Elgin City Council Committee of the Whole and Regular Meeting - October 22, 2025

The Elgin City Council met on October 22, 2025 for a Committee of the Whole and Regular Council meeting. The agenda included presentations on the Fox River dam removal study and the city's organizational culture and DEI efforts, as well as items on DACA firefighter hiring, a proposed ordinance to restrict ICE enforcement on city property, and several routine administrative matters. Ten members of the public spoke, most urging the council to take action to protect immigrant residents.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the minutes from the October 8, 2025 meeting was approved unanimously (9-0).
• Approval of the consent agenda for the regular meeting passed 9-0.
• Miscellaneous business was approved 9-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gary Swick, Elgin resident and Friends of the Fox River representative, expressed support for the dam removal study and reliance on science, noting the need for more data.
• Leslie Porter urged the council to take decisive action on DACA and know-your-rights items, describing federal ICE actions as "harassing, harming, and abducting" neighbors and friends, and pleaded for moral clarity and courage.
• Sherry Liske called for a ban on DHS using city property for "unlawful abductions" and urged leadership.
• Jenny, a registered nurse, requested ICE-free zones from a mental health perspective, stating residents are avoiding medical appointments due to fear.
• Cheryl Brimbach Hafford spoke in favor of items C and H (DACA hiring and city property restriction) and asked whether DACA eligibility could expand beyond firefighters and why only "certain" city-owned properties were proposed.
• Unnamed speaker described ICE tactics as "disappearing individuals" and urged the council to restrict ICE access on city property.
• Malachi Stanger, an ECC student, recounted a recent ICE detention at ECC and urged the council to ban ICE from city property, citing Carpentersville's example.
• Unnamed speaker shared that they are from the Latino community, described watching ICE agents "kidnapping" neighbors, and urged protections.
• Tia Cornelius, pastor at First Presbyterian Church, spoke as an immigrant and argued that the issue is moral and theological, imploring the council to stop ICE from using public spaces.
• Maria Elena Nunes expressed disappointment that the city had not acted sooner, called for protections for DACA recipients and the broader community, and stated that no one should live in fear.
• Angel Martinez reported an Elgin police officer (Jason Lentz) who posted on social media standing with ICE and identifying locations frequented by Hispanics, calling this a violation of trust and urging accountability.
• Marlon Roman (Marlene Romero Garcia), an immigration attorney and Elgin resident, stressed the importance of education on rights, and encouraged the council to focus ICE-free zone restrictions on locations where people access essential services (food pantries, schools).
• Additional public speakers during the regular meeting addressed the Elgin Valley Foxtrot and thanked the city for its support; no opposition was voiced.

Discussion Items

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fox River Connectivity Study – Kimball Street Dam

  • Water Director Nora Bertram introduced University of Illinois consultants Andrew Waratuk and Dr. Marcelo Garcia, along with Jeff Freeman of EEI, who presented findings from the 2D numerical model evaluating dam removal impacts on the city's water intake.
  • The model indicated that for most conditions, water levels at the intake remain above the critical operational elevation (703 ft), but extreme erosion could lower them. Proposed mitigation includes spur dikes in the narrows and flow training dikes near the intake.
  • Amendment Two to the existing contract would fund extended modeling (upstream to Carpentersville), a physical model study, computational fluid dynamics on the intake, and cost estimates for instream work and relocating water mains/sewers.
  • Councilmembers asked about the interaction with Tyler Creek sediment, the condition of the Slate Avenue plant walls, and the potential for sediment deposition downstream of the dam. Councilmember Stefan noted the need to study downstream impacts on downtown Elgin.
  • Outcome: The council approved Amendment Two (9-0).

• InQuest Consulting – Organizational Culture and DEI Update

  • Trisha Dupelka and Perry Carin presented progress since 2023: over 800 employees trained, creation of a DEI strategy, leadership team, and cultural competency sessions. Key accomplishments included foundational education, an internal recognition calendar, and a compensation study.
  • The upcoming phase focuses on hiring a Director of Organizational Culture and Engagement (currently posted), data-driven initiatives, and enhancing external community engagement. The council was asked to support the director position, role model cultural competencies, and remain committed.
  • Councilmember Alfaro raised the need for external work (purchasing practices, community outreach), and Councilmember Powell asked about incorporating DEI into performance evaluations. City Manager indicated the new director will work with HR on that.
  • Outcome: The agreement with InQuest was approved 9-0.

• DACA Firefighter Hiring Eligibility

  • Councilmembers Ortiz and Good proposed an ordinance amending the city code to allow DACA recipients to be hired as firefighters, mirroring existing eligibility for police officers. Illinois law currently allows DACA officers but not firefighters.
  • Fire Chief confirmed full support, noting the fire department is already focusing on diversity and paramedic recruitment. Councilmember Stefan clarified that DACA recipients can already apply for all other city jobs; this closes the remaining gap.
  • Councilmember Dixon asked whether Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders could be included; corporation counsel will investigate and may bring an amendment at the next meeting.
  • Outcome: Approved 9-0.

• Proposed Ordinance Regulating Civil Immigration Enforcement on City Property (Item H)

  • Councilmembers Powell and Stefan opened discussion on restricting ICE from using city-owned property (parking lots, buildings, garages) for staging, assembly, or enforcement activities. Copies of ordinances/resolutions from Chicago, Evanston, and Carpentersville were shared.
  • Councilmember Powell noted the limitations: it only applies to city property, not other governmental units or private property. She advocated for an enforceable ordinance and signage for private property owners.
  • Councilmember Good urged thoughtful action and communication to avoid providing a false sense of security.
  • Councilmember Ortiz expressed anxiety, noting that ICE will likely ignore such an ordinance, and stressed the need for community education and enforcement mechanisms.
  • Corporation counsel and Police Chief Lally provided input: enforcement is problematic under the Trust Act; officers cannot impede lawful federal investigations and could face arrest. The village manager (not police) is often designated for enforcement. Chief Lally acknowledged the community sentiment but advised against placing officers in that position.
  • The council discussed the difference between an ordinance (enforceable) and a resolution (statement). Corporation counsel was directed to prepare options, including an ordinance, for the next meeting, with input from police and state's attorney.
  • Outcome: Motion to direct corporation counsel to bring back options (ordinance or resolution) passed 9-0.

Key Outcomes

• Dam Study: Amendment Two approved 9-0; council requested consideration of downstream sediment impacts to National Street.
• DACA Firefighter: Ordinance approved 9-0; staff to explore including TPS holders.
• ICE-Free Zones: Council directed corporation counsel to draft an ordinance (or resolution) restricting ICE use of city property, with enforcement by non-police designee; to be returned at next meeting.
• Organizational Culture: InQuest agreement approved 9-0; director position posted.
• Other Business: Bid awards for lead service line replacement ($1,015,840 to Blue Water Constructions LLC), Meyer Park cricket pitch ($58,370 to E. Hoffman Inc.), and cantilever gate renovation ($97,393 to Robe Inc.) all approved 9-0. The City Council meeting schedule for 2026 was also approved.
• The council adjourned at approximately 7:25 PM.