Joliet City Council Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Joliet City Council met on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, multiple unanimous consent items, approval of five liquor licenses, several ordinances and resolutions (including a split vote on the Joliet Junior College student housing PUD amendment), a police dog sale resolution, committee reports, and public comments on both agenda and non-agenda items.

Proclamation

• Mayor Terry D'Arcy proclaimed April 25, 2026, as Arbor Day in Joliet. Councilwoman Jan Hallums Quillman read the proclamation and presented it to Rita Renwick, who spoke about the Tree City USA program (35th consecutive year), a parkway tree survey funded partly by an Inflation Reduction Act grant, and recognized Arbor Day poster contest winners: Ruby Giardina (1st), Dalia Ramirez Rios (2nd), Julissa Terrazas (3rd), and Olivia Guardiola (3rd).

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes from the Pre-Council Meeting (April 6, 2026) and City Council Meeting (April 7, 2026).
• Invoices: Approved the invoices to be paid report.
• Vehicle Lift Equipment (Memo 210-26): Awarded contract to NAPA Auto Parts for vehicle lift equipment purchase and installation, not to exceed $550,000.00.
• Floor Resurfacing (Memo 211-26): Awarded contract to Integrity Concrete Coatings for 9 Osgood Street floor resurfacing, $84,913.20.
• Farrell Road Bridge Engineering Amendment (Memo 212-26): Approved Amendment No. 3 to Hutchison Engineering, Inc. for Phase II engineering services, $15,000.00.
• Body Armor Purchase (Memo 213-26): Approved purchase of body armor/vests for SOS from First Spear, $54,616.25.
• Fire Station 1 Cabinets (Memo 214-26): Approved purchase and installation of cabinets for Fire Station 1, total $67,644.00 (Riverton Cabinet Company $35,194.00; Heintz Construction Inc. $32,450.00).
• Joliet Slammers Fire Suppression Pipe (Memo 215-26): Awarded professional services, purchase, and installation to AMS Industries, Inc., $186,770.00.
• Grass Cutting on Vacant Lots (Memo 216-26): Awarded contracts to Summit Lawncare ($38,970.00) and Culpepper Lawnworks ($17,535.00).
• All consent items were approved unanimously (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony (Agenda Items)

• Yolanda Farmer, Executive Vice President of Joliet Junior College, spoke in support of the amendment to the JJC Student Housing PUD (Memo 225-26). She noted 45 JJC students currently live in the complex and that the college has a constructive relationship with the current and future owners.
• James Budzinski, Chairman of the JJC Board of Trustees, spoke in support of the amendment, stating the board was aware and supportive, and that an access easement maintenance agreement was approved with the purchaser.
• Andrew Scott, attorney representing the contract purchaser Midwest REO5 LLC, spoke in support, clarifying that the property will not be converted to wholly public housing and that they will continue to welcome student tenants while broadening the tenant pool for financial stability.

Appointments

• Joliet Public Library Board: Naurice Moffett was appointed to replace Amita Ostrom, approved unanimously (9-0).

Resolution Reordered for Vote

• Sale of Police Dog (Memo 232-26): Approved resolution authorizing the sale of a police dog (K-9 Nevil) to Officer Adam Stapleton. Officer Stapleton spoke about his service and the dog's role. Vote: unanimous (9-0).

Council Committee Reports

• Finance Committee (Councilman Mudron): Approved a $1,000,000 grant from Will County Community Mental Health Board for a no-cost counseling program, a 2026 budget amendment for 2025 projects, and noted video gaming sales and utility taxes running slightly ahead of budget while parking revenues are trending as expected. Reported Rialto Square Theatre had over 20,000 visitors in the first quarter (16 events, 4 weddings, 2 movies).
• Legislative Committee (Councilwoman Quillman): Discussed the ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article II to authorize pre-separation recruitment and temporary appointments. Interim Corporation Counsel Todd Lenzie explained that recruitment can start six months before a vacancy but a new hire can only be on the payroll for 90 days before the vacancy occurs; temporary appointments are also allowed.
• Public Assets Committee (Councilwoman Ibarra): Approved grass cutting contracts (159 vacant lots, 15 cuts from May 1 to October 1), fire suppression pipe replacement at Slammers Stadium (year 2 of 3), received updates on the Big House ball game at the Joliet Prison (April 30), and Miracle League (120 kids expected). Recognized retiring staff member Brent Fraser.
• Public Service Committee (Councilman Hug): Approved vehicle lift equipment purchase ($550,000), floor resurfacing ($84,913.20), engineering amendment for Farrell Road bridge ($15,000), MFT tax appropriation, and acceptance of a permanent easement for County Line Road improvements (sidewalk alignment).

Discussion Items

• Liquor Licenses (all approved unanimously):

  • Memo 218-26: Class B and M license at 227 N. Gougar Road (Barber Oberwortmann Horticultural Center-Venue Ninety-Eight).
  • Memo 219-26: Class E license at 81 N. Chicago Street (Internode Greenery & Home).
  • Memo 220-26: Class B license at 3147 W. Jefferson Street (The Prime House).
  • Memo 221-26: Class E license at 101 McDonald Avenue (Wingate by Wyndham Joliet).
  • Memo 222-26: Class B license at 16329 S. Boulevard Place (LongHorn Steakhouse).

• Ordinances:

  • Neustoneshire Phase Two PUD (Memo 224-26): Adopted unanimously (9-0). Councilman Hug spoke in support, noting that developing farm fields will mitigate flooding.
  • JJC Student Housing PUD Amendment (Memo 225-26): Adopted 6-3 (Ayes: D'Arcy, Cardenas, Clement, Ibarra, Mudron, Reardon; Nays: Hug, Moreno, Quillman). Councilman Clement noted value of pre-council discussion; Councilwoman Ibarra said public testimony made a difference in her vote.
  • $1,000,000 Mental Health Grant (Memo 226-26): Adopted unanimously (9-0) for no-cost counseling program, budget amendment, and creation of an additional social worker position.
  • 2026 Budget Amendment (Memo 227-26): Adopted unanimously (9-0). Councilman Hug clarified it carries forward already-funded 2025 projects, not new expenditures.
  • Pre-Separation Recruitment & Temporary Appointments (Memo 228-26): Adopted 7-2 (Ayes: D'Arcy, Cardenas, Clement, Moreno, Mudron, Quillman, Reardon; Nays: Hug, Ibarra).

• Resolutions:

  • Farrell Road Bridge MFT Funds (Memo 230-26): Adopted unanimously (9-0).
  • County Line Road Easement (Memo 231-26): Adopted unanimously (9-0).

City Manager Report

• City Manager Beth Beatty recognized Detectives Petro and Espinosa for apprehending a suspect in a minor-related case, noted filming of HBO's "American Blue" in Joliet (with road closures), acknowledged retirements of Brent Fraser, Sylvia Esquivel, and Joyce Riggs, congratulated Joliet Central High School art teacher Nyssa Grzyb for receiving the Crystal Apple Award, and highlighted community events: Dancing with Our Local Stars fundraiser, Zonta Club dinner, Blackhawks Night for staff.

Public Comments (Non-Agenda Items)

• Mary Beth Gannon (Joliet resident): Raised concerns about a recent change to the city's FOIA request website that appears to require identifying information. She argued that anonymous FOIA requests are allowed under Illinois law and asked the city to restore the anonymous option. Council members asked for an explanation; city manager said she would look into it and noted the city still accepts anonymous inquiries.
• Diane Matter (Joliet resident): Detailed numerous complaints about the Love's Truck Stop construction near her home, including permit issues, unsafe road conditions on New Lenox Road and Oakview Avenue, a 500-gallon flammable tank near the road, lack of notice to residents, mail and garbage service disruptions, and property damage concerns. She asked the city to prioritize resident safety.
• Kathy Garthus (Joliet resident): Congratulated Bob Okon, commented on Arbor Day (noting tree removal for industrial development), and raised safety concerns about semi-truck drivers (following distances, speeds, recent fatal accidents) and urged stricter enforcement.

Mayor and Council Comments

• Council members thanked police and fire departments for recent rescues, congratulated retiring staff and award recipients (Bob Okon, Joette Villa as Telecommunicator of the Year, Detective DJ Green), highlighted new businesses (Uni Uni Boba, Banks Bridal Suite), upcoming events (City Center Square activation, Slammers games), and discussed the need for notification of employee retirements. Councilwoman Ibarra and Councilman Hug requested clarification on the FOIA website change.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar, Liquor Licenses, and most ordinances/resolutions approved unanimously.
• JJC Student Housing PUD Amendment (Ordinance 18830) passed 6-3.
• Pre-Separation Recruitment Ordinance (Ordinance 18833) passed 7-2.
• FOIA website change to be investigated by city staff.
• Multiple upcoming events announced: Arbor Day tree planting (April 25), Big House ball game (April 30), Sounds on 66, Rialto family event, and others.