Residents Voice Concerns About Cicero's 2024 Budget and Flooding Prevention
The Town of Cicero trustees during their bi-weekly board meeting while a Cicero resident speaks in front of them on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. April Alonso/Cicero Independiente
By Leslie Hurtado
Editor's note: A previous version of the article mentioned "The town published the drafted budget in Lawndale News" which now says “The town only published a public notice in Lawndale News.”
The Town of Cicero Board of Trustees and President Larry Dominick met twice in March 2024 to discuss various ordinances and resolutions.
In March, the board discussed Cicero's budget, which amounts to over $200 million, focusing on flood prevention amid resident concerns. Despite allocating $200,000 for flood studies and about $1 million for specific mitigation projects, residents felt this was insufficient to address the underlying causes of flooding.
Residents also raised concerns about budget priorities, questioning why services like emergency migrant shelters and health clinics would receive limited funding while the police department was slated to receive $20 million.
Access the documents shown in this recap by clicking on these links: March 12 and March 26. For live streams of these meetings, visit our Facebook page.
PERMITS
The town approved several permits for various events. State Representative Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez hosted an eco-friendly disposal event on April 20 at the Cicero Community Park and parking lot. Ministerio El Shaddai held its annual church convention on March 15-16. Additionally, St. Mary of Czestochowa organized a Parish Flea Market on March 16-17 at St. Mary’s Social Center.
RESOLUTIONS
The Town of Cicero approved an ordinance to formalize a collective bargaining agreement with the Laborers' International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150. The agreement typically spans multiple years and outlines key elements of labor relations. The exact terms were not specified in the agenda.
The board has also partnered with the Proviso Children's Advocacy Center (PCAC) to tackle child abuse cases through a collaborative approach. The agreement orders the Cicero Police Department to follow the Cicero protocol, which stresses teamwork among law enforcement. The center prioritizes child protection, medical, mental health and victim advocacy. However, specific costs and dates for the agreement were not provided in the agenda.
The Town of Cicero received a $511,200 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Urban and Community Forestry Service to conduct a tree inventory, create an urban forest management plan and plant 500 trees. The focus is to improve environmental issues in Cicero and managing stormwater.
Cicero Community Network, Cicero School District 99 and the Cicero Public Library will support the project by hosting events, sharing information on social media and providing staff assistance.
TOWN SPENDING
Cicero's 2024 budget funds public works, the fire department, police and senior services. The police department will receive over $20 million for personal services. Public works gets nearly $6 million for personal services and over $4 million for contractual costs. The budget also supports community programs and senior services, with special events and community programs totaling about $2.2 million and senior services activities costing nearly $2 million.
The $200 million budget also included the $48 million Water/Sewer Enterprise Fund for water and sewer infrastructure. This funding aims to control flooding by upgrading the town's water supply, wastewater management and drainage systems.
The town allocated $1.7 million to Cicero's health clinic and a mere $20,000 for Cicero's emergency migrant shelters.
The town approved a resolution to pay an invoice from Restore Construction, Inc. for demolition services. Demolition work started after a fire caused severe damage to a building at 5931 W. 16th Street. The invoice of $221,774.75 covers the demolition and related work.
After the emergency demolition, Robert R. Andreas & Sons, Inc. removed the asphalt parking lot and replaced it with concrete. Their invoice for this work, dated February 21, 2024, amounted to $18,985.
Additionally, the town approved a $1,208,500 grant agreement with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) to fund police officer recruitment, training and retention programs. The police department also seeks the town's support to use the funds for referral bonuses, retention incentives and recruitment campaigns to address staffing issues. The grant will allow several incentives for the police department, such as a $2,500 bonus for referring recruits, retention incentives providing $2,500 after 18 months, $2,500 after two years and $5,000 after three years.
They also secured a $24,999 grant from ILETSB to support the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) program. The program aims to enhance ballistic testing and law enforcement capabilities. This funding will cover expenses for the Cicero Police Department's ballistic technology and equipment expansion.
SETTLEMENTS
The Town of Cicero has settled a legal dispute with Jason Stroud, a former employee, over workplace injuries. The total settlement amount is $167,338 with Stroud receiving an amount of $133,097.90 after deductions for attorney's fees and other costs.
The Town also reached a settlement agreement with Leticia Dardon for $250,000, following a lawsuit related to a slip incident in the Fire Station and 911 Center on or about July 21, 2019.
APPOINTMENTS
The Town of Cicero passed a resolution to reorganize the Health Department, creating new positions. The new positions include Director of Public Health Operations, filled by Vanessa Parrish, and Director of Clinical Services, assigned to Marissa Rauba.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Residents in Cicero voiced concerns over major flooding during last year’s summer. Many attendees said the town's budget fails to adequately address flooding prevention.
Gerardo Nava, a Cicero resident, pointed out flooding is a widespread issue affecting many parts of the town. Despite the agenda including items related to flood management, Nava said the budget is not sufficient enough to address the underlying causes of flooding.
“We need our money spent properly and effectively so that we can feel comfortable and safe in our homes,” Nava said.
Hugo Trevino, another Cicero resident, stressed the importance of addressing the climate crisis and its effects on the community. Trevino suggested planting more trees and creating community gardens to help combat flooding and improve the quality of life in Cicero. Trevino also called for more transparency in the budget process and urged the town to engage residents in discussions about budget allocations.
Cicero Independiente’s co-founder Irene Romulo raised concerns from residents about the town's budget process, pointing out budget documents required in-person sign-ins at the clerk's office instead of being made available online. Romulo also pointed out residents were given only a 10-day notice before public hearings, which limited their ability to review and provide feedback on the budget effectively.
According to several residents, the town’s approach not only limited accessibility but also raised questions about transparency. Further complicating matters, the public hearing was scheduled just 15 minutes before the town board meeting, leaving little time for public participation or discussion.
In response, the attorney from the Town of Cicero's legal department Michael T. Del Galdo stated its budget practices comply with the law. Del Galdo cited the Illinois municipal budget law, which requires a minimum of 10 days' notice and publication in a newspaper of general circulation. The town only posted a public notice of the budget hearing in Lawndale News. Budget documents were available in the clerk's office for public viewing before the meeting and the ordinance could be adopted at the same meeting as the public hearing, according to Del Galdo.
Leslie Hurtado is a contributing reporter with Cicero Independiente. She graduated with a B.A. in Communications at Northeastern Illinois University. She worked at several news rooms including WBEZ, WTTW, Telemundo and City Bureau.
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