Committee of the Whole
Jul 27, 2026
The lede
- Council approved a new electric utility tax amendment to capture tax from businesses that generate their own power instead of purchasing from ComEd, ensuring equal treatment with other taxpayers
- Approved hiring a full-time building inspector/plans examiner ($68,000-$78,000 salary range) to address staffing shortage and 4-week backlog in permit reviews
- Rejected bids for landfill groundwater monitoring contracts and extended existing contracts with Pace Analytical Services for both Landfill #1 and #2, saving money
- Police Department swore in new officer and has two more starting academy in August; National Night Out scheduled for August 4th
Decisions & votes
Electric Utility Tax Amendment (106-190)
- Motion passed to forward ordinance amendment to full City Council that would impose a 5% electric tax on businesses that self-generate electricity (not purchased at retail)
- Tax exempts emergency generators but applies to industrial peaker plants and fuel cells
- Ensures businesses generating their own power pay same tax as those buying from ComEd
Full-Time Building Inspector Position
- Motion passed (with one “no” vote) to amend FY 2027 budget to authorize salary up to $78,000 for full-time building inspector
- Motion passed to authorize hiring with salary range $68,000-$78,000 depending on certifications (Building Code, Residential Code, Mechanical Code, Energy Code, Fuel Gas Code)
- Alternative motion to postpone until budget retreat failed for lack of second
Landfill #1 Groundwater Monitoring
- Motion passed to reject all bids (Jacob & Hefners $14,222; Fehr Graham $21,500)
- Motion passed to extend existing contract with Pace Analytical Services at $12,920 for two-year term
Landfill #2 Groundwater Monitoring
- Motion passed to reject all bids (Jacob & Hefners $83,398; Fehr Graham $96,500)
- Motion passed to extend existing contract with Pace Analytical Services at $76,445.80 for two-year term (cost split 50/50 with county)
Discussion items
Building Department Staffing Crisis: Director Wilcox explained the department is severely understaffed compared to pre-recession levels (previously had full-time director, 1-2 residential inspectors, part-time commercial inspector, and code enforcement officer). Currently operating with just director doing dual roles and part-time inspector. Plan review backlog has doubled from 2 weeks to 4 weeks.
Succession Planning: Discussion emphasized need for succession planning as Director Wilcox will eventually retire. New position would allow 2-3 years for knowledge transfer, similar to approach used when Jordan Keck transitioned into Public Works.
Code Enforcement Gap: Current code enforcement officer retiring in 3 weeks. Director Wilcox currently handling code enforcement calls in addition to plan reviews and inspections.
Budget Amendment Concerns: Alderman Brereton expressed preference to wait until next budget retreat to address staffing, but motion failed. Mayor argued waiting would leave department further underwater, especially with Stellantis reopening and anticipated development.
Electric Tax Background: Attorney Drella explained increasing trend of industries installing their own power generation (peaker plants, fuel cells) due to ComEd delays and decreasing coal-fired plants. Tax mirrors previous amendments for natural gas and motor fuel. Potential exemption discussed for natural gas used in generators to avoid double taxation.
Financial / operational notes
Building Department Position: Part-time position being converted to full-time. Previous position was intentionally kept under $1,000 threshold to avoid IMRF (retirement system). New position budget accommodates increase but overall salary line item has clearance due to vacancy period.
Landfill Monitoring Savings: Extending existing Pace Analytical contracts saves money versus new bids:
- Landfill #1: $12,920 vs. lowest bid of $14,222 (2-year term, approximately $6,460/year)
- Landfill #2: $76,445.80 vs. lowest bid of $83,398 (2-year term split with county)
Police Department: Currently down 3 officers; 1 officer on long-term disability pension approved; 1 officer terminated during FTO process; 2 new officers starting August 6th; 3 officers in FTO program; 1 at academy graduating August.
Fire Department: Responded to 327 calls in past 30 days (average 11 per shift); 217 medical, 35 public service, 14 hazardous situations, 10 fires, 3 law enforcement support. Six of seven fire officers eligible to retire during next promotional list cycle (expires February 2030).
Public comment
No content.
Notable moments
- Chief Shadel corrected his memo terminology, joking about confusing “triennial” (once every three years) with a similar spelling, generating laughter
- Alderman Brereton acknowledged coming to meeting prepared not to vote for building inspector position, but changed stance after hearing about retirement and challenges, saying “sometimes you got to do what you got to do”
- Mayor made lighthearted “no pun intended” comment to Fire Chief about “fire drills” when discussing unexpected staffing emergencies
- Fire Chief provided prompt follow-up answer to Alderman Peterson’s earlier question about overdoses (zero) and brush fires (one mulch fire in parking lot median, likely from smoking material)
- Meeting adjourned quickly at 6:47 p.m. with Mayor joking “Anybody want to stay? I didn’t think so”