South Cook News

City of Blue Island City Council met Feb. 25

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1) Call to Order 

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Blue Island was called to order by Mayor Bilotto at 7:00 p.m. on February 25, 2025. 

2) Pledge of Allegiance 

3) Roll Call 

Roll Call indicates the following: 

Present: 6 Fahrenwald, McGee, Carr, Roll, Montoya, Ruthenberg 

Absent: 1 Johnson 

Present Also: 5 Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, City Clerk Nancy Rita, Treasurer Erin Blake, City Attorney Thomas Wogan, City Administrator Mark Patoska, Deputy City Administrator 

4) Presentation of Journal of Proceedings 

a. Motion by Alderman McGee, second by Alderman Fahrenwald to approve the City Council Minutes from the February 11, 2025, City Council meeting. 

Ayes: 6 Fahrenwald, McGee, Carr, Roll, Montoya, Ruthenberg 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 1 Johnson 

Abstention: 0 

There being six (6) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

5) Public Comment 

Mission Covenant Church thanked the City for a wonderful time at the Black History Month celebration and for honoring people who made positive impact on the community. 

6) Old Business 

No old business. 

7) New Business 

a. Public Hearing Regarding the City of Blue Island Lead Service Line Removal and Replacement Plan and A Preliminary Environmental Impact Determination (PEID) in Relation to the Same. 

Travis Burke of Burke Engineering stated that the City has applied for funding through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for lead service line removal and replacement and received preliminary approval. The rules require the City to hold a public hearing in relation to the same and the hearing was opened to the public. 

No public comment. 

8) Mayor's Report 

a. Motion for Approval of Payroll dated February 14, 2025, for $416,170.34 (gross). 

Motion by Alderman Carr, second by Alderman Ruthenberg to approve Payroll for February 14, 2025 for $416,170.34. 

Ayes: 6 Fahrenwald, McGee, Carr, Roll, Montoya, Ruthenberg 

Nays: 0

Absent: 1 Johnson 

Abstention: 0 

There being six (6) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

b. Motion for Approval of Accounts Payable dated February 26, 2025 for $823,426.60 (gross). 

Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman McGee to approve Accounts Payable for February 26, 2025 for $823,426.60 (gross). 

Ayes: 6 Fahrenwald, McGee, Carr, Roll, Montoya, Ruthenberg 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 1 Johnson 

Abstention: 0 

There being six (6) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

Alderman Fahrenwald inquired about the line item for Cleaning Specialists Inc. The Mayor stated that the company removes and transports deceased bodies. 

c. Ordinance 2025-010: An Ordinance of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois Granting a Special Use to Allow a “Truck and Repair Business” on the Property in the I-1 (Limited Industry) District. 

Motion by Alderman McGee, second by Alderman Roll for Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-010. 

Ayes: 6 Fahrenwald, McGee, Carr, Roll, Montoya, Ruthenberg 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 1 Johnson 

Abstention: 0 

There being six (6) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

Alderman McGee inquired regarding the business. City Attorney, Erin Blake, indicated that it was for new business. The Mayor also stated that it used to be a truck driving school. 

d. Ordinance 2025-011: The Annual Appropriation Ordinance of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois, for the Fiscal Year beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2025. 

Motion by Alderman Fahrenwald, second by Alderman McGee for Adoption of Ordinance 2025-011. 

Ayes: 6 Fahrenwald, McGee, Carr, Roll, Montoya, Ruthenberg 

 Nays: 0 

Absent: 1 Johnson 

Abstention: 0 

There being six (6) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

City Administrator, Thomas Wogan, reported that the pathway for 2025 would focus on the City's investment in public infrastructure, including the water main lines and water treatment tanks. He noted that this would require an outside source of funding; and so the City would be looking into grants, interest forgivable loans, and bonding. 

Alderman Fahrenwald stated that the general appropriation for property is $3.4 million and the general revenue fund is $25.6 million. He noted that all property owners are paying a lot in property taxes; however, the amount is small compared to the 13% of the overall general budget. We emphasize that the City is not the main culprit for paying high taxes. 

City Administrator, Thomas Wogan, stated that 60 cents of every dollar of property tax goes to the city, while 40% goes to other municipal entities like the library and school districts. The general fund is responsible for the city's operations, and the City spend the majority of its time ensuring that revenues and expenditures are as close as possible in the general fund. 

e. Resolution 2025-007: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois Authorizing a Request for Proposals for the Sale and Disposition of City- Owned Property at 2133 136th Street. 

Motion by Alderman McGee, second by Alderman Fahrenwald for Adoption of Resolution 2025-007. 

Ayes: 6 Fahrenwald, McGee, Carr, Roll, Montoya, Ruthenberg 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 1 Johnson 

Abstention: 0 

There being six (6) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

f. Motion to Approve Release of Claims in Case No 2023 L 011340. 

Motion by Alderman Ruthenberg, second by Alderman McGee for Release of Claims in Case No 2023L 011340. 

Ayes: 6 Fahrenwald, McGee, Carr, Roll, Montoya, Ruthenberg 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 1 Johnson 

Abstention: 0 

There being six (6) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

g. Resolution 2025-008: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois to Authorize and Approve a Proposal with Browntown Communications. 

Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman Montoya for Adoption of Resolution 2025-008. 

Ayes: 6 Fahrenwald, McGee, Carr, Roll, Montoya, Ruthenberg 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 1 Johnson 

Abstention: 0 

There being six (6) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

Alderman McGee complimented the Browns for their dedication to the City of Blue Island; however, he noted that he would like to see cost comparisons for similar companies. 

h. Ordinance 2025-012: An Ordinance Abating the Real Estate Tax Heretofore Levied for the Tax Levy 2024 to Pay the Debt Service on $398,050 of the Waterworks and Sewage Refunding Bond (Alternative Revenue Service), Series 2006, of the City of Blue Island Cook County, Illinois. 

Motion by Alderman Carr, second by Alderman Roll for Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-012. 

Ayes: 6 Fahrenwald, McGee, Carr, Roll, Montoya, Ruthenberg 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 1 Johnson 

Abstention: 0 

There being six (6) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

i. Mayor's Announcements/Comments. 

The Mayor reminded everyone that the swearing in date is 4/28/25. The ceremony will take place in front of City Hall at 5 p.m., and he was hopeful for 100% attendance. 

The Mayor stated that he sent out an email requesting everyone's participation in the Illinois Municipal League's advocacy in relation to former Chairman Mayor DeLuca's "Cities in Towns" initiative, which focuses on returning a higher percentage of income tax to local municipalities. 

9) City Clerk's Announcements/Reports/Comments 

a. City Clerk's Announcements 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, thanked everyone that helped with the Black History celebration in particular the Blue Island Park District, all city departments, Iverson's Bakery and Bacchus. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, encourages everyone to attend the "Coffee with a Cop" on 3/3/25 at the McDonald's on 119th from 8 am to 11 am. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, informed everyone that the City Clerk's office is now accepting Hometown Hero applications. 

10) Treasurer's Report 

a. City Treasurer's Announcements/Comments 

No comment. 

11) City Attorney's Report 

a. City Attorney's Announcements/Comments 

No comment. 

12) City Administrator's Announcements/Reports/Comments 

a. City Administrator's Announcements/Comments 

City Administrator, Thomas Wogan, stated that everyone should receive an email in March regarding the filing of their statement of economic interest and that the email should be answered as soon as possible. 

City Administrator, Thomas Wogan, reminded the Council that the city has worked closely with "Build Up Cook" to cover the cost of a new roof at the East Annex as well as a new chlorine pump, all of which are key components of our water system and infrastructure improvements. Furthermore, we have had sporadic ties with other elements of our inter-governmental relationships, where Cook County and the Cook County Board President Prewinckle is a strong supporter of Blue Island. 

13) Aldermanic Announcements/Reports/Comments 

No Comment. 

14) Adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) to discuss litigation that has been filed and is pending before a court or an administrative tribunal and actions of probable or imminent litigation. 

Motion by Alderman Fahrenwald, second by Alderman Roll to enter Executive Session. 

Ayes: 6 Fahrenwald, McGee, Carr, Roll, Montoya, Ruthenberg 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 1 Johnson 

Abstention: 0 

There being six (6) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman Fahrenwald to Reconvene. 

Ayes: 6 Fahrenwald, McGee, Carr, Roll, Montoya, Ruthenberg 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 1 Johnson 

Abstention: 0 

There being six (6) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

The Mayor stated City Council discussed imminent and current litigation issues during executive session. 

15) Motion for Adjournment 

Motion by Alderman Fahrenwald, second by Alderman Roll to adjourn the regular meeting. 

Ayes: 6 Fahrenwald, McGee, Carr, Roll, Montoya, Ruthenberg 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 1 Johnson 

Abstention: 0 

There being six (6) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

The meeting was adjourned 8:07 p.m. 

The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled March 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

https://blueisland.org/wp-content/uploads/government/city-council/city-council-agenda-minutes/City-Council-Minutes-2-25-2025.pdf