Lake County Gazette

City of North Chicago City Council met Dec. 2 

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of North Chicago met in a Regular meeting, Monday, December 2, 2024, at 6:02 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 1850 Lewis Avenue with Mayor Rockingham, Jr., presiding.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. INVOCATION

IV. ROLL CALL

Upon Roll Call being taken, the following members were present:

Present: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Smith, Murphy, January

Absent: None

V. OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA

5-1 Approval of Minutes for Regular Council Meeting, November 18, 2024

5-2 Approval of Standing Committee Meeting Minutes, November 18, 2024

5-3 Approval of Corrective Asphalt Material Proposal Not to Exceed Amount of $29,530.62 for the Application of Pavement Preservation Materials

5-4 Approval of $30,000 in Additional Repair Work to the Abbvie Raw Water Pumps No. 3 and 4

- a Revised Not to Exceed Amount of $283,000 for Dahme Mechanical to Complete the Work City Clerk Lori L. Collins noted some clarifications to be had in the Council minutes. Under Public Comments, Rayon Edwards, should read “were circulated for signatures” and “would be elected.”

Alderman Allen moved, seconded by Alderman Evans to approve items 5-1 thru 5-4 as presented.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Smith, Murphy

Nays: January

Absent: None

MOTION CARRIED

VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Deborah Richards

Questioned why the topic of honorary street sign for Deborah Richards was not placed back on Committee agenda and no mention of her having the sign. She provided internships at her office from North Chicago High School students. She would continue to come to get answer as to why she was not given a sign.

Charles January

He disagreed with the Chief of Staff salary of $180,000. Expressed the streets were not maintained and there was an enormous amount of crime in North Chicago and Waukegan. He did not understand why Mrs. Richards had not gotten the honorary street sign.

Carmecia Hawthorne

Announced several holiday events: Library Holiday Party, Foss Park Comedy Concert, Holiday Home decoration contest (included Lake Bluff, Great Lakes, North Chicago and part of Waukegan) and Brunch with Santa.

Satrese Stallworth

Mrs. Stallworth thanked Alderman Jackson, Coleman and Allen for the donations to her foundation.

She thought that each alderman would/could donate $500 and wanted clarity the most they could donate from their budget. If unable to donate monetarily, she said that coats were also needed. Mayor Rockingham said he would explore and inform her of the monetary threshold the aldermen could donate.

VII. REGULAR AGENDA

7-1 CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL OF CITY BILLS

General Fund $ 425,182.47

General Grants Fund $ 11,500.00

Motor Fuel Tax Fund $ 40,845.84

Capital Projects Fund $ 161,103.79

Water, Sewer & Refuse Fund $ 216,435.10

Retiree Premium Fund $ 16,895.34

Library Fund $ 7,519.47

TOTAL TO BE PAID $ 879,482.01

PMA - Self Insured Claims $ 52,000.00

TOTAL APPROVED $ 931,482.01

MOTION:

Alderman Allen moved, seconded by Alderman Evans to pay the bills of Council Run and Special Bill Run in the total amount of $931,482.01 when funds become available.

Alderman January asked if there were sufficient funds, when checks would be cut and sent, also amount in Water Fund. Comptroller Tawanda Joyner said there were sufficient funds available, checks to be processed and mailed Wednesday. The liquid amount in the Water Fund as of Wednesday (due to holiday) was $5,383,010.97 liquid. Treasurer Vance Wyatt gave the nonliquid amount of $1,511,052.49.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Smith, Murphy

Nays: January

Absent: None

MOTION CARRIED

VIII. MISCELLANEOUS

VARIOUS CONCERNS AND COMMENTS

*Alderman Evans announced the 3rd Ward Annual Christmas event, December 14, 2024; 1-5 p.m. held at the North Chicago Community Center. He invited all to attend and offered anyone to contact him with questions.

*Alderman January asked for update of her verbal and written FOI request of background checks for all elected officials. She read the information that she did receive from the Chief of Staff. She said that it was not illegal for an elected official to ask for background checks. She asked for criminal background checks not North Chicago police reports. The Chief of Staff explained his letter of response. He noted that he consulted with the City Attorneys. The attorney explained records are not created and it was improper to use the software LEADS unless used for hiring or an investigation.

The attorneys cited, as referenced in the letter, state statute. There was a difference between a background check and an arrest record. He directed the Police Chief to pull all arrest records.

Alderman January said that she would be filing with the State and State’s Attorney that her request was not answered. Alderman Smith asked the Chief of Staff if it was clear what Alderman January was requesting. Mr. Jackson explained that he understood and that if the elected official’s backgrounds were pulled there would have to be a written consent from each person. Alderman January insisted that he was incorrect, and anyone can run a background check. She said that taxpayers had a right to know.

Alderman January referred to the information she received; there were 8 events within 2 complaints for Alderman Evans. Mr. Jackson said that would disobey the laws of the state statute. There are limitations for some requests. Mayor Rockingham said on behalf of the Chief of Staff he worked diligently to fulfill the request. He said the Chief of Police also said it was illegal.

Alderman Evans re-iterated that if there were questions anyone had concerning him, they could ask him directly. Some people couldn’t be too concerned about taxpayer dollars if they don’t pay City taxes or City bills. Alderman Allen emphasized the focus should be City business and not each other.

Talk about making the City better; talk about the other things directly to that person. He asked the Chief of Staff to brief about matters of the City.

Chief of Staff noted several events taking place within the City, including a travel center, remediation on Sheridan Road, text amendments and the property taxes of a solar farm and previous CYOC becoming a new restaurant.

Mayor Rockingham recognized that Executive Session was not on the agenda but was necessary, he cited under statute 5 ILCS 120 (c)(11) and asked for a motion.

Alderman Allen moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to Suspend the Regular Order of Business to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120 (c)(11) – Litigation at 6:37 p.m.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Smith, Murphy

Nays: January

Absent: None

MOTION CARRIED

Alderman Jackson moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to Reconvene the Regular Order of Business at 7:27 p.m.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Smith, January

Nays: None

Absent: Murphy

MOTION CARRIED

IX. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Council; a motion was made by Alderman Allen, seconded by Alderman January that the meeting stand adjourned.

MOTION CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE

The Council Meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

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