The Joliet City Council met on July 7, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Kurt Hoover of Messiah Lutheran Church and the Pledge of Allegiance. The council addressed a range of items including proclamations, consent agenda approvals, ordinances for development projects, resolutions for grants and street designations, and public comments on water infrastructure issues in the Preston Heights area.
Mayor Terry Darcy presiding. We will be led in an invocation by Pastor Kurt Hoover from the Messiah Lutheran Messiah Lutheran Church at 40 Hobolt Road, after which he'll lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. The Lord be with you. And also let us pray. So we thank you for the public servants here. We thank you for all those that are represented. We pray for the safety of our first responders, our public workers, all those that provide water, electricity, safe roads, storm recovery. We pray for safety, and we give thanks for all that uh the city does, and not just the city, but the faces, the people that make that city work. We pray for your presence in this meeting. We pray that we might be present, that we might hear and listen to each other, and do the work that you've already planned before us. In Jesus' name. Amen. We pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We'll begin with roll call. Mayor Darcy. Here. Councilman Cardinals. Here. Councilman Clement. Here. Councilman Hugg did let me know he's going to be late this evening. Councilwoman of Barra. Here. Councilman Marino. Here. Councilman Mudron. Here. Councilwoman Queman? Here. Councilwoman Rudin. Here. Under Mayor, we have a proclamation for the Slovenian Union of America presented by Councilwoman Cuman. I want you to stand and watch it at Facebook, because we're going to be on TV, so we're going to get you on TV. Two more over here, okay. All right. Here we go. Proclamation. Whereas the National Board of Directors and the members of the Slovenian Union of America are proud to announce the 100th anniversary of their union and the 50th anniversary of their Joliet Home Office in 2026. A special centennial convention is scheduled for July 30th, 31st, and August 1st in Tower, Minnesota, and in Chisholm, Minnesota. Whereas the Slovenian Union of America, formerly known as the Slovenian Women's Union of America, was founded on December 19th, 1926 in Chicago by Slovenian immigrant Marie Cern Chrisland to help Slovenian immigrant women adjust to America to preserve and promote their beloved Slovenian heritage and to help them become American citizens. For most of its existence, the Union offered burial insurance to its members and branches throughout America. The Slovenian Union of America has been an Illinois 501 C3 nonprofit since 2011, dedicated to educating its members and the public about the history of Slovenians and Slovenian Americans and their contributions to America. Its home office at 431 North Chicago Street is located in the 1910 Stonish building and includes a Slovenian Heritage Museum and Library. It is across the street from the Slovenian-founded St. Joseph Church, whose parish is celebrating its 135th anniversary in 2026. Also known as Arjovek was her maiden name, affectionately known as the mayor of North Chicago Street, was its office manager for some 37 years, and was a lifelong Joliet resident and member of the Union's Local Branch 20, Joliet. Members of the Slovenian Union of American Joliet and across America are hardworking citizens who have enriched American society with their religious faith, patriotism, and love of their Slovenian history and customs. They continue to serve in all areas of life in Joliet and across America. They respectfully ask for recognition for the 100th anniversary of the Slovenian Union of America and the 50th anniversary of their Joliet Home Office.