Elwood public meetings in 2025

Finance Committee

The Elwood Finance Committee will review unpaid invoices due January 7, 2026, and paid invoices from late November and December 2025. The committee will also review the November 2025 monthly financial report.

• Review unpaid invoice report due 01/07/2026
• Review paid invoice report for 11/25/2025 thru 12/29/2025
• Review November 2025 monthly financial report

The committee approved the October 28, 2025 meeting minutes. It voted to forward the unpaid invoice report ($257,466.22) and the paid invoice report ($95,644.72) to the Village Board for consideration on January 7, 2026. The November 2025 monthly financial report was also sent to the Board. The meeting was then adjourned.

• Approved October 28, 2025 minutes (motion carried)
• Approved sending unpaid invoice report ($257,466.22) to Village Board (motion carried)
• Approved sending paid invoice report ($95,644.72) to Village Board (motion carried)
• Approved sending November 2025 monthly financial report to Village Board (motion carried)
• Adjourned meeting (motion carried)

Village Board

The Elwood Village Board will review financial reports, consider a 2025 property tax levy, and discuss property and liability insurance for 2026-2027. The meeting includes a closed session to discuss specific employee matters, collective bargaining, and real estate transactions.

• Consideration of 2025 Property Tax Levy ordinance
• Consideration of Property and Liability Insurance 2026-2027 proposal
• Presentation of unpaid invoices totaling $253,115.39
• Closed session to discuss employee appointments and collective bargaining
• Closed session to discuss real estate purchase and litigation

The Village Board approved the consent agenda, the 2025 property tax levy of $913,168, and the liability insurance contract for 2026‑2027 costing $268,729. The board also confirmed Mary Mangun's four‑year appointment to the Park and Recreation Committee. The meeting was adjourned after the votes were taken.

• Approved Consent Agenda (6‑0)
• Approved 2025 Property Tax Levy of $913,168 (6‑0)
• Approved liability insurance proposal for 2026‑2027 at $268,729 (5‑0)
• Confirmed appointment of Mary Mangun to Park and Recreation Committee (5‑0)
• Adjourned meeting (motion carried)

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee meeting scheduled for November 25, 2025, was canceled. The agenda consisted of procedural boilerplate items.

Parks & Recreation Committee

The Parks & Recreation Committee will review minutes from September 2025 and discuss upcoming events, including the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor and Halloween activities. The next meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2026.

• Review of September 24, 2025 minutes
• Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor event review
• Halloween event review
• Next meeting set for January 28, 2026

Village Board

The Elwood Village Board will review the 2025 property tax levy and consider a collective bargaining agreement with the police union. The meeting also includes routine consent agenda items and a closed session to discuss personnel and real estate.

• Approval of 2025 Property Tax Levy
• Police union collective bargaining agreement
• Purchase of 500-ton road salt
• Authorization to buy public safety vehicle
• Closed session for personnel and real estate

The Elwood Village Board approved the consent agenda, a water and wastewater services contract, and a $49,310 road‑salt purchase. It adopted the 2026 meeting schedule and approved a police collective bargaining agreement. The board also authorized purchases of a copy machine, an all‑terrain police vehicle, and language‑translation software.

• Consent agenda approved (5-0)
• Approved water & wastewater contract $9,960 per month (5-0)
• Approved purchase of 500 tons road salt $49,310.00 (5-0)
• Adopted 2026 regular meeting schedule (5-0)
• Approved police collective bargaining agreement (5-0)
• Approved police copy machine purchase $14,099.24 (5-0)
• Approved police ATV purchase $24,995.00 (5-0)
• Approved language‑translation software purchase $26,951.97 (5-0)

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will review the September 2025 monthly financial report. Members will also review and provide recommendations on unpaid invoices dated 11/05/2025 and paid invoices from September 23 through October 27, 2025.

• Unpaid Invoice Report dated 11/05/2025
• Paid Invoice Reports for 09/23/2025 thru 09/30/2025 and 10/02/2025 thru 10/27/2025
• September 2025 Monthly Financial Report

The committee approved the September 23, 2025 meeting minutes. It voted to send the unpaid invoice report ($329,553.74), the paid invoice report ($1,609,154.25), and the September 2025 monthly financial report to the Village Board for consideration on November 5, 2025. The meeting was then adjourned.

• Approved September 23, 2025 minutes (motion carried)
• Sent unpaid invoice report ($329,553.74) to Village Board (motion carried)
• Sent paid invoice report ($1,609,154.25) to Village Board (motion carried)
• Sent September 2025 monthly financial report to Village Board (motion carried)
• Adjourned meeting (motion carried)

Village Board

The Elwood Village Board will approve routine bills totaling $251,607.72 and consider purchasing bulk rock salt using motor fuel tax funds. The meeting will also include a closed session to discuss personnel, collective bargaining, and real estate matters.

• Approval of bills totaling $251,607.72
• Consideration to purchase bulk rock salt with motor fuel tax funds
• Review of August 2025 financial report
• Consideration of Halloween Trick or Treat hours
• Closed session to discuss personnel and real estate

The Village Board approved the Consent Agenda, including paid and unpaid invoice reports. It adopted a resolution to purchase bulk rock salt and calcium chloride for $66,000 with Motor Fuel Tax funds. The Board also approved a $4,500 holiday food basket donation, a $500 sponsorship for the Elwood Baseball & Softball Association, and set Halloween Trick‑or‑Treat hours for Oct 31, 2025.

• Approved Consent Agenda (paid invoices $77,373.27, unpaid invoices $174,235.45) – vote 6‑0
• Approved Resolution to purchase bulk rock salt and calcium chloride with Motor Fuel Tax Funds for $66,000 – vote 6‑0
• Approved $4,500 holiday food basket donation (50% cost share) – vote 6‑0
• Approved $500 Elwood Baseball & Softball Association 2026 sponsorship – vote 5‑0‑1 (abstain)
• Approved Halloween Trick‑or‑Treat hours on Oct 31, 2025, 3 pm‑7 pm – vote 6‑0

Parks & Recreation Committee

The Parks & Recreation Committee will consider the minutes from the July 23, 2025 meeting. It will review several upcoming events, including the Elwood Community Days, the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor, Halloween volunteer needs, the Holiday Parade volunteer needs, and History Club meetings. No decisions or approvals are indicated in the agenda.

• Consideration of minutes from July 23, 2025 meeting
• Review of Elwood Community Days event
• Review of Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor event
• Review of Halloween volunteer needs
• Review of Holiday Parade volunteer needs

The Park and Recreation Committee approved the minutes from the July 23, 2025 meeting. All members present voted in favor of the motion. The committee then adjourned the meeting with a unanimous vote. No other substantive actions were decided.

• Approved July 23, 2025 Park & Rec meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

Finance Committee

The Elwood Finance Committee will review the minutes from the June 24, 2025 meeting. It will examine an unpaid invoice report dated October 1, 2025 and recommend action. It will also review paid invoice reports covering August 29‑September 2, 2025 and September 4‑22, 2025, and the August 2025 financial report. Public comments will be heard before adjournment.

• Presentation of Minutes – 06/24/2025 meetings
• Unpaid Invoice Report – 10/01/2025 (review and recommendation)
• Paid Invoice Report for 08/29/2025‑09/02/2025 and 09/04/2025‑09/22/2025 (review and recommendation)
• Monthly Financial Report – August 2025 (review and recommendation)
• Public Comments

The committee approved the June 24, 2025 meeting minutes. It voted to send the unpaid invoice report ($147,317.59), the paid invoice report ($77,373.27), and the August 2025 financial report to the Village Board for consideration on October 8, 2025. The meeting was then adjourned.

• Approved June 24, 2025 minutes (motion carried)
• Sent unpaid invoice report ($147,317.59) to Village Board (motion carried)
• Sent paid invoice report ($77,373.27) to Village Board (motion carried)
• Sent August 2025 monthly financial report to Village Board (motion carried)
• Adjourned meeting (motion carried)

Village Board

The Elwood Village Board approved the consent agenda and granted a variance for a 185‑sq‑ft illuminated wall sign at 21012 W. Mississippi Avenue. It also adopted a special tax levy of $1,051,235 for Special Service Area #1 for tax year 2025. Additionally, the board approved tax abatements for the 2010A and 2023 bond series, removing $328,905 and $1,325,625 respectively from property tax bills.

• Approved Consent Agenda (5-0)
• Approved variance for illuminated wall sign at 21012 W. Mississippi Ave (5-0)
• Approved special tax levy in SSA #1 for 2025, $1,051,235 (5-0)
• Approved abatement of tax for 2010A bonds, $328,905.00 (5-0)
• Approved abatement of tax for 2023 bonds, $1,325,625.00 (5-0)

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee meeting scheduled for August 26, 2025, was cancelled. The agenda consisted of procedural items including the review of unpaid and paid invoice reports and the July 2025 financial report.

Village Board

The Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, which included paid invoice reports for June and July and an unpaid invoice total of $793,602.73. Trustees approved a $750 donation for the Elwood Beautification Project. The Board also approved a $41,500 contract for Phase 1 engineering, project planning, and site evaluation for a new water tower, and a $38,845 purchase of two roof‑top units for Building 2 of the water/wastewater treatment plant. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote.

• Approved Consent Agenda (including invoice reports) – unanimous (4‑0)
• Approved $750 Beautification Project donation – unanimous (4‑0)
• Approved Water Tower Design Phase 1 Engineering, Project Plan, and Siting Evaluation Proposal – $41,500 – unanimous (4‑0)
• Approved purchase of two roof‑top units for Building 2 of the water/wastewater treatment plant – $38,845 – unanimous (4‑0)
• Motion to adjourn the meeting – unanimous (4‑0)

Parks & Recreation Committee

The Park and Recreation Committee voted to approve the minutes from the May 28, 2025 meeting, with all members present voting in favor. No other substantive actions were approved, denied, or tabled. The meeting was then adjourned.

• Approved May 28, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous vote)

Village Board

The board approved the consent agenda, which included the June 4, 2025 minutes, paid invoice reports of $2,780.28 and $76,916.72, and an unpaid invoice report of $159,807.38. Trustees approved a $1,000 donation to the Will County Center for Community Concerns. The board voted to enter a closed session to discuss collective bargaining and then reconvened the open session. The meeting was adjourned.

• Approved Consent Agenda (minutes, paid invoices $2,780.28 & $76,916.72, unpaid invoice $159,807.38) – unanimous yes
• Approved $1,000 donation to Will County Center for Community Concerns – unanimous yes
• Approved motion to enter Closed Session on collective bargaining – unanimous yes
• Approved motion to reconvene Open Session – unanimous yes
• Approved motion to adjourn the meeting – unanimous yes

Finance Committee

The committee approved the March 25, 2025 minutes as presented. It voted to forward the unpaid invoice report of $155,222.08 to the Village Board. It also voted to forward the paid invoice report of $79,697.00 and the April 2025 monthly financial report to the Board. All motions carried.

• Approved March 25, 2025 minutes (motion carried)
• Approved sending unpaid invoice report ($155,222.08) to Village Board (motion carried)
• Approved sending paid invoice report ($79,697.00) to Village Board (motion carried)
• Approved sending April 2025 monthly financial report to Village Board (motion carried)
• Adjourned meeting (motion carried)

Planning and Zoning Commission

The commission voted to approve the minutes of the September 24, 2024 meeting. A motion to adjourn the June 24, 2025 meeting was also carried. The commission reported that it is canceling professional fee agreements with Midwest Industrial and Dayton Street Industrial and returning their security deposits. No other substantive policy decisions were made.

• Approved September 24, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous vote)
• Adjourned the June 24, 2025 meeting (motion carried)
• Cancelled Professional Fee Agreements with Midwest Industrial and Dayton Street Industrial, returning deposits
• Amended Ordinance 1096 to increase Class B liquor licenses from one to two

Village Board

The board approved the consent agenda, adopted prevailing wage rates, and allocated $433,374.38 in grant and local funds for a salt‑dome facility. It also extended Police Chief Fred Hayes’ employment contract through May 1 2029, approved a $48,012 purchase of a new police vehicle, adopted an ordinance to dispose of two surplus vehicles, and confirmed Doug Mytnik’s appointment to the Finance Committee.

• Approved Consent Agenda (all six trustees voted yes)
• Adopted Prevailing Wage Resolution for public works (all six trustees voted yes)
• Adopted Supplemental Resolution allocating $433,374.38 for salt dome facility (all six trustees voted yes)
• Approved Police Chief Fred Hayes employment agreement extension to May 1 2029 (all six trustees voted yes)
• Approved purchase of 2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility for $48,012 (all six trustees voted yes)
• Adopted Ordinance declaring surplus of two vehicles for disposal (all six trustees voted yes)
• Approved appointment of Doug Mytnik to Finance Committee (all six trustees voted yes)

Parks & Recreation Committee

The committee unanimously approved the November 20, 2024 Parks & Recreation meeting minutes. The village decided not to implement the proposed BMX track in Lloyd Ericson Park because it would be too close to the walking path. Committee member Theresa Walsh will host a weekly Pickleball session at O’Connor Park on Mondays from 5 pm to 7 pm.

• Approved November 20, 2024 Parks & Recreation minutes (unanimous)
• Decided not to implement BMX track in Lloyd Ericson Park
• Committee member Walsh to host weekly Pickleball at O’Connor Park (5‑7 pm)

Village Board

The Elwood Village Board approved a series of actions, including amending the ordinance to allow two Class B liquor licenses, awarding a $184,750 water‑meter replacement contract to Calumet City Plumbing, and renewing the village engineering services contract. The board also approved the consent agenda, the 2025‑2026 insurance renewal, and decided park restroom facilities will only be opened for rented events. All motions were adopted unanimously.

• Amended Ordinance 1096 to increase Class B liquor licenses from 1 to 2 (unanimous yes)
• Awarded Water Meter Replacement Program contract to Calumet City Plumbing for $184,750 (unanimous yes)
• Renewed Baxter & Woodman Engineering Services contract through April 30, 2026 (unanimous yes)
• Approved 2025‑2026 Alliant Mesirow insurance renewal with 11.35% rate increase (unanimous yes)
• Approved Consent Agenda including minutes and invoice reports (unanimous yes)
• Decided park restroom facilities will be open only when a park is rented or an event is held (no vote)
• Proclaimed National Public Works Week (May 18‑24, 2025) and other community weeks (no vote)
• Acknowledged grant secured for security cameras in Lloyd Erickson Park (review only, no vote)

Village Board

The Board approved the consent agenda and adopted the Ordinance approving the village’s 2025‑2026 annual budget. It authorized a resolution to purchase 250 tons of bulk rock salt and approved the Supervisor of Public Works position. The Board entered a closed session, reconvened the open session, and then adjourned the meeting.

• Approved Consent Agenda (all trustees present voted yes)
• Adopted Ordinance approving the 2025‑2026 annual budget (President Jenco and all four trustees voted yes)
• Authorized purchase of 250 tons of bulk rock salt (Trustees Schmidt, Maas, Bertucci, Eastman voted yes)
• Approved Supervisor of Public Works position (Trustees Schmidt, Maas, Bertucci, Eastman voted yes)
• Entered closed session to discuss personnel matters (President Jenco and all four trustees voted yes)
• Reopened open session (vote in favor)
• Adjourned meeting (vote in favor)

Finance Committee

The committee approved the December 17, 2024 meeting minutes. It voted to send the unpaid invoice report of $139,572.17 to the Village Board. It also sent the paid invoice report of $50,437.14 and the monthly financial report to the Board. The meeting was then adjourned.

• Approved December 17, 2024 minutes (motion carried)
• Sent unpaid invoice report ($139,572.17) to Village Board (motion carried)
• Sent paid invoice report ($50,437.14) to Village Board (motion carried)
• Sent monthly financial report to Village Board (motion carried)
• Adjourned meeting (motion carried)