Joliet City Council Meeting - July 21, 2026

The Joliet City Council met on July 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. Councilwoman Suzanna Ibarra was absent. The meeting included routine approvals, a public hearing on a small annexation, multiple financial and intergovernmental agreements, and extensive public comments regarding an ICE operation and other community issues.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of July 6 and July 7, 2026.
• Approved July 2026 invoices.
• Approved purchase of an AX17 Vermeer Chipper ($119,527.78) from Vermeer Illinois.
• Approved professional service agreements with Geotech Inc. and TWIG Technologies (each up to $50,000) for on-call engineering and surveying.
• Approved professional service agreement with Strand Associates for Northpoint Traffic Impact Study review (up to $100,000).
• Awarded contract for 2026 Sidewalk Replacement Program (West of Larkin) to Davis Concrete Construction ($1,106,778.11).
• Approved purchase of fire department equipment from Stryker Medical ($654,217.80) including cots, loaders, stair chairs, and defibrillators.
• Approved biosolids spring lease payments to four farms totaling $140,400.
• Approved purchase of water metering equipment from Core & Main LP ($126,900).
• Awarded contract for Hickory Creek and East Interceptor Multisensor Inspection to Taplin Group ($299,168) and field inspection services to RJN Group ($56,400).
• Awarded professional services agreement for Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation for 2027 Watermain Replacement Program to RJN Group ($52,400).
• Approved Change Order No. 2 for Railroad Street Water Main Improvements (deduction of $417,544.90).
• Approved Change Order No. 1 for Lois Place Lift Station Rehabilitation ($20,958.83) and final payment ($48,540.39).
• Approved Change Order No. 3 for Heggie Park Water Main Improvements (deduction of $272,352.78). All consent items were approved unanimously by 8-0 (Ibarra absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

On Agenda Items:

• Ashley Bester, a Preston Heights resident, expressed concern about Council Memo #385-26 (Emergency Shower Facility Access Agreement with Joliet Park District). She questioned whether residents were included in the planning, what risk assessments were done, and what safety and comfort contingencies are in place. She requested that residents be included in the committee.

Public Hearing (Annexation): No public comments were made.

On Non-Agenda Items (after consent):

• Christopher Parker (President, African American Business Association - ABBA) and Kira Ford thanked the council for CDBG funding support for ABBA’s programs aiding black entrepreneurs.
• Alicia Morales spoke as a private citizen about an ICE operation on July 20, 2026, on Henderson and Virginia Street. She raised concerns about lack of transparency, whether federal agents had judicial warrants, the role of Joliet Police, and whether a vehicle accident was properly reported. She called for leadership on transparency and equal protection.
• Sam Coffey alleged that a Joliet police officer (Scott Fosen) told a person they could not record on a public street, possibly violating the Illinois Trust Act. He claimed Fosen has a Valknut tattoo associated with white supremacists, and requested an investigation, apology, and policy changes.
• Magda Lara, a 60+ year resident, called for unity, transparency, and equal enforcement of law, referencing the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
• Rosa Hernandez described witnessing the ICE operation, being approached aggressively by Joliet Police, and seeing a vehicle accident. She asked police not to assist ICE and to protect the community.
• Sativa criticized the city for installing data centers and flock cameras without public consent, and complained about water infrastructure problems.
• Dr. Jacob Jakobi Collins, a teacher, thanked the council for supporting Preston Heights water issues and asked how private residents can partner with the city.
• Crystal Adams, a Preston Heights resident, thanked the city for progress on water main replacement but requested detailed project timelines, communication plans, and regular updates.
• Betty Washington thanked Councilwoman Ibarra (absent) and Greg Ruddy for securing funds for a drainage project at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
• Amy Navarro, new program director of Latino Economic Development Association (LEDA), introduced herself and thanked the city for CDBG funding.
• Enrique, co-owner of a photo/video studio, praised LEDA’s support for small businesses.
• Andres Bejarano, founder of Latino Media Solutions, testified how LEDA helped start his business.
• Kathy Garthus expressed concerns about ICE, swapped license plates, and personal issues with a vehicle tampered with by city officials, demanding accountability. Council members did not generally respond, but Chief Brown addressed questions about police posture: he stated Joliet Police follow state law, do not participate in immigration enforcement (retainer warrants), but may provide public safety assistance if there is an active federal warrant. He said the July 20 incident involved a federal arrest warrant, and an accident report was filed. He committed to reviewing body camera footage.

Discussion Items

• Public Service Committee Report (Councilman Hug): Outlined that all nine contracts reviewed were routine and recommended for approval. Noted two change orders resulted in deductions (under budget): Railroad Street Water Main ($417,545 deduction) and Heggie Park Water Main ($272,353 deduction).
• Ordinance #372-26 (Budget Amendment for Multi-Modal Center): Councilman Hug clarified the $383,589.39 payment will be fully reimbursed by Pace.
• Ordinance #373-26 (Class Action Settlement): Mayor D'Arcy explained the city is returning $1.7 million collected incorrectly in the Musa case.
• Resolution #384-26 (CDBG Annual Action Plan PY2026): Councilman Hug expressed concerns that CDBG funds have shifted from neighborhood infrastructure to donations to nonprofits. He questioned the distribution, particularly Catholic Charities receiving a large share. CDBG Program Manager Brigette Roehr explained the program’s strict rules, including a 15% cap on service activities, and noted efforts to expand access and pilot an owner-occupied rehab program. The Council discussed the scoring rubric. Hug voted nay; the resolution passed 7-1.
• Resolution #385-26 (Emergency Shower Facility Access): Mayor D'Arcy and Councilman Hug addressed concerns raised by Ashley Bester, emphasizing the agreement is an optional option, not a requirement, and that a second water line to Preston Heights is being installed starting end of July, which should alleviate water disruptions.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments: Andrew J. Neill appointed to Tree Advisory Board; Diane Harris reappointed to Library Board (both unanimous).
• Consent Agenda: All items approved unanimously (8-0).
• Agenda Items:
  • Award of Contract for Minton Road Lift Station Replacement (Austin Tyler Construction, $590,075): Approved 7-0-1 (Moreno abstained).
  • Change Order for Glenwood and West Acres Water Main Improvements (Austin Tyler Construction, $218,240.10): Approved 7-0-1 (Moreno abstained).
• Public Hearing (Annexation A-2-26): Resolution approving annexation agreement for 0.14 acres at Elgin and Leach: Adopted 7-1 (Quillman nay). Subsequent ordinances for annexation and R-3 zoning also adopted 7-1.
• Ordinances: All five ordinances adopted unanimously (8-0) except where noted.
  • Ordinance #371-26 (IDOT $3.5M grant): Unanimous.
  • Ordinance #372-26 (Budget amendment for Multi-Modal Center): Unanimous.
  • Ordinance #373-26 (Class action settlement): Unanimous.
• Resolutions: All 11 resolutions adopted unanimously except #384-26 (CDBG Annual Action Plan) adopted 7-1 (Hug nay).
  • Notable: Resolutions #379-26 and #380-26 (MOUs with Channahon and Elwood Fire Protection Districts) approved.
  • Resolution #385-26 (Emergency shower access IGA with Joliet Park District) approved unanimously.
• Next Steps:
  • Chief Brown will review body camera footage from July 20 ICE operation.
  • Preston Heights community meeting scheduled for July 30 at Nowell Park for water system updates.
  • CDBG program will explore a nonprofit academy and continue owner-occupied rehab pilot.