Joliet City Council Meeting – February 3, 2026

The Joliet City Council met on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of items including consent agenda approvals, water main improvement contracts, land-use ordinances, a resolution for a drone grant, and public comments on a proposed data center, the death of Raven Littlejohn, and local business bidding concerns. Several votes were not unanimous, and one item was postponed to the next meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the Pre-Council meeting (January 5, 2026) and the City Council meeting (January 6, 2026).
• Approved invoices to be paid.
• Approved Council Memos 87‑26 through 97‑26 and 99‑26 through 100‑26 (all routine contracts and purchases) unanimously (9–0).
• Council Memo 98‑26 (Award of Contract for Peregrine Technologies) was postponed to the February 17, 2026 City Council meeting by a unanimous vote (9–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathy Garthus spoke on agenda item 108‑26 (CenterPoint Intermodal Center Phase Twenty‑Eight), criticizing the negative impacts of CenterPoint development on the community, including increased truck traffic, road damage, and personal hardship.
• Cynthia Schutts and Andrea Baumhardt spoke against a proposed data center, citing concerns about noise pollution, water usage, jobs, and consistency with the city’s comprehensive plan.
• Doris Jones and Robin Anderson (mother of Raven Littlejohn) demanded justice and a re‑investigation into Raven’s death in 2021, alleging it was a murder and criticizing law enforcement response.
• Rick Norman opposed a data center, linking it to AI‑generated child pornography and calling on the council to ban data centers.
• Guillermo also spoke against a data center, warning about the financial instability of AI companies like OpenAI.
• Abraham Garcia (owner of BF Tires) raised concerns about the city’s tire procurement process, alleging that the fleet manager has locked out local vendors and is using an obsolete tire size; he requested a fair bidding opportunity.

Discussion Items

• Prairie Landing Subdivision Amendment (107‑26): Councilman Hug expressed concern that the introduction of single‑story ranch homes (two models) could change the character of the subdivision, which was originally planned for two‑story homes. After discussion with the developer’s representative, the council amended the ordinance on the floor to cap the number of single‑story homes at 40% of the total 120 lots (48 homes). The motion carried 8–0 with Mayor D’Arcy abstaining (he had previously owned the land but no current financial interest, as confirmed by the attorney).
• CenterPoint Intermodal Center Phase Twenty‑Eight (108‑26): Following public comment, the ordinances for preliminary and recording plats were adopted. The vote was 7–1 (Councilwoman Ibarra voting no, Councilman Hug absent).
• Truck Maintenance Facility Special Use Permit (109‑26): Located at 3501 Channahon Road. Councilwoman Quillman expressed concerns about water source, sewer, and environmental runoff. The general contractor explained that water/sewer will be city‑provided and runoff will be contained on site. The motion carried 6–2 (Councilwomen Ibarra and Quillman voting no, Councilman Hug absent).
• Lift Assist Fees Ordinance (110‑26): Ordinance amending Chapter 12 to impose fees for lift assists in accordance with House Bill 2336. Approved 8–0 (Councilman Hug absent).
• Water Main Improvement Contracts (102‑26, 103‑26, 104‑26): Glenwood & West Acres ($6.58M), Larkin (Theodore‑Glenwood) ($9.30M), and engineering services for the 2026 Water Main Replacement and Lead Service Line Replacement Program ($4.57M). All approved unanimously.
• Ambulance Purchase (105‑26): Purchase of four Horton ambulances for $1.57M (budget years 2027–2028) was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved with all items except 98‑26 postponed to February 17, 2026.
• Water Main Contracts: Three contracts totaling $20.45M approved unanimously.
• Prairie Landing PUD Amendment: Approved with an amendment (40% cap on single‑story homes) by an 8–0 vote (one abstention).
• CenterPoint Phase 28: Approved 7–1 (one absent).
• Truck Maintenance Facility Special Use Permit: Approved 6–2 (one absent).
• Lift Assist Fees: Approved 8–0 (one absent).
• Memorandum of Understanding with Will County Sheriff’s Office: Approved 8–0 (one absent).
• Drone Grant: Accepted a $50,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for 14 drones; approved 8–0 (one absent).
• City Manager: Congratulated Detective Kristi Petro as Joliet Exchange Club Officer of the Year.
• Mayor/Council Comments: Councilman Clement requested an IDOT update on I‑80 improvements; Councilwoman Ibarra addressed public comment calling council members “pedophiles” as “disgusting”; Mayor D’Arcy announced the HBO series “American Blue” set in Joliet.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned by a unanimous vote.