Joliet City Council Meeting – February 6, 2026

This meeting of the Joliet City Council, presided over by Mayor Terry Darcy, included a presentation on cultural affairs priorities, numerous consent agenda items, a public hearing on the CAPER report, approval of an annexation agreement, and a lengthy public hearing and council debate on the Joliet Catholic Academy (JCA) preliminary planned unit development (PUD) for an athletic field expansion. The council also heard extensive public comment opposing a proposed data center. The meeting began with an invocation and pledge of allegiance.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda en bloc, which included approval of minutes from December 15 and 16, 2025, and invoices to be paid. Specific consent items included:
  • Renewal of MIMECAST web security and email gateway services ($48,880.21) and Barracuda cloud data protection services (three-year renewal, $239,976).
  • Miscellaneous plumbing and electrical services at 9 Osgood Street ($100,000 and $175,000 respectively).
  • 2026 motor fuel purchase to Al Warren Oil Company.
  • Traffic signal software subscription and materials purchases ($45,493 and $269,690).
  • Well rehabilitation contracts (Well 5D, 29D, 24D) totaling over $650,000.
  • Purchase of water treatment chemicals and supplies (sodium permanganate, bisulfite, polymer, hypochlorite, phosphate, manganese sulfate) totaling over $930,000.
  • Generator maintenance contract for 2026–2028 ($220,565).
  • Professional services agreements for pretreatment program assistance, force main ice pigging, and utilities electrical and plumbing maintenance.
  • Southeast Joliet Sanitary District water source transfer assistance and meter replacement equipment.
  • Change orders for water main improvement projects (Highland Phase 2 - deduction of $191,793; King's Acres Phase 2B - deduction of $286,699; North Downtown - extension of completion date).

Public Comments & Testimony

• In support of JCA stadium:
  • Tom Grotowski (Chair, Joliet Arts Commission) expressed support for the 2026 Cultural Affairs priorities.
  • Krista Connor (Joliet Drama Guild) spoke in favor of the partnership with the city for theater programming at Bicentennial Park.
  • Emanuel Lopez (Joliet City Center Partnership) supported City Square activation, citing past event boosts to downtown business sales (20–30% increases).
  • Tim Broderick (Joliet resident) expressed strong support for the JCA PUD, calling it thoughtful and community-minded.
  • Annette Jalanek (neighbor of JCA) gave 125% support, stating JCA has been an outstanding neighbor.
  • Max Rathbun (JCA student athlete) spoke in favor of the Legacy Fields Project, emphasizing benefits for student athletes and the community.
  • Ricky Guerrero (Joliet Titans coach) thanked JCA for its support of youth sports and expressed hope to play at the new facility.
• In opposition to JCA stadium:
  • Emily Gurrell (resident) opposed the stadium, citing traffic concerns, lack of proper traffic studies, safety issues, and property value impacts. She requested a solution benefiting the entire community.
  • Jory Gurough (resident) opposed the stadium, alleging inadequate traffic studies (done during summer, not during school hours), lack of a JPD traffic plan, and conflict of interest regarding a council member's involvement in the JCA legacy committee.
  • Vivian Brown (neighbor) opposed the stadium, stating it would disrupt a quiet residential community.
• Public comments on proposed data center (not on the agenda but addressed during public comment):
  • Multiple speakers (Sandy Costa, Timothy Antell, Andrea Baumhart, Isabel Gloria, Abby Ballmer, Felix Ortiz, Rick Norman, Larra Williams, Noah Martinez, Abraham Martinez, Porcha Gaygles, and others) spoke against the proposed Hillwood data center, citing concerns about water usage, power grid strain, utility cost increases, environmental pollution, AI-generated child pornography, lack of transparency, and the need for a moratorium or ban. Some speakers requested a moratorium until the city can develop a strong ordinance.
• Other:
  • Dr. Glenda Wright McCullum (Arise nonprofit) spoke in support of a community center at 11 McDonough Street, requesting approval of an ordinance.
  • Jim Rolfe (chair of Comprehensive Plan Community Advisory Committee) encouraged participation in upcoming workshops.

Discussion Items

• Cultural Affairs and Special Events 2026 Priorities: Director Ann Sylvester presented the department's strategic priorities, including activating City Square (with weekly, monthly, and marquee events), enhancing Bicentennial Park programming, strengthening citywide partnerships, improving the event permitting process, and conducting a cultural asset review. Key events include the City Square ribbon cutting (June 26–27), Red Carpet Corridor, Star Wars Day, Kids Fest, RaceFan Rally, and Fourth of July fireworks at Joliet Stadium. The presentation noted that the priorities are flexible to align with the city's comprehensive plan.
• JCA Preliminary PUD (Council Memo 78-26): A lengthy discussion preceded the vote. JCA President Dr. Jeff Budz and Director of Institutional Advancement Ryan Quigley presented the project: a multipurpose stadium, tennis courts, and expanded parking on the former Our Lady of Angels property. The stadium would have a capacity of 5,500 (with standing room for 7,000), and 4–7 home football games per year. Parking would increase by 94% to 933 spaces. A traffic study by KLOA (with counts in June and September) concluded that the roadway system has sufficient capacity with the implementation of management strategies. Sound and lighting studies were presented showing minimal impact. The project's first phase is funded by $12.75 million raised in a quiet phase, with $7.2 million for construction and land and $5.5 million for tuition assistance endowment. Council members expressed concerns about neighborhood impact, traffic, parking, and the use of the stadium for non-school events. Councilman Hug requested a written restriction limiting use to JCA events only, but JCA declined, stating they wanted to be held to the same standard as public schools. Councilwoman Quillman and Councilman Marino voted no, citing neighborhood disruption. The motion passed with a majority, with ayes from Councilmen Cardenas, Clement, Abarra, Mudron, and Quillman (implied) and nays from Hug and Marino. The exact tally was not fully recorded in the transcript.
• Other agenda items:
  • Approval of payment to Heritage Corridor Destinations ($44,595.24) – passed 8-0-1 (Cardenas abstained).
  • Water main improvement contracts: Southeast Joliet Water Meter Replacement ($1,027,250), Cunningham Phase 1 ($4,256,274), Emerald Lawns Phase 2 ($4,817,045), Forest Park Phase 4 ($3,475,515), Fourth and Eastern ($3,601,647), Heggy Park Phase 2 ($5,529,188), Oneida ($2,527,299), Twin Oaks Phase 2 ($2,069,538), Virginia Phase 2 ($4,690,099), Washington Street ($5,127,743), York Avenue ($1,084,084) – all approved unanimously or with one abstention (Moreno abstained on Cunningham).
  • Public hearing and approval of the 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) – no public comments.
  • Public hearing and approval of annexation agreement for 580 Caton Farm Road (daycare and retail development) – approved unanimously.
  • Associated ordinances for annexation, zoning, and PUD for 580 Caton Farm Road – approved.
  • Resolution for intergovernmental agreement with Will County for plumbing inspections (Southeast Joliet Sanitary District) – approved.
  • Resolution for intergovernmental agreement with Southeast Joliet Sanitary District and Will County – approved.
  • Resolution for consulting services agreement with Governmental Solutions Inc. for state advocacy services (lobbying) – approved after discussion on accountability and tracking.
  • Resolution approving collective bargaining agreement with IUOE Local 399 – approved.

Key Outcomes

• The council approved the JCA preliminary PUD (Council Memo 78-26) by a majority vote, despite opposition from some council members and residents. The project will move forward to a final PUD hearing before the Plan Commission.
• All consent agenda items were approved.
• All water main improvement contracts were awarded, totaling tens of millions of dollars for infrastructure upgrades.
• The annexation and development of 580 Caton Farm Road for a daycare and retail was approved.
• A lobbying contract with Governmental Solutions Inc. was approved, with a commitment to regular performance updates.
• The council approved the collective bargaining agreement with IUOE Local 399.
• The public comment period included a strong showing of opposition to the proposed Hillwood data center, but no action was taken as the item was not on the agenda. Several speakers requested a moratorium or ban on data centers.