OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Joliet City Council Meeting - September 16, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, September 16, 2025
BodyJoliet, Illinois
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, September 16, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:52:31

Transcript — Verbatim
3:18

Good evening and welcome to the City of Joliet City Council meeting for Tuesday, September sixteenth, twenty twenty-five at six thirty PM in City Hall Council Chambers, the honorable mayor Terry Darcy presiding.

3:31

We're going to have the invocation by Pastor Jacob Garcia of Crossroads Christian Church at twenty three in Joliet, after which he will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

4:32

And that we are working together, and would that when we work together, it honors you and blesses our community.

5:00

One nation under God and individual liberty and justice for all.

5:43

Is there a motion to approve this request?

5:46

So it has been motion and second to approve the remote attendance of Councilman Hugg.

5:51

Councilman Cartness?

5:52

Aye.

5:53

Councilman Clement?

5:54

Aye.

5:54

Councilman of Arrow?

5:55

Aye.

5:56

Councilman Raynold?

5:57

Councilman Mudron?

5:58

Aye.

5:58

Councilman Cluminan.

6:00

Aye.

6:00

Councilman?

6:01

Aye.

6:01

Mayor Darcy.

6:02

Aye.

6:04

Motion carried.

6:19

We'll begin with roll call.

6:21

Mayor Darcy?

6:22

Here.

6:23

Councilman Cardinals?

6:24

Here.

6:24

Councilman Clemens?

6:25

Here.

6:26

Councilman Hug?

6:28

Here.

6:29

Councilman of Arrow?

6:30

Here.

6:31

Councilman Marino?

6:32

Here.

6:33

Councilman Mudron?

6:34

Here.

6:35

Councilman Quoman?

6:36

Here.

6:37

Councilwoman Burden.

6:38

Here.

6:40

Under Mayor, we have a proclamation recognizing a Constitution Week presented by Councilman Carnes.

7:00

Proclamation.

7:01

Whereas the Constitution of the United States of America, the guardian of our liberties, embodies the principles of limited government and a republic dedicated to the rule by law.

7:10

And whereas September 16, 2025 marks the 258th anniversary of the frame of the of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Constitutional Convention.

7:23

And whereas it is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary and to the patriarch celebrations which will commemorate it.

7:33

And whereas public law 915 guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of the United States of America designating September 17th who took through the 23rd Constitution Week.

7:46

Now therefore, I, Terry Darcy, mayor of the City of Jolia, Illinois, on behalf of the Jolia City Council, do hereby proclaim the week of September 17th through the 23rd Act, Constitution Week.

8:15

Mayor Darcy and esteemed council members.

8:18

Thank you for allowing us to come to you tonight to receive your proclamation to promote Constitution Week September 17th through 23rd.

8:25

My name is Bobby Today.

8:27

I'm a 30-year resident of Joliet, an honorary regent of the Lewis Joliet chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

8:37

The purpose and the mission of the daughters of the American Revolution is to perpetuate the memory and the spirit of the brave men and women who continue who achieved American independence in 1776.

8:50

In Will County, the Louis Joliet chapter has been honoring our revolutionary patriots for 115 years.

8:58

Promoting conversations about our Constitution in classrooms, libraries, and these very halls of city government.

9:05

We don't just talk about the Constitution.

9:08

We bring it to life.

9:10

We teach kids how its words still echo in our daily lives.

9:14

We remind libraries of their role as guardians of truth, and inspire leaders like you to wield its principles with courage.

9:23

As Abraham Lincoln declared at the close of the Civil War, our safety, our liberty depends on preserving the Constitution of the United States, as our fathers made it inviolate.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture████████████████████20%
Procedural███████████████15%
Public Safety██████████10%
Economic Development████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Urban Planning██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Public Art████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Joliet City Council Meeting - September 16, 2025

The Joliet City Council met on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of numerous routine items, a split vote on the City Square Sculpture contract, renewal of insurance plans, and approval of various infrastructure contracts and CDBG funding agreements. The public commented on the sculpture, insurance costs, road safety, and immigration enforcement.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of September 2, 2025.
  • Approved invoices to be paid.
  • Awarded 2025/2026 sidewalk maintenance contract to PT Ferro Construction Co. ($328,787.76)
  • Awarded Phase III engineering for Farrell Rd bridge to Hutchison Engineering ($110,956)
  • Approved Change Order No. 2 for Bridge Street project ($37,670) and Payment Request No. 2 ($332,632.21)
  • Approved Change Order No. 3 for IL 53/Emerald Drive intersection (deduction of $356,896.51) and final payment ($130,927.59)
  • Awarded emergency repairs for Eastside WWTP influent pump to Xylem Water Solutions ($37,709.75)
  • Awarded replacement parts for Eastside WWTP primary tanks to Evoqua Water Technologies ($439,158.58)
  • Awarded SCADA system maintenance contract to Wunderlich-Malec Environmental ($50,000)
  • Approved purchase of water metering equipment from Core & Main ($204,700)
  • Approved Change Order No. 1 for Eastside WWTP SCADA project to M J Electric ($108,433.02)
  • Approved Change Order No. 2 for Broadway/Center/Western water main project (deduction of $1,273,767.69) and final payment ($923,887.26)
  • All consent items passed unanimously (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • On the City Square Sculpture (Item 498-25): Lockport Mayor Steven Streit expressed support, stating the sculpture "sends a really clear message that you believe in your downtown" and is "an essential piece of economic development." Tom Grotowski, Chair of the Joliet Arts Commission, detailed the transparent selection process involving over 3,000 public votes. John Simpson, Deborah Summers, Erick Dorris, Vicki Sanchez (Joliet City Center Partnership), Joe Matise, and an email from the artist's studio also spoke in favor. John Sheridan spoke in support but linked it to concerns about the city's insurance costs. John Hertko spoke against, advocating for honoring Joliet historical figures instead. Seth (a Marine veteran) criticized the sculpture's messaging, suggesting a monument to a Joliet champion would better unify the community. Kathy Garthus opposed the sculpture and also spoke against the Laraway Road project.
  • On Insurance (Items 495-25, 496-25): John Sheridan and another speaker raised concerns about rising health insurance costs, with Sheridan stating the "unfunded liability could reach a billion dollars" and calling the current plan "insanity."
  • On Laraway Road Project (Item 497-25): Kathy Garthus argued taxpayers should not pay for improvements caused by CenterPoint intermodal and Union Pacific, opposing the $2.87 million engineering contract.
  • On Public Safety Institute (Item 507-25): Dr. Clyne Namuo, President of Joliet Junior College, and Kelly Rohder-Tonelli spoke in support, emphasizing the partnership's potential to create a "gold standard" for public safety training.
  • On Road Safety: Joe Jenkins repeatedly urged action on Millsdale Road, citing dangerous driving and a recent fatality.
  • On Immigration: Cesar Guerrero, Joliet Township Supervisor, read a statement regarding a federal immigration enforcement incident near City Hall, calling on the council to reaffirm commitment to residents' constitutional rights.
  • Other: Diana Matter requested a 13-foot concrete fence and cul-de-sac near Love's Truck Stop. Trista Brown spoke about the Attorney General's report on police and a community meeting. Doug Casper promoted International Day of Peace. Jim Roolf encouraged participation in the Comprehensive Plan workshop.

Discussion Items

  • City Square Sculpture (Item 498-25): Director of Community Development Dustin Anderson answered council questions about costs, maintenance, and the selection process. Council members debated the project. Councilwoman Jan Hallums Quillman expressed concerns about timing given infrastructure needs and the selection process, noting residents felt excluded from finalist selection. Councilman Joe Clement stated he is "standing here committed to the mayor and this council" but opposed the sculpture, preferring a steelman statue or US Steel limestone. Councilman Pat Mudron spoke in support, calling it a step toward more art. Councilman Cesar Cardenas supported it as a complement to economic development. Councilman Juan Moreno opposed, saying it should be funded through private donations. Councilman Larry Hug echoed that it would be better as a public-private partnership. Mayor Terry D'Arcy endorsed the project, stating "cultural investments complement infrastructure." The sculpture, "Dome of Unity" by Sijia Chen Studio, includes community input for cutout designs.
  • Insurance Renewals (Items 495-25, 496-25): Finance Committee Chair Councilman Pat Mudron reported a nearly 16% increase in property/liability/workers comp premiums ($300,000 increase). For group health, the city's cost per employee increased to $2.91 per hour from a credit of $0.50. Mayor D'Arcy noted the current health plan dates from 2016 and is "not tenable," but said union leaders have agreed to renegotiate. Both renewals were approved unanimously.
  • Laraway Road Grade Separation (Item 497-25): Approved unanimously after brief discussion.
  • Public Safety Institute (Item 507-25): Councilman Hug clarified this is a feasibility study from a prior discussion. Mayor D'Arcy highlighted regional benefits. Approved unanimously.
  • CDBG Funding (Items 509-519): Councilwoman Ibarra thanked CDBG Program Manager Jackie Lozada for her work. All CDBG resolutions approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved (5-4) Award of contract for City Square Sculpture to Sijia Chen Studio for up to $197,000. Ayes: Mayor D'Arcy, Councilwomen Ibarra and Reardon, Councilmen Cardenas and Mudron. Nays: Councilmen Clement, Hug, Moreno, and Councilwoman Quillman.
  • Approved (unanimous) Property, Liability, Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal.
  • Approved (unanimous) Group Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Renewal for active employees.
  • Approved (unanimous) Phase I Engineering for Laraway Road Grade Separation to Crawford, Murphy & Tilly for $2,869,964.
  • Approved (unanimous) Intergovernmental Agreement with Joliet Junior College for Public Safety Institute Feasibility Study.
  • Approved (unanimous) All CDBG funding and subrecipient agreements for PY2025, totaling approximately $635,956 to nine organizations.
  • Approved (unanimous) Multiple resolutions for road closures, motor fuel tax appropriations, lease modifications, collective bargaining agreement with FOP, and sale of police dog to family of K-9 Officer Daniel Willis.
  • Appointed Jane McGrath Schmig to Zoning Board of Appeals.
  • Appointed Councilman Juan Moreno as Mayor Pro Tem for October 1 – December 31, 2025.
  • Adjourned after council comments.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the City of Joliet City Council meeting for Tuesday, September sixteenth, twenty twenty-five at six thirty PM in City Hall Council Chambers, the honorable mayor Terry Darcy presiding. We're going to have the invocation by Pastor Jacob Garcia of Crossroads Christian Church at twenty three in Joliet, after which he will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. And that we are working together, and would that when we work together, it honors you and blesses our community. One nation under God and individual liberty and justice for all. Is there a motion to approve this request? So it has been motion and second to approve the remote attendance of Councilman Hugg. Councilman Cartness? Aye. Councilman Clement? Aye. Councilman of Arrow? Aye. Councilman Raynold? Councilman Mudron? Aye. Councilman Cluminan. Aye. Councilman? Aye. Mayor Darcy. Aye. Motion carried. We'll begin with roll call. Mayor Darcy? Here. Councilman Cardinals? Here. Councilman Clemens? Here. Councilman Hug? Here. Councilman of Arrow? Here. Councilman Marino? Here. Councilman Mudron? Here. Councilman Quoman? Here. Councilwoman Burden. Here. Under Mayor, we have a proclamation recognizing a Constitution Week presented by Councilman Carnes. Proclamation. Whereas the Constitution of the United States of America, the guardian of our liberties, embodies the principles of limited government and a republic dedicated to the rule by law. And whereas September 16, 2025 marks the 258th anniversary of the frame of the of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Constitutional Convention. And whereas it is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary and to the patriarch celebrations which will commemorate it. And whereas public law 915 guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of the United States of America designating September 17th who took through the 23rd Constitution Week. Now therefore, I, Terry Darcy, mayor of the City of Jolia, Illinois, on behalf of the Jolia City Council, do hereby proclaim the week of September 17th through the 23rd Act, Constitution Week. Mayor Darcy and esteemed council members. Thank you for allowing us to come to you tonight to receive your proclamation to promote Constitution Week September 17th through 23rd.

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