Will County Gazette

Having recently converted its Land Use Department's building-use permit application system to a digital format, Will County officials said the upgrade will simplify this process for contractors, other applicants for county resources and the general public.

“I am proud of the Land Use and ICT Departments in bringing this process into the 21st century,” Will County Executive Larry Walsh said. “This implementation is bringing county services to the people. The Land Use Department’s basic services will be more accessible, without the need to physically visit a county facility. It is streamlining our internal processes, as well as the public’s processes.”

The new portal will fill requests for permits, inspections and fee payments for such projects as commercial and residential construction. Doors, windows, siding and roof replacement are typical tasks for which technicians can utilize the new cloud-based system.

“These types of applications make up about 50 percent of permits issued each month,” Brian Radner, development review director for Will County’s Land Use Department, said. “Our department issues approximately 2,000 building permits each year. This portal will save time for the applicants by eliminating the need to physically come to our office to apply for a permit.”

Not only is the enhancement well-timed for the Information Age, but its installation also reflects an increasing number of permit requests over the last couple of decades, Building Division Director Mike Smetana said. The previous system was 20 years old. Additionally, the process is now speedier.

“This online portal has reduced the review time,” Smetana said. “Permits can be approved within 24 hours as opposed to a couple of days or weeks.”

Users can go to www.willcountylanduse.com/portal. The portal also brings a new level of transparency for the public, officials said.