Cicero Board Approves Parades, Infrastructure Upgrades, and New Communications Specialist
The Town of Cicero trustees during their bi-weekly board meeting on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. April Alonso/Cicero Independiente
By Leslie Hurtado
The Town of Cicero Board of Trustees and President Larry Dominick met twice in August 2024 to discuss various ordinances and resolutions.
In August, the Cicero Board approved permits for parades, new stop signs and several community events, including the Mexican Independence Day parade. Infrastructure projects included a $2.66 million water main upgrade and a construction contract for Ability Park. Additional approvals covered vacant property rules, vision screenings and funding for communication services.
You can access the documents shown in this recap by clicking on these links: August 13 and August 27. For live streams of these meetings, visit our Facebook page.
PERMITS
The Cicero Board approved the J. Sterling Morton High School Homecoming Parade that took place on October 26, which began at 10:00 a.m. The parade started at Morton East High School, traveled south on Austin Blvd., west on 26th St. and ended at the Morton West High School Parking Lot.
The Mexican Independence Day Parade took place on September 15 at noon. It started at 50th Avenue and proceeded west along Cermak Road to 59th Court.
The board also approved several community events, including those by Our Lady of Charity Catholic Church, such as a walk on September 26 with a temporary closure of 36th Street and the annual Kermes Festival on September 8.
RESOLUTIONS
The town has approved a change to Chapter 94, Section 94-182 of its municipal code to install new stop signs at key intersections.
The locations include:
21st Street and 57th Court
55th Avenue and 18th Street
57th Court and 18th Street
The goal was to reduce traffic speed and improve safety for pedestrians. The amendment states the town will use proper installation and maintenance of the signs.
Cicero has updated its rules for managing vacant properties by changing Chapter 22, Article X of its Code of Ordinances. The new rules ensure that vacant buildings are registered, well-maintained and secured to prevent issues such as crime and fire hazards.
Property owners must register vacant buildings within 10 days of becoming vacant and pay a semi-annual registration fee of $250 for vacant land, $350 for a single-family home, $500 for multi-family homes and $1,000 for mixed-use, commercial, or industrial properties. The changes include inspections and maintenance to keep the area safe and clean.
The town has partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for a 2024 water main improvement project. The project costs around $2.66 million, with $2 million funded by a USACE grant and the remaining $658,333 covered by the town. The agreement includes USACE support for design and construction.
Cicero approved a tree inventory and urban forestry plan with Great Lakes Urban Forestry, Inc., finalized on June 17, 2024, for $83,590. Funded by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant through the Morton Arboretum, the project aimed to create a detailed plan to expand Cicero’s urban trees.
The Town of Cicero received a $5,285 grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health to support vision and hearing screenings for preschool-aged children in licensed daycare centers. Certified technicians will conduct screenings for children three years and older, with a $7 reimbursement per screening. Monthly and annual reports on these screenings are required for continued funding.
TOWN SPENDING
The town approved an agreement with Cicero School District 99 to share the cost of school crossing guards. Due to financial challenges, the town needed support from the District to continue providing these services. The District contributed to the program’s annual cost of about $544,507, covering salaries, payroll taxes and a 10% administrative fee.
They also approved a resolution authorizing payments to Rehrig Pacific Company for new waste collection toters. The payments include two invoices: one for $37,836, dated June 17, 2024, and another for $37,816, dated April 22, 2024.
Cicero hired Joanna Klonsky Communication Strategies, Inc. for a monthly fee of $5,000 to improve communication with residents. The firm will handle media relations, public safety alerts and share updates during emergencies like floods. They will also spread awareness about resources such as FEMA aid, Cicero programs and public services.
The town approved a $4,192,300 contract with Burling Builders, Inc., to construct a new inclusive park called Ability Park, funded by Community Development Block Grants. Burling Builders, chosen as the lowest responsible bidder, reported contract revenue of $4,355,391 and year-to-date revenue of $16,381,712.
The Town of Cicero has approved a resolution to work with the Illinois Department of Transportation on upgrades to Cermak Road. The project will cover 53,000 feet and include new traffic signals, ADA improvements and monitoring. The total cost is estimated at $12.2 million, with Cicero contributing approximately $204,603 from its Motor Fuel Tax funds, while federal funds will cover most expenses.
SETTLEMENTS
The Town of Cicero agreed to a $58,412 settlement with Mack Industries, Ltd. and Oak Park Avenue Realty Ltd. to end a legal dispute from bankruptcy cases.
Cicero also settled a lawsuit with Ronald Gianakopoulos for $55,757 over personal injury claims related to his employment. The settlement avoids further legal costs.
APPOINTMENTS
The town approved an ordinance to update Chapter 2, Article IV of its code, bringing changes to the Building Department. The update defines the roles of the Building Commissioner, who manages the department and the Field Director, who oversees inspections and staff working outside Town Hall. It also gives the Town President the power to hire and manage staff within the department.
Town officials appointed Ron Reitz to the Graffiti Task Force and Mark Molaro as Field Director in the Building Department. These roles were set to last until October 31, 2024 or as directed by town authorities.
COMMENTS
Maria Punzo-Arias thanked local departments for their efforts during the “National Night Out” event, where animal control provided pet food to 500 families with pets.
She noted that financial struggles have led some Cicero families to abandon their pets. Punzo-Arias commended public works and animal control for their response in rescuing animals and encouraged pet owners to use shelters instead of abandoning animals.
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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