Joliet City Council Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Joliet City Council met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Jacob Garcia of Crossroads Christian Church (noting a discrepancy from the agenda which listed Pastor Allen of Greater Bible Way Apostolic Temple). The council approved a consent agenda, debated several ordinances and resolutions, heard from the public on a range of issues, and received updates from the city manager.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the minutes of the Pre-Council Meeting (August 3, 2026) and the City Council Meeting (August 4, 2026).
• Invoices to be Paid: Approved the invoices report.
• Council Memo 407-26: Approved purchase of one Knapheide specialty body for the Fire Department Technical Rescue Team for $77,600.00.
• Council Memo 408-26: Approved a bulk road salt sales agreement with Midwest Salt LLC at $117.37 per ton.
• Council Memo 409-26: Awarded a professional services agreement to Baxter & Woodman Inc. for the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District Phase 2 Water System Improvements Project (not-to-exceed $65,400.00, paid by the county).
• Council Memo 410-26: Awarded a contract to Sierra ITS for professional services funding in the amount of $275,000.00.
• Council Memo 411-26: Awarded a contract to CDWG for renewal of Cradlepoint NetCloud Mobile Router Licensing for $49,207.09.
• Council Memo 412-26: Awarded a contract to Lenovo for the 2026 PC Lifecycle Program for $85,000.00.
• Council Memo 413-26: Awarded a three-year Microsoft Enterprise Licensing Agreement to SHI (not-to-exceed $1,278,214.47).
• Council Memo 414-26: Awarded a contract to VideoTec for access control and surveillance at 9 Osgood for $72,927.00.

All consent items were approved unanimously (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Thurston (President, Old National Bank) spoke on Council Memo 429-26 (banking services agreement), highlighting the bank's 50-year presence in Joliet, over 7,000 volunteer hours, and over $2 million invested locally. He urged consideration of their community partnership before switching banks.
• Trista Brown (Speak Up) addressed non-agenda items: wished Ann a happy birthday, raised concerns about the Attorney General's report and victims not being heard, and called for attention to conditions at the Riverwalk apartments, especially for seniors.
• Timothy Antell (Joliet resident) spoke about the proposed data center development (Powerhouse Hillman). He stated that Commonwealth Edison canceled the transmission service agreement (TSA) because Hillwood failed to comply with tariff terms and provide required credit support. He warned the data center would be the largest in the U.S. in both size (7 million sq ft) and energy consumption (1.8 gigawatts), consuming nearly 4% of Illinois' total electricity production.
• Dominique (Riverwalk resident) described flooding, mold, and safety issues at her apartment, including a ceiling collapse on her son and a shooting witnessed by her children. She pleaded for help and updates on the situation, stating no communication from management.
• Tamaya Hamer (Joliet Job Corps liaison) introduced the Job Corps program (federally funded workforce development for ages 16-24) and invited council to a community luncheon on September 11, 2026.

Discussion Items

• Appointment to Committee on Citizens with Disabilities: Council unanimously appointed Miriam Mercado.
• Council Memo 416-26 – Alternative Water Source Program Amendment: Approved Amendment No. 5 to the Stantec Consulting Services agreement for $34,792,038.00. The council voted unanimously (9-0). This amendment is part of the Grand Prairie Water Commission project; Joliet pays 60% of the shared costs.
• Council Memo 418-26 – Drive-Thru Permit for Hawaiian Bros Restaurant: Approved for 1351 Shale Road. Councilman Hug clarified it is a full-service restaurant, not just a coffee shop. The permit was part of the Rock Run Collection development. Unanimous approval (9-0).
• Council Memo 420-26 – Joliet Catholic Academy Subdivision Ordinances: Approved Final PUD (PUD-6-26) and Recording Plat (RP-8-26) by a vote of 7-2. Councilman Hug and Councilwoman Quillman voted no. Hug stated his opposition stemmed from a lack of restrictions on renting the property, not against the academy itself.
• Council Memo 421-26 – Special Use Permit for Resale Boutique: Approved for 124 N. Ottawa Street (ZBA 2026-30). Owner Savannah Wilhelmi described the shop as an upscale resale boutique focusing on bridal, special occasion, professional attire, and gifts. Unanimous approval (9-0).
• Council Memo 422-26 – Zoning Reclassification: Approved reclassification of 303 S. Ottawa Street from R-2 (Single-Family Residential) to R-3 (One- and Two-Family Residential) (Z-2-26). Councilwoman Ibarra expressed support. Unanimous (9-0).
• Council Memo 423-26 – Budget Amendment: Approved an amendment to the 2026 Annual Budget (Ordinance 18887). Councilman Hug clarified it is a $26,000 state grant for the fire department, a procedural requirement to accept funds. Unanimous (9-0).
• Council Memo 425-26 – 911 Grant IGA: Approved a resolution authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the Will County 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System Board to accept grant funds. Unanimous (9-0).
• Council Memo 426-26 – Surplus Property: Approved declaring certain city property surplus. Unanimous (9-0).
• Council Memo 427-26 – Vehicles for Tri-County Auto Theft Taskforce: Approved purchase of vehicles and declaring certain vehicles surplus. Unanimous (9-0).
• Council Memo 428-26 – Grant to Joliet Area Historical Museum: Approved a resolution granting $25,000 for events, $125,000 for operations, and $100,000 for operations/events at the museum and rail museum. Vote was 8-1 (Councilman Hug no). Councilwoman Quillman expressed concern about missing plaques honoring donor Mr. Sapanziak (deceased) that were removed during remodeling; she requested the museum restore them. Councilman Hug voted no, and the mayor supported the request.
• Council Memo 429-26 – Banking Services Agreement: Approved a five-year agreement with JP Morgan Chase for banking services, resulting from an RFP process. The agreement provides an estimated financial benefit of $277,000 annually. Several council members (Hug, Ibarra) expressed reluctance but voted yes, citing the need to follow staff recommendation while maintaining relationships with Old National Bank. Final vote 8-1 (Hug nay, Ibarra reluctant aye).

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items and most agenda items passed with strong majorities.
• The Joliet Catholic Academy subdivision ordinance passed 7-2, with Hug and Quillman voting no.
• The Historical Museum grant passed 8-1, with Hug opposed.
• The banking services agreement with JP Morgan Chase passed 8-1, with Hug opposed and Ibarra reluctant.
• Public comment highlighted ongoing concerns: Riverwalk flooding, mold, safety issues; data center TSA cancellation; and community desire for response to Attorney General report.
• City Manager announced NASCAR's return for June 25-27, 2027; storm debris pickup deadlines; and congratulated promoted firefighters.
• Council members urged traffic safety around schools as the new academic year begins.
• A directive was made to request the Joliet Area Historical Museum restore missing donor plaques.