The City Council met on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting began with a recognition of retiring Police Chief William Evans, followed by a presentation on historic preservation, the presentation of three historic preservation awards, appointments to boards and commissions, committee reports, a consent agenda, several ordinances and resolutions, public comments on multiple agenda and non-agenda items, and council comments. Notable actions included split votes on two self-storage facility approvals, the passage of a tattoo studio permit, and the removal of a business district ordinance from the agenda.
Chief Evans addressed the council, reflecting on his four years of service, noting a reduction in crime rates and the provision of state-of-the-art technology to officers. Joliet Junior College President Dr. Kline Namuo and Police Chief Brandon Campbell offered remarks. Council members expressed gratitude for his professionalism, responsiveness, and community engagement. The City Manager and Mayor also thanked him for his dedication.
Planning Director Jayne Bernhard presented the annual update on historic preservation. Key initiatives included: the Joliet Area African American Historic Context Study (funded by a 2024 CLG grant, with a 2025 CLG grant for oral histories), the Interstate 80 Des Plaines River Bridge Community Plan Project (oral history collection), the Joliet Comprehensive Plan (Arts, Culture and Heritage Workshop held January 21, 2026, with over 50 attendees), Route 66 Centennial planning, and the May "Places Matter" Facebook campaign. The city has 11 designated historic properties, 9 buildings on the National Register, and 4 National Register Historic Districts.
All consent agenda items (Council Memos 258-26 through 268-26) were approved unanimously (9-0):
All appointments approved unanimously (9-0): Robert D. Casey to Historic Preservation Commission; Elaine Bottomley, Katie Gulas, Kelly Rohder-Tonelli, and Gail Gawlik reappointed to Joliet Public Library Board; John Jamontas reappointed to Committee on Citizens with Disabilities; Karen Fonte and Jim Testin reappointed to Tree Advisory Board.
Good evening, everybody. This is the City of Joliet Council meeting with Mayor Terry Darcy presiding. And I am Jan Klman, Mayor Pro Tem, Councilman Cesar Cardenas, Councilman Joe Clement, Councilman Larry Hugg, Councilwoman Susan Ibera, Councilman Juan Moreno, Councilman Pat Mudron, and Councilman Sherry Reardon, the City Manager Beth Batty, and our City Clerk Lauren O'Hara and a cast of others. So tonight, this is Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and we're going to have the invocation today by Father Chris Grove, the chaplain for the City of Joliet fire and police departments. Let us pray. Almighty God, you generously bestow your gifts in abundance, and we are most grateful for all that you continue to do for us and for the many favors you grant. We gather tonight in your name, enlighten the members of our council so that everything they do may begin with your inspiration and wisdom. God of wisdom and justice. Through you all authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed. Guide and support our mayor, the members of our city council, our city manager, and our city staff. Give them the strength to know your will so that all decisions may be done with a desire to please you. As we prepare to honor the memory of the members of our Will County law enforcement community who have died in the line of duty, and also for the many men and women of our military who have laid down their lives to preserve our precious freedom, give comfort and solace to their families. Keep in your care all who keep us safe in our cities, within our nation, and around the world each day. Watch over them and protect them with your care. We likewise commend to your care all the residents of our city, that they too may be blessed and sanctified, so that together we may work for the betterment of our community and enjoy the many blessings promised to those who remain faithful to you. For we pray to you our one Lord and God now and forever. Amen. I pledge your leaders to the night. One nation under God, an indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Okay. We'll begin with roll call. Mayor Darcy. Here. Councilman Cardinus? Here. Councilman Clement? Here. Councilman Hug? Here. Councilwoman of Barrow? Here. Councilman Moreno? Here. Councilman Mudron? Here. Councilwoman Quoman? Here. Councilman Ridden. Here. If the council will allow, I'd like to go a little out of order today and bring up our Chief of Police, Chief Evans. This will be his last City Council meeting here with us in Joliet. Good evening, members of the Council, Mayor Darcy, City Manager Beatty, and all of our city leaders. As my time here at the City of Joliet has come to a close, I wanted to express formally my deepest appreciation for the support you have all shown the Joliet Police Department and specifically me as your chief of police. When I arrived here over four years ago, I made two promises to you. I told you that I would put my heart and soul into this position, and the second was that I would leave the place better than I found it. I hope, in your eyes, that I've succeeded in accomplishing these goals. At times my job was tough. But in the words of Teddy Roosevelt, nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, and difficulty. But nevertheless, over the last four years, we've accomplished a great deal, including lowering the crime rate, succeeding and successfully addressing a handful of high profile events, and providing the rank and file officers with state of the art technology and viable essential law enforcement equipment.