships.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Central Will system will technically cease operations on January 1, 2026. However, service for residents will continue seamlessly as the County takes over management and oversight.

“It is in the best interests of the citizens… that more efficient and expanded service delivery models be established,” the resolution states.

A key component of the deal is a graduated funding shift designed to relieve local municipalities of the cost burden over time.

• FY 2026: Central Will partners pay 100% of the costs; County pays 0%.

• FY 2027: Central Will pays 80%; County pays 20%.

• FY 2028: Central Will pays 60%; County pays 40%.

• FY 2029: Central Will pays 40%; County pays 60%.

• FY 2030: Central Will pays 20%; County pays 80%.

• FY 2031: Will County assumes 100% of the funding responsibility.

The City of Joliet is responsible for 60% of the “Central Will” portion of the bill, with the remaining 40% split among the townships based on ridership numbers.