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Chicago Heights, Illinois

Chicago Heights public meetings in 2025

19 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.

Wed Dec 17, 2025

City Council

City Council to vote on bond tax abatements and drone system purchase

The City Council will consider ordinances regarding tax abatements for general obligation bonds and a special use permit for a home day care. The body will also review insurance policies and roadway improvement projects.

taxeszoningpublic-safetyroadsinsurancereal-estate
✓ Decided: City Council approved a $285,311 purchase of a drone first‑responder system.

The council approved the minutes from the Dec. 3 meeting and the second run of December 2025 bills. It adopted ordinances that abated real‑estate taxes for debt service on two bond series and denied a special‑use permit for a home daycare at 628 West 15th St. Several resolutions were approved, including insurance premiums, a drone first‑responder purchase, sale of surplus city property, a roadway improvement project, and settlement of a civil litigation case.

Wed Dec 3, 2025

City Council

Council approves 2025 tax levy for corporate and special purposes

The council will vote on the 2025 tax levy for corporate and special funds. It will also consider an amendment to business license regulations, a software security subscription for the water department, and agreements to sell surplus city real estate. Additional items include disposal of two fire department ambulances and administration of oaths for newly hired and promoted firefighters.

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✓ Decided: City Council approved a $21.4M tax levy for corporate and special purposes

The council approved the 2025‑2026 tax levy of $21,415,994 for corporate and special purposes. It also adopted an amendment to business‑license requirements, a $1,125 software‑security contract for the water department, an option to sell surplus commercial property at 10 East Joe Orr Road, disposal of two surplus fire ambulances, and an omnibus resolution to sell and redevelop surplus residential real estate. New firefighters and promotions were sworn in during the meeting.

Wed Nov 19, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council approved ADA plan, water pump purchase, electric supply and police camera agreements

The Chicago Heights City Council approved the meeting minutes and the second run of bills. It adopted the ADA Transition Plan, authorized a $58,363 purchase of a new main pump for the State Street Water Pumping Station, approved participation in NIMEC’s electric supply bidding process, and approved a three‑year maintenance agreement with Motorola Solutions for police license‑plate‑reader cameras. All motions passed unanimously.

Wed Nov 5, 2025

City Council

City Council to authorize loans and approve real estate redevelopment agreements.

The Chicago Heights City Council will consider authorizing a loan for a lead water line replacement project and approve multiple agreements to induce the sale and redevelopment of city-owned commercial and industrial properties. The meeting will also include a presentation on the city's ADA transition plan and the posting of the tentative tax levy for the upcoming fiscal year.

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✓ Decided: Council authorized a $2.5 million loan for lead water line replacement

The City Council approved the October 15 minutes and the November bills, then authorized a $2,500,000 loan for the lead water line replacement project. It also approved four property sale and redevelopment agreements, awarded a $929,827.98 bid for the water‑meter exchange program, and settled a civil litigation case. All motions passed unanimously with Alderman Rodgers absent.

Wed Oct 15, 2025

City Council

Council approves CDBG roadway agreement and concrete contract for pavement work

The City Council will vote on two resolutions. The first approves a subrecipient agreement for the 2025‑2026 CDBG roadway improvement project covering Parkside Street and Union Avenue. The second approves a proposal from J & J Newell Concrete Contractors, Inc. to complete the city's fall pavement restoration project.

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✓ Decided: City approves $300,000 CDBG roadway improvement sub‑recipient agreement

The council approved the minutes from the October 1 meeting and the second‑run October bills. It also approved a sub‑recipient agreement for the city’s 2025‑2026 CDBG roadway improvement project, funded by a $300,000 Cook County grant. Additionally, the council approved a $92,300 contract with J & J Newell Concrete Contractors for fall pavement restoration.

Wed Oct 1, 2025

City Council

City Council to consider EV charging stations and fire department technology

The City Council will vote on several intergovernmental agreements and equipment purchases. The meeting includes decisions on infrastructure for electric vehicles and water meter replacements.

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✓ Decided: City Council adjourned the meeting unanimously

The council voted to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Smith moved the motion, Alderman Rodgers seconded it, and all five present aldermen voted aye. No other matters were decided.

Wed Sep 17, 2025

City Council

City Council approves new ambulances, utility appointment, and real‑estate sales

The Chicago Heights City Council will vote on a series of ordinances and resolutions, including a water‑administration code amendment and a mayoral appointment of a Superintendent of Public Utilities. It will also approve purchases for the fire department—two new ambulances and power‑stretcher lifts—and agreements to sell and redevelop surplus commercial properties on Western Avenue and Hanover Street. Additional items include approvals of reports, water‑meter programs, and a sewer‑point repair bid.

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✓ Decided: City Council created Superintendent of Public Utilities and appointed Craig Blanchette

The council approved an ordinance amending Chapter 43 to replace the Water Commissioner role with a newly created Superintendent of Public Utilities. They also confirmed the mayor’s appointment of Craig Blanchette to that new position. In addition, the council approved multiple purchases and contracts, including two new fire‑department ambulances, power‑stretcher lifts, the sale and redevelopment of surplus commercial properties on Western Avenue and Hanover Street, and funding for water‑meter and sewer projects.

Wed Sep 3, 2025

City Council

City Council to vote on gas station permit denial and property sales

The City Council will consider several resolutions regarding property use and infrastructure. Key items include a zoning decision for a gas station and an option agreement for surplus industrial property.

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✓ Decided: City Council denies gas station permit and approves multiple city projects

The council denied a special‑use permit for a gas station at 11 East 14th Street. It also approved several resolutions, including a tax‑classification renewal, a water‑leak survey, an option agreement for surplus property, an IDOT sidewalk/culvert LOU, and a consulting‑engineer contract. Additionally, the council approved the September‑3 bill payments totaling $2,588,773.83.

Wed Aug 20, 2025

City Council

City Council to discuss vehicle impound ordinance, business licenses, and police software.

The Chicago Heights City Council will consider amending vehicle impoundment rules, approving a subdivision plat for the Bethel Housing Redevelopment Project, and authorizing the purchase of data collection software for the police department. The meeting will also address several business license hardship agreements and the appointment of a special engineer.

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✓ Decided: Council approved multiple ordinances and a police data software contract

The City Council approved the minutes from the August 6 meeting and a $467,474.39 bill package. It adopted an amendment to the vehicle impoundment ordinance and approved a subdivision plat for the Bethel Housing redevelopment. The council also approved several economic‑development resolutions, including a purchase option for Country Squire Foods, a Class 8 tax classification for A&S Sambo, LLC, and a data‑collection software contract for the police department. One resolution to appoint a special engineer was tabled.

Wed Aug 6, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: City Council approved multiple budgets, ordinances and a $1.03M road contract

The council approved the July 2 meeting minutes and authorized several financial items, including bill payments totaling over $2.3 million. It adopted an ordinance amending the municipal grocery retail occupation tax and approved a $148,000 engineering services contract for the State Street water main replacement. The body also approved property and business‑license agreements that will generate additional tax revenue, and awarded a $1,034,429.42 contract to Iroquois Paving for roadway improvements. All motions passed with five ayes and no nays, with two members absent.

Wed Jul 16, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: City Council approved $96,882.38 road‑sewer repair bid and several ordinances

The council approved the minutes from the July 2, 2025 meeting. It adopted an appropriations ordinance for fiscal year 2025‑2026, a noise‑regulation ordinance, a resolution to donate a surplus lot to the Southland Equity Initiative, and a resolution renewing a Class 6B tax incentive for MZG Associates II, LLC. The council also approved a $96,882.38 bid award for the 2025 roadway sewer point repair project and then adjourned the meeting.

Wed Jul 2, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: City Council approved multiple ordinances, a $600K housing grant, and a land lease

The council approved three ordinances regulating noise, fireworks, and truck‑parking fees, and adopted bills totaling $795,173.39. It also approved a $600,000 grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority for home‑repair programs and a 25‑year lease of surplus industrial land at 549 East 21774 Street for $5,000 per month. All motions carried with six ayes and no nays; Alderman Perez was absent.

Wed Jun 18, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council approved $2.97M bid for State Street water main replacement

The Chicago Heights City Council approved a $2,973,107 bid to Airy's, Inc. for the State Street water main replacement project. It also approved an ordinance amending donation drop‑box licensing, the sale of surplus residential property at 203 W. 15th Street, and the disposal of surplus city vehicles. All motions passed unanimously.

Wed Jun 4, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: City Council approved a $2.27 M road improvement contract for Barbara and Piacenti Lanes.

The council approved a $2,275,310.14 bid award to Davis Concrete Construction for a CDBG roadway improvement project in the Barbara and Piacenti Lanes areas. It also approved several other items, including the meeting minutes, a $977,495.17 bill payment, a tobacco‑license ordinance limiting licenses to 27, additional IHDA grant funds, temporary road closures for the Independence Day parade, and business‑license hardship agreements for two local businesses. All motions passed unanimously with Alderman Perez absent.

Wed May 21, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: City Council approves multiple property sales, audit contract and litigation settlement

The council unanimously approved the meeting minutes and a $1,993,529.51 bill package. It also approved several property sale and redevelopment agreements, two business‑license hardship agreements, a professional audit services contract, and a settlement of civil litigation.

Wed May 7, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council approved economic incentive for Morgan Li Warehouse redevelopment

The Chicago Heights City Council approved a series of ordinances and resolutions, including an economic incentive agreement with JROARO, LLC to redevelop the Morgan Li Warehouse at 1001 Washington Street. The council also approved the sale and redevelopment of several city‑owned properties, a collective bargaining agreement for police detention aides, and a $3.3 million water main replacement project on State Street. All motions carried with six votes in favor and none against.

Wed Apr 16, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council approved $2.06 M in bills and multiple resolutions

The Chicago Heights City Council approved $2,055,898.46 in bills and a series of resolutions covering a fire pumper purchase, pavement restoration, roadway improvement, property acquisition, tax classification renewals, and a fireworks ordinance amendment. All motions passed unanimously with six members voting aye and no nays.

Wed Apr 2, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council approves sale and redevelopment of two city-owned residential properties

The Chicago Heights City Council unanimously approved several resolutions, including the sale and redevelopment of surplus residential properties at 214 East 22nd Street and 240 East 22nd Street. It also approved agreements for other surplus commercial properties, a license agreement for a lot at 1441 Emerald Avenue, and an ordinance updating the fire prevention code. All motions carried with all present members voting aye.

Wed Mar 19, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: City Council approved sale and redevelopment of commercial property on West Lincoln Highway

The council approved several resolutions, including the sale of two abandoned residential properties and the sale and redevelopment of a commercial site at 560 & 570 West Lincoln Highway and 574 W. 147 Place. It also approved a business‑license hardship agreement for Two Amigos Autobody and funding applications for roadway improvements and the Invest in Cook grant. All motions passed unanimously.