From Flooding Prevention to Festivals: Cicero Town Board's First-Quarter Recap
Screenshot from Cicero Independiente’s video recording of the March 10, 2026, meeting, showing a Chicago resident presenting on the use of highway signs and requesting that the Board contact the Illinois Department of Transportation to install standard green name signs identifying Cicero near state-run highways, including I-55 and Route 66/Ogden Avenue. During the discussion, President Larry Dominick noted that he had received five to six letters from the resident, forwarded two of those letters to the State, and sent one to the Cicero Public Works Department.
By Jonathan Torres
In the First 3 months of 2026, the Town of Cicero Board of Trustees with President Larry Dominick met twice a month to discuss Town matters. Stemming from Town Code amendments, updates on large town projects, and the approval of agreements and contracts. Items include new afterschool programs for middle and high school students, home repair programs to combat flooding and major alley repair initiatives to improve stormwater management.
ORDINANCES
AMENDMENTS TO CICERO TOWN CODE
In mid January, The Town Board passed an ordinance adding a new stormwater utility fee for commercial and industrial properties. The Town estimated that it needed an additional $1.5m in annual revenue to pay the anticipated costs to operate and maintain the its sewer and stormwater system.
According to the mid January agenda, officials expect increases in stormwater runoff coming from impervious surfaces, such as parking lots, buildings and other paved areas that do not readily allow water to absorb into the ground or drain into the sewer system.
The additional fee is calculated using equivalent runoff units (ERUs), where 1,897 square feet of impervious surface equals one ERU. Each ERU would equal $4.84 per month.
Residential properties are not subject to the new pay. Homeowners will continue to pay a flat sewer service fee of $26.59 bimonthly. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities homeowners 62 years and older will get a 35% reduction.
Two months later, at a March Stormwater Advisory Committee meeting, Pedro Ortiz ,a Senior Engineer from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, explained that a core issue Cicero faces is its combined sewer system. Meaning stormwater and waste water run through the same pipes, overwhelming the system when heavy rain falls.
UPDATED FINES FOR FLEEING AND ELUDING OFFENSES
The Town Board also made changes to the code regarding fleeing and eluding vehicle seizure fines in late February. Originally, fines ranged from $5,000 - $10,000. Now, flat fees include $5,000 for a first violation, $10,000 for a second and $20,000 for subsequent violations.
TOWN SET TO ADOPT NEW FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS
In March, they also updated the Town’s building codes and fire codes to adopt the new 2024 International Fire Code standards, which include standards for automatic fire sprinkler systems. The changes require most buildings larger than 1,500 square feet, excluding single-family homes, to install sprinkler systems, with warehouses that have high ceilings required to use more advanced systems. Even buildings without sprinklers must install an approved automatic fire alarm system.
PERMITS AND LEASES
The Board in January also approved a special use permit for a new early childhood center at 1630 S. 59th Avenue, the previous location of Daniel Burnham Elementary School. The plan included the demolition of Burnham, which occurred earlier this year, due to the building being outdated, according to Cicero School District 99.
VEHICLE EMISSIONS TESTING AND INSPECTION
In February, the Town approved an ordinance to lease the Cicero Community Park parking lot located on west 34th St, to perform vehicle emissions testing, provided by Opus Inspection Technologies, Inc. and vehicle registration renewal services for Cicero residents.
According to the agenda, the Town hopes to provide a more convenient location for residents to get vehicle registration services.
Scheduled dates and times:
Week of July 6: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Week of August 10: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Week of October 26: Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Week of December 14: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
YOUTH AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
In early January, the Town of Cicero approved a Community Development Block Grant agreement with Cicero School District 99 to fund after-school programming for elementary and middle school students, with a total award of $25,000.
The program, called UNIFY Fridays, will provide a safe, supervised space for students every Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. According to the project summary, those hours represent a peak window for youth violence in the community.
The program aims to “fill crucial unsupervised hours with structured activities that build social, problem-solving, and emotional regulation skills while strengthening school readiness and academic achievement.”
“By providing protective factors proven to disrupt pathways to violence—especially for low-income and minority youth. UNIFY Fridays reduce the risk of both perpetration and victimization, helping children reach their full potential,” the summary states.
Organizers plan to serve between 80 and 120 students and their families. The program will take place at Unity Junior High School.
During public comment Blanca Vargas, one of the Town’s trustees, expressed concerns over young adults in Cicero, who are in need of guidance— noting that the town has had “bad publicitypublicly” in the news.
In late January the town and the Cicero school district also approved to a reading club at 11 different schools for the 2025/2026 school year:
Goodwin Elementary School
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
Sherlock Elementary School
Warren Park School
Cicero East Elementary School
Cicero West Elementary School
Columbus East & West Elementary
Liberty Elementary School
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
Drexel Elementary School
Unity Junior High School
VEHICLE STICKER RENEWAL TIME EXTENSION
In February, the Town passed to have Town Hall temporarily opened on Saturdays starting this Upcoming June to extend the time period for residents to renew their vehicle stickers. Vehicle stickers for residents expire on June 30 of this year.
TOWN OF CICERO 2026 BUDGET
In March, the Board approved an annual appropriation ordinance to set the maximum amounts the Town’s entire budget may be allocated across various departments and corporate funds. The total Spending limit for the 2026 Fiscal year was $230,224,192.
RESOLUTIONS
TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND ELECTRICAL STREET LIGHT REPAIRS
In mid January, the Board of trustees approved an agreement authorizing the services of Frank Novotny and Associates to continue the Town’s 2025 motor fuel tax maintenance project— a project that plans to maintain traffic signals and electrical street lighting and other related construction efforts. The total cost for the maintenance was $599,200 for the traffic signal maintenance and street lighting.
LARAMIE AVENUE BRIDGE INSPECTION
The Board also approved another agreement In January with Frank Novotny and Associates to provide engineering services for a required inspection of the Laramie Avenue Bridge, an inspection required by the National Bridge inspection Standards. According to the agenda, the bridge was known for “defects”, some of which were substructure units “have noticeable deterioration”.
The total cost of inspection was $31,950.
HOME REPAIR PROGRAM
In 2023, the Town was awarded $1.7 million through an Illinois home repair assistance program— which awards municipalities to help homeowners with home repair projects, increased to $3.1 million in early 2025. The grant required most funds to be committed by September 2025, but officials in January said some projects were not completed in time.
The state extended the deadline by one year to September 2026 while reducing the total grant by $300,000. Despite the cut, officials say the program remains on track to complete repairs on 40 homes.
GRANT FOR ALLEY REPAIRS
In March, the Town Board approved a $200,000 grant agreement with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to help fund the Town’s Green Alley Paving Project, aiming to repair deteriorated alleys and improve stormwater management. The agreement sets a two year timeline from December 2025 to November 2027 to complete the project.
The project would benefit over 85,000 residents, according to the agenda.
In that same March Cicero Stormwater meeting, Pedro Ortiz, a Senior Engineer, estimated the total cost for three green alleys would be $790,000 with MWRD committing more than half of the cost, with construction to begin this year. The committee also mentioned another seven alleys from another $500,000 DCEO grant for green alley paving.
Ortiz expressed that though projects like the green alley program won’t eliminate flooding entirely, they can help “take the load off the entire system.”
$96M FLOOD GRANT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS
In March, the Town Board approved an agreement with ICF Incorporated, LLC. to help manage a portion of the Town’s federal flood recovery funds. Help will include providing oversight, planning and infrastructure support for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program over a six year time frame.
Cicero also approved a similar agreement with ICF Incorporated LLC to manage housing related programs. ICF will help the Town run housing rehabilitation programs by processing applications and overseeing repairs— including a backflow program to prevent sewer backups in the future. According to the agenda the Town expects to assist up to 3,500 homeowners. The contracts would cost $4.6m in total
PERMEABLE ALLEYS
The Town Board also approved a $9.3m dollar contract with Engineering Resource Associates to oversee large scale stormwater projects and support to 35 town blocks of permeable alleys. All within a 6 year period. According to the agenda, the Town hopes to complete said projects within 5 years to meet funding timelines.
Pending CDBG-DR funding appropriation, the Town also plans to construct around 40 permeable alleys, according to Cicero’s Stormwater Advisory Committee. In total, committee officials said Cicero expects roughly 50 permeable alleys across the aforementioned programs over the next five to six years.
HOLIDAY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
In January, the Town’s Holiday Food Assistance Program purchased gift cards for eligible residents to help cover the cost of holiday meals. The program bought 4,000 gift cards from Tony’s Fresh Market for Easter 2026, each valued at $15. The Town received a 20% discount, reducing the cost to $12 per card, for a total expenditure of $48,000.
WATER AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM
The Town in February also approved a resolution to enter into the Cook County Water Affordability Program— which provides funding to towns, like Cicero, to help eligible residents with overdue bills, late fees forgiven and restoring water services that may have been shut off. To join the program, residents must live on the property with a residential and water utility account with past due payments. Residents may also be able apply if they meet income requirements.
PACE BUS SERVICES
The Town of Cicero also approved an agreement with Pace Suburban Bus to continue providing transportation services for seniors and residents with disabilities. The Town requested four 12-passenger vans to offer free rides for eligible residents to medical appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores, and other essential errands. The service will operate Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m, to 4 p.m,, and on Sunday from 7 a.m, to 3 p.m.
POLICE DEPARTMENT SPENDING
The Cicero Police Department in early February approved the purchase of ammunition and other training supplies from Target Sports USA to support department training, according to the meeting agenda. The spending was capped at $25,000. However no related document was provided to know what exactly was purchased.
The Town also approved a resolution to approve a new award program for Police Department officers. One officer will be selected each quarter and receive a $2,000 stipend, along with recognition at a board meeting— with also one officer being named Officer of the Year awarded with a $5,000 stipend. For both awards, various department heads nominate officers, with the Cicero Town President making the final selection.
EVENT AND FESTIVAL SPENDING
In February, The Town Board approved a deal with Klandestino Entertainment, Inc. to handle staging, sound, lighting, and music for several 2026 festivals In Cicero— like Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Independence Day, and Houby Fest, with total costs expected to stay under $230,000.
And in March, the Town Board also approved an agreement with ADB Entertainment, Inc. to provide tents, lighting, sound, LED screens, and power setup for several 2026 festivals and events in Cicero. Events include Cinco de Mayo, Fiestas Patrias and Houby Fest. For their services, the total cost of $128,600.
RESIDENT COMMENTS
In early January, Maria Punzo-Arias, Cicero’s Town Clerk, asked for clarification regarding the 96 million dollar grant that was issued to the Town in 2023, after being under the impression that the Town “had already spent the money”.
Tom Tomschin, the Executive Director of the Town’s Housing Department, replied that they were now in the “implementation phase”, stating that they continue to work on policies, procedures for programs and were looking to start seeking applicants for said programs.
“The Town has not spent any money for the grant.” Tomschin said.
In a later Town Board meeting in late March, Gerardo N., a resident of Cicero— raised concerns over multiple alleged sexual harassment lawsuits within the Cicero Police Department that have been filed.
Halfway through his comment he was seen sticking the motherfinger to President Dommick. Once his three minutes were up, he was escorted away by two Cicero Police Officers.
“He’s an idiot and a moron,” President Larry Dominick said promptly after Gerardo exited.
“He can come and see me anytime he wants.” Dominick added. “He can bring his bodyguard if he needs one. I don't need one.”
Thomas Boyle, the Superintendent of Cicero Police, stated that the Department has not received no sexual harassment complaints/ or settled any litigation.
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Jonathan Torres is a Mexican-American journalist from the South Side of Chicago. He hopes to continue reporting in the Cicero/Berwyn area, bringing the communities together one article at a time.
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