Town Board Discusses Parking Regulations Along Laramie Avenue and Purchases New Police Vehicles
The Town of Cicero trustees during their bi-weekly board meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. April Alonso/Cicero Independiente.
By Efraín Soriano
About 30 audience members applauded as Town Clerk Maria Punzo Arias presented President Larry Dominick with a certificate commemorating his 18th anniversary as Cicero Town President during this year's May 9 board meeting.
“The Board of Trustees do hereby honor President Larry Dominick for his 18 years of public service and many achievements,” said Arias to close out her presentation. “We wish him the best for another 18 years in office.”
This was the first of two meetings held by the Board of Trustees in May 2023. During these meetings, the board approved various rules and decisions. They discussed topics like reserving specific areas on Laramie Ave only for residential parking, introducing a new role of Superintendent of Streets and Alleys in the Public Works Department, purchasing four vehicles for the Police Department, and more.
You can access all the documents from both the May 9 and May 23 meetings, which were used for this summary, by clicking on the links provided.
Here's a quick overview of the decisions that were agreed upon.
Permits
The board began by approving a permit for the installation of two Little Free Libraries outside the fire stations at 5303 West 25th Street and 5410 West 34th Street. Both little libraries have been built and are available to the public for free. There you can usually find children's books in multiple languages and fire helmets and badges for kids.
Amendments to Code of Ordinances
A recent change was made to the town's regulations (Chapter 94, Sections 94-171 and 94-179) through the passing of a new rule. This rule now says that the space near the Laramie Avenue Bridge is only for people who live in Cicero. If you don't live in Cicero or don't have a Cicero Vehicle Tag/Sticker on your car, you can't park there at certain times. If you usually park there, watch out for new signs that might show up.
The trustees voted to approve the creation of a new position in the Code of Ordinances titled Superintendent of Streets and Alleys. President Dominick elected to appoint his son Derek Dominick to this position. He will be responsible for the daily employment operations of the Public Works Department, such as assigning personnel and the disbursement of overtime.
The last amendment to the code of ordinances was in Chapter 94, Section 94-185. The amendment sets a new speed limit of 30 miles per hour for 16th Street from Lombard Avenue to 46th Court.
Town Spending
The Cicero Stadium is the main office of the Clyde Park District. However, the Town of Cicero owns and leases this property to the park district. The town approved to continue leasing this property to allow the park district to conduct its business and run events and activities.
An ordinance approved by the board gave the Cicero Police Department the go-ahead to purchase four new 2023 Chevrolet Tahoes from vendor Currie Motors. Each new vehicle cost the Town of Cicero $49,350. The total amount for this quote came out to $197,400.
Appointments to Committees and Commissions
A resolution was discussed where many individuals were appointed to different positions, boards, commissions and committees within the Town Of Cicero, County Of Cook and State Of Illinois.
Click here to see the new appointed positions
Settlements of Litigation
The board approved the settlement of two separate workers' compensation cases in May 2023.
In the first case, Marcus Ellison v. Town of Cicero, Police Patrolman Ellison was involved in a vehicle collision in July 2021. The parties reached an agreement to settle, resulting in an award of $37,640.57 for Ellison.
In the second case, Theodore Polashek v. Town of Cicero, Firefighter Polashek sustained injuries while extinguishing a fire in May 2021, with the reported injury being smoke inhalation. Both parties came to an agreement to settle, resulting in an award of $17,500 for Polashek.
Watch the full board meeting from May 09, 2023, here.
Watch the full board meeting from May 23, 2023, here.
Efrain Soriano is a contributing reporter for Cicero Independiente.
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