Joliet City Council Meeting - October 20, 2026

The Joliet City Council convened on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers for its regular meeting. All council members were present. The meeting included a status update on the city's first Comprehensive Plan in over 60 years, a public hearing on the proposed 2027 Fiscal Year Budget, the approval of an annexation agreement for a large warehouse development on Houbolt Road, and multiple professional service and material contracts. Significant public testimony addressed a property ban at the Joliet Area Historical Museum (JAM) and safety concerns near the Love's Truck Stop.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes (Pre-Council Oct 5, City Council Oct 6) and invoices for payment.
• Awarded Professional Services Agreement for Tourism Study & Market Assessment to Hunden Partners ($69,350).
• Approved Lease Agreement with University of St. Francis for the Silver Cross-Joliet Fire EMS Academy ($7,041.66/month, Nov 2026 - Dec 2027).
• Approved purchase of one Duralift DTA-42 for Public Works ($167,000).
• Approved Purchase Order #3 for 2026 Traffic Signal Materials ($77,900).
• Approved Purchase Orders for 2026 Aggregate Materials for Roadways and Public Utilities.
• Awarded Professional Services Agreement for 2027 Source Water Protection Plan Update ($25,960).
• Approved Emergency Garage Door Replacement at Washington Street Facility ($27,280).
• Approved Change Order #1 for Well 24D Rehabilitation Project ($36,224.24).
• Approved Change Order #1 for Southeast Joliet Sanitary District Meter Replacement Program ($145,614.32).
• Awarded Contract for Emergency Irving Street Sewer Improvements ($81,715).
• Awarded Contracts for VUEWorks Asset Management Software Support ($70,000) and Fleet 360 Fleet Management Software Renewal ($50,273.64).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Comprehensive Plan: Keith Egly, a property owner on the South Chicago Street Corridor, expressed conditional support for the planning process, requesting that the final plan explicitly protect existing lawful uses and that property owners be included in parcel-specific discussions.
• 23960 S. Houbolt Road Annexation: Kathy Garthus expressed strong opposition to the annexation, arguing it would harm remaining residents through increased truck traffic, noise, environmental damage, and reduced quality of life. A student, Harmony, raised an unrelated public safety concern regarding security at the Joliet Metro station.
• Joliet Area Historical Museum Ban: Christine Johnson expressed strong opposition to the city's involvement in the JAM property ban. She argued the city attorney's office legally reviewed and drafted the ban letter, presenting FOIA requests to support her claims. She demanded the council direct the city manager to rescind the ban or freeze the city's funding to the museum.
• Love's Truck Stop: DiAnn Matter expressed strong support and gratitude for the city's recent actions, including added stop signs, barriers, increased police presence, and holding the business to its temporary occupancy permit requirements.
• Personal Concerns: Kathy Garthus addressed personal health and housing instability issues involving a local motel and Catholic Charities.

Discussion Items

• Joliet Comprehensive Plan Update: Planning Director Jayne Bernhard presented the status of the city's first comprehensive plan in over 60 years. The community survey received over 2,000 responses (the minimum needed was 306 for statistical significance). Seven topic workshops drew 230 attendees. The final community workshop is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Joliet West High School. The draft plan and an online engagement opportunity will be available from October 30th through November 20th. Councilwoman Ibarra strongly urged residents to watch the Urban 3 economic analysis video online.
• 2027 Fiscal Year Budget Public Hearing: Finance Director Kevin Sing described the proposed $243.5 million General Fund budget. Key allocations include 47% for public safety, $200 million for sewer and water infrastructure (including 20 miles of water main replacement), $15 million in new road and sidewalk funding ($5.1 million for residential streets covering an estimated 32 lane miles or 60-70 streets), and $2 million for sidewalk replacement. The budget contains no new personnel and no tax increases. Councilman Hug asked about carryover of unspent funds, and Councilman Clement urged early commencement of roadwork. No public comment was offered.
• 23960 S. Houbolt Road Development: Nate Washburn of KGG LLC, representing the applicant, provided a project description: a roughly 1 million square foot warehouse on 74 acres across from CenterPoint, within an existing industrial corridor. The council approved the annexation agreement, zoning classification (I-1 Light Industrial), and a special use permit. Councilwoman Ibarra clarified the location is not near residential neighborhoods.
• City Center Special Service Area Extension: The council adopted an ordinance proposing a 10-year time extension for the City Center SSA, which funds downtown services, business grants, and events. City Manager Beth Beatty and Corporation Counsel Todd Lenzie confirmed the ordinance sets a public hearing for December 21, 2026.
• Council and Staff Reports: Council members discussed operational issues, including resident concerns about the 50/50 sidewalk program and the city's gas card policy. City Manager Beatty confirmed she is reviewing the gas card policy and does not use one herself. Councilman Hug and Mayor D'Arcy thanked Fire Chief Carey and Grant Coordinator Becky DeGroate for securing a $1,000,000 SAMHSA grant for the no-cost mental health program. On the JAM ban, Councilwoman Ibarra, Councilwoman Quillman, Councilman Hug, and Mayor D'Arcy all expressed strong frustration and a desire to use city leverage to facilitate a resolution.

Key Outcomes

• Comprehensive Plan: Final community workshop announced for October 29th. Plan commission review targeted for January; City Council adoption targeted for February 2, 2027.
• Budget (532-26): Public hearing held. Formal adoption expected at a subsequent meeting.
• Annexation and Development (533-26, 535-26): Annexation agreement (Resolution 8358), zoning (Ord. 18904), and special use permit (Ord. 18905) for 23960 S. Houbolt Road approved 9-0.
• Appointment: Felipe Gloria (recorded as Felipe Garcia in the official minutes) appointed to the Plan Commission. Vote 9-0.
• Bituminous Materials (528-26): Purchase orders approved 8-0 (Councilman Moreno abstained).
• Liquor License (530-26): Class E license for Lagos Grill & Lounge approved 7-2 (Councilmen Hug and Ibarra opposed).
• Millsdale Road Vacation (537-26): Ordinance 18908 and Resolution 8359 approved 8-1 (Councilwoman Ibarra opposed).
• City Center SSA Extension (539-26): Ordinance 18910 approved 9-0. Public hearing scheduled for December 21, 2026.
• Grants and Partnerships:
  • IHSA Baseball Agreements (541-26, 542-26): Resolutions 8360, 8361 approved unanimously (9-0).
  • Heritage Corridor Tourism Extension (543-26): Resolution 8362 approved 8-0 (Councilman Cardenas abstained).
  • TRANSCAER Hazmat Grant (544-26): Resolution 8363 approved 9-0.
  • Silver Cross-JFD EMS MOU (545-26): Resolution 8364 approved 9-0.
  • SAMHSA Mental Health Grant (546-26): Resolution 8365 accepting the $1,000,000 award approved 9-0. Combined with a previous county grant, this fully funds the program without local budget dollars.
• Holiday Parade (547-26): Route closure Resolution 8366 approved 9-0.
• Museum Ban: No formal vote was taken. A majority of council members expressed a desire for the city manager to intervene or leverage city funding to achieve a resolution regarding the Joliet Area Historical Museum property ban.