Lake County Gazette

City of North Chicago Judiciary Committee met May 6

Here is the agenda provided by the committee:

Alderman Jackson called the meeting to order.

ROLL CALL:

Present: Jackson, Coleman (RP), Evans, Allen, Smith, Murphy, January

Absent: None

I. DISCUSSION REVIEW OF ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 2, CHAPTER 4, SECTION 3 – DUTIES OF TREASURER:

Alderman Murphy left at 7:00 and returned at 7:05 p.m.

Item I. will be placed on the Next Committee Agenda, May 20, 2024.

II. DISCUSSION/REVIEW OF ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 2, CHAPTER 2 – ALDERMANIC SPENDING:

Attorney Adam Simon explained the ordinance, it matched the memo previously sent. Alderman Evans directed him to pg. 3. Attorney Simon explained it was the default rule. The Ward meetings expenditures needed to focus mainly on the City. It was at the discretion of the council members to change.

Alderman Jackson was hopeful with reasonable expenditures for Ward meetings. Chief of Staff Greg Jackson suggested the ordinance to be codified to assist staff with clarity of what should be accepted.

Alderman January asked the amount needed for Council approval. Chief of Staff Jackson explained it was $10,000+. She wasn’t content with the ordinance, agreeable with parameters being set and suggested the need for accountability of “all” elected officials.

Attorney Simon added that the Mayor, City Clerk and Treasurer were also Department Heads with expenditures of $100.

Alderman Jackson recalled and clarified it was Council consensus to place language of elected official policy vs. aldermanic.

The Mayor suggested a separate ordinance with legislative elected officials vs. the remaining were also department heads. Alderman Smith agreed with language of guidelines for the legislative and other elected officials discussed. Alderman January had suggested 1ordinance with separate sections.

Attorney Simon was willing to prepare an ordinance for all elected officials. He clarified that appointed board members were not allowed to spend without approval. Alderman Evans clarified other cities requirements. Attorney Simon said there were no other municipal clients that utilized credit cards spending independently from the council. He was attempting an alternative method continually exercising authority that protected the council members legally.

Chief of Staff Jackson explained the time in his position, he received much feedback of aldermanic expenditures. He asked for a codified set of rules and explained. Attorney Simon advised Ward meetings could become political or campaigning events, he recommended a certain amount. Attorney Simon clarified the numbers were contingent upon the council’s decision.

Chief of Staff Jackson suggested/recommended the foundation provided by the attorney, imploring that the council members codified the ordinance for consistency.

Alderman Allen emphasized need to be City business; each alderman had a certain amount in their account. Need to move forward in the City of North Chicago.

Alderman Jackson suggested moving forward with each council member meeting with Chief of Staff Jackson to establish an attentive ordinance draft amendment on one accord.

Alderman Coleman addressed the Chief of Staff with any issues of Mayoral spending. Mr. Jackson explained the incident of his flight delay previously discussed and was in order.

Alderman Coleman questioned the difference of Ward meeting and Community Days that was initiated as a campaign event and became city related. There were City funds expended with a revised name of public relations. Attorney Simon explained that Community Days were designed to elevate the city, returning it to the city residents. It wasn’t for the purpose of aggrandizing or politicizing a particular elected official. Alderman Coleman strongly stated that the ward meetings also promoted the City as a whole; again, he asked the difference.

The Mayor explained that Community Days were a function as other surrounding areas. The City of North Chicago, School and Park District were included in fundraising. Funds were solicited from sponsors contributed. All taxing bodies were encouraged to attend. He disagreed with the comparison.

Alderman January had observed campaigning at the event. It was “crossing the line” between political and community event. She had also observed the team in shirts handing out political information in the parade.

Attorney Simon explained it was the Political Action Committee that supported the Mayor’s campaign and purchased the float and the parade rules allowed anyone interested in the community. That was different from purchasing with city funds. He compared an alderperson utilizing their campaign funds for a ward party etc.

Alderman Coleman asked why was on entity labeled as political compared to the other. The rules need to be followed accordingly. There wasn’t a real difference between Ward meetings and Community Days.

Item II would be placed until June 3rd for continued discussion.

III. DISCUSSION/REVIEW OF CITY OF NORTH CHICAGO PROPOSSED WEBSITE POLICY:

Both items III & IV were removed.

IV. DISCUSSION/REVIEW OF CITY OF NORTH CHICAGO PROPOSED ELECTRONIC MEDIA POLICY:

Alderman Allen moved, seconded by Alderman Evans that Judiciary Committee Meeting stand adjourned.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Coleman (RP), Evans, Allen, Smith, Murphy

Nays: None

Absent: January

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

https://www.northchicago.org/vertical/sites/%7B52959CF2-969E-41D9-A9CF-CF0A11D0BEA9%7D/uploads/COMMITTEE_MINUTES.5.6.24.pdf