The Plainfield Village Board met on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Boardroom. The meeting included a Juneteenth proclamation, trustee comments, public comment, a consent agenda, and several discussion items. The board approved ordinances to allow open carry and consumption of alcohol at special events (limited to cruise nights), a video gaming license for the Plainfield Moose Lodge, a fire life safety grant, and numerous public works and police department actions.
I right now call the meeting to order, Miss Gibbs. Trusty Pinutin. Trusty keeper. Trustee Paniker. Yes. Trustee Ruin. Trusty Sula. Here, Trusty Wachowski. Mayor Gadellas. Yes, we'll stand for the pledge, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Well, welcome everyone. Thank you for being here. Um we have a proclamation this evening. We are going to proclaim Juneteenth. Whereas Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Whereas Juneteenth holds significant historical importance as it marks the day on June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of slavery more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Whereas Juneteenth, Juneteenth is a time to reflect upon the struggles and sacrifices of those who have fought for freedom and equality and to honor the resilience achievements and cultural contributions of African Americans. Whereas the village of Plainfield recognizes the importance of Juneteenth in preserving and promoting our shared history, fostering understanding and promoting racial harmony and justice. Whereas the Village of Plainfield acknowledges the significance of Juneteenth as a day of remembrance, education and celebration, and fostering dialogue and promoting cultural diversity and inclusivity. And whereas the observance of Juneteenth provides an opportunity for education and reflection on the historical injustices and challenges faced by African Americans and embodies a triumphant celebration of freedom, the unbreakable bonds of unity, and the perpetual pursuit of equality and justice. Now, therefore, I John F. Argadellas, president of the village of Plainfield, Illinois, do hereby proclaim June 19th, 2026 as Juneteenth in the village of Plainfield. I encourage all residents to observe this day and engage in activities that promote the historical significance and achievements of Juneteenth. I think it's about the third Juneteenth in a row that will be right here in Settlers Park this Friday from noon until fun. And uh their flyer reads that um it will have uh DJ, a guitarist, face painting, family games, a food truck, and all sorts of family fun. All are welcome to celebrate Juneteenth. And I did coincidentally hear a story today about um in I'd say the third n late 1930s or early 40s, um there was a black speaker uh coming to Washington, and the daughters of the American Revolution would not let her speak from the Lincoln Memorial, and she spoke uh from a different point in Washington, but Eleanor Roosevelt um promptly resigned from the daughters of the American Revolution over that. So the movement for equality and respect for everyone uh in our country and in our community began much longer ago than today, but it continues. It continues, and when I look at uh the great diversity that exists in Plainfield and the respect we all have for one another as human beings, as residents, as friends and neighbors, Juneteenth is just part of that mosaic and in fact. So anyhow, trusty comments. I'm gonna jump in and thank uh public works and all the extra work I know with the storms and all that you've been doing and running around cleaning up all those three branches that are down um all over the place, and you've done done a lot of work on that, so thank you. And I also want to thank um Amy DeBoney and and um Josh Blakemore and everybody involved in public works as well and um getting the riverfront ready for our ribbon cutting down there tomorrow at 2 15. Um that that means a lot when you see the development. We keep talking about the development of the riverfront, but now you can actually see all the different changes that are going on down there, and they're positive and they're beautiful, and uh, we're excited to uh cut the ribbon on that tomorrow afternoon. So thank you. And other trusty comments? I'll just echo she's just a little bit quicker than me. Trustee Banucci, that's exactly what I was gonna say. So thank you, Trusty Banucci. Thank you, Amy DeBoney, and thank you, Public Works. You guys are awesome. It's it's it's a really amazing what you guys could get done in a short amount of time, and and it's really appreciated, and I know you don't hear it enough. Thanks. I'll just echo that too. Com I'd like to commend public works. I know they they actually do this year round, so in the winter they're they're out there too doing that type of stuff. But uh when weather hits like that, it's it's nice to know you you guys are there, your staff's there to help out when the village needs it. Thank you.