Joliet City Council Meeting - October 6, 2026

The Joliet City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers, presided over by Mayor Terry D'Arcy. All nine council members were present. The agenda included approval of numerous infrastructure contracts and change orders, liquor licenses, zoning ordinances, a budget amendment, several intergovernmental agreements, and an extension of the Poet Laureate agreement. Public comment was heard both on agenda items and on non-agenda concerns including hospital service cuts and impacts from a truck stop development.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the September 14, 2026 Pre-Council meeting and September 15, 2026 City Council meeting.
• Approved payment of invoices.
• Approved 14 consent agenda items (Memos 479-26 through 492-26), including:
  • Payment to Locality Media, Inc. (First Due) for fire inspection services: $104,791.32
  • Award of Ontario Street Drainage Improvements to PT Ferro Construction: $132,830.03
  • Professional services agreements for Des Plaines River Tunnel Crossing Rehabilitation to Baxter & Woodman ($102,280) and Plus Six Engineering ($59,724)
  • Preliminary engineering for 2028 Water System Rehabilitation to Baxter & Woodman: $959,600
  • Replacement pump for Aux Sable WWTP to Gasvoda & Assoc.: $60,275
  • Amendment No. 2 to Delve Underground for tunnel design: $83,000
  • Amendment No. 2 to RJN Group for 2026 sanitary sewer rehab: $20,000
  • Change Order No. 2 for Eastside WWTP SCADA to M J Electric: $670,647.45
  • Change Order No. 2 (deductions) closing out four water main improvement projects: Midland & Campbell (-$599,165.12), Glenwood Manor (-$570,123.62), North Downtown (-$2,175,831.71), Reedwood Phase 3 (-$794,771.29)
  • Change Order No. 2 for Garnsey Park sanitary sewer rehab: -$15,000, plus Amendment No. 2 to RJN Group: $15,000 All consent items were approved unanimously (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Agenda Item – Poet Laureate Extension: Ten individuals spoke in support of extending Uxmar Torres' Poet Laureate agreement through December 31, 2027. Speakers included Tom Grotovsky (Arts Commission Chair), Aubrey Barnes (writer/educator), Kara Torres (wife and teacher), Sasha Oquendo (eighth-grade ELA teacher), Kailyn Byrd, Tanesha Thompson, Ezequiel Tovar, Alianna Alvarado, and Andrea Barone. They highlighted program outcomes: over 300 workshop participants, 160+ students, 1,500+ attendees at readings, 100+ performers, 1,500 free journals distributed, and the creation of safe community spaces.
• Non-Agenda Items:
  • Kaitlyn French (nurse union rep) and Felix Ortiz (union organizer) expressed concerns over St. Joseph Medical Center's closure of obstetrics, pediatrics, and other units by Prime Healthcare, and requested City support to hold the corporation accountable. They cited union busting and unsafe staffing.
  • DiAnn Matter, Tammy Coughenoir, and Kaley Matter raised multiple issues related to the Love's Truck Stop development: drainage/flooding, dangerous intersection conditions at Briggs and New Lenox Road, missing signage (no trucks, speed limits), incomplete berm and fence per annexation agreement, overgrown fire hydrants, and property damage. They demanded enforcement of codes and safety improvements.
  • Kathy Garthus spoke about personal hardships resulting from industrial development, including being forced from her home and current housing instability.
  • Dr. David Jacoby Collins invited the council and public to the "Becoming Queen & Becoming King" event on October 17 at Joliet Public Library.

Discussion Items

• Tax Levy Ordinance (494-26): Postponed to the November 2 council meeting as noted in the budget presentation. No vote taken.
• Water Storage Tanks Contract (495-26): Award of $41,025,400 to Fisher Tank Company for four large tanks needed for the alternative water supply (Lake Michigan switchover by 2030). Councilwoman Quillman requested clarification on the cost increase from the initial estimate. Allison Swisher explained that the original quote used wrong steel gauge and steel prices rose 25% since January; the two bids received were within 1.8% of each other. Councilman Hug added context on market conditions. Approved unanimously (9-0).
• Sewer Rehabilitation for 2027 WMRP (496-26): Award to Hoerr Construction ($1,242,600) and Amendment No. 1 to RJN Group ($69,900). Approved unanimously (9-0).
• Liquor Licenses:
  • Trader Joe's #880 (Class C, 2741 Plainfield Rd) – Councilwoman Quillman expressed excitement; approved unanimously.
  • First Watch #1134 (Class E, 16319 S. Boulevard Pl) – Mayor D'Arcy spoke supportively; approved unanimously.
  • Picanha Y Fuego (Class B, 307 N. Chicago St) – Approved unanimously.
• Neustoneshire Phase Two Ordinances (502-26): Adopted Ordinance 18900 approving Final PUD (PUD-8-26) and Ordinance 18901 approving Recording Plat (RP-10-26). Approved unanimously.
• Budget Amendment (503-26): Ordinance amending the 2026 budget for reimbursable services for Rock Run Collection and Northpoint Developments ($250,000). Councilman Hug clarified this is a reimbursement from developers, not a net cost. Approved 8-0-1 (Councilwoman Ibarra abstained).
• Resolutions (505-26 through 514-26): All adopted unanimously unless noted:
  • 505-26: Accept 2025 Justice Assistance Grant (Resolution 8339)
  • 506-26: MOA with DEA for task force (Resolution 8340)
  • 507-26: MOU with ATF (Resolution 8341)
  • 508-26: JAG Intergovernmental Agreement with Will County (Resolution 8342)
  • 509-26: CDBG PY 2026 Subrecipient Agreements for 10 organizations (Resolutions 8343-8352). Councilman Hug praised the broad distribution.
  • 510-26: Acquisition of ROW for 129th Infantry Drive (Resolution 8353)
  • 511-26: Dedication of ~1.2 acres as Quartz Drive public ROW (Resolution 8354)
  • 512-26: Temporary traffic signal license agreement with North Windham Properties at 1444 N. Larkin Ave for water main work (Resolution 8355). Councilman Hug asked for clarification; Allison Swisher explained it is for a temporary signal at the Portillo's location.
  • 513-26: IGA with Joliet Park District, easement agreement with Grand Prairie Water Commission, and plat of dedication for 129th Infantry Drive (Resolution 8356)
  • 514-26: Extension of Poet Laureate agreement with Uxmar Torres through December 31, 2027 (Resolution 8357). Councilman Moreno requested a poem; Torres recited a short piece. Councilmembers Ibarra, Hug, and Mayor D'Arcy voiced strong support. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All items on the agenda that came to a vote were approved, the vast majority unanimously (9-0). The only non-unanimous vote was Councilwoman Ibarra's abstention on the budget amendment.
• The $41 million water storage tank contract was awarded, a critical step toward the 2030 Lake Michigan water switchover.
• Uxmar Torres' Poet Laureate contract was extended to December 31, 2027, continuing a program that has engaged over 1,500 people.
• Three new liquor licenses were issued to Trader Joe's, First Watch, and Picanha Y Fuego.
• The tax levy ordinance was deferred to November 2, 2026.
• The City Manager's report highlighted the updated city website (Joliet.gov), the JPD Crisis Negotiation Team winning Team of the Year, Firefighter Paramedic Connor Ludwig being named Firefighter of the Year, and the launch of a Halloween Fall Decor map.
• Public concerns regarding St. Joseph Medical Center and Love's Truck Stop were acknowledged; the City Manager noted that a meeting had occurred to address Love's issues and committed to follow-up.