Opinion Editorial: Another Term for Dominick, Continued Fight for Accountability in Cicero
As Dominick secures his sixth term, resident’s concerns over transparency, budget allocation, and flood relief funding concerns continue to grow.
Larry Dominick won reelection as Cicero town president, a position he has held since 2005, and celebrated on election night at Paisan Pizzeria on Ogden Avenue. A spokesperson for Dominick’s team told Cicero Independiente over the phone that the celebration was a private election watch party at his home in Cicero on Feb. 25, 2025. Sebastian Hidalgo/ Cicero Independiente
By Jesus J. Montero
Journalism has long been the pulse of public discourse, shaping how we understand history, debate policy and bridge the gap between those in power and those who deserve the truth.
In Cicero, those in power are the longtime Town President Larry Dominick and his appointed administration.
In Cicero, Cicero Independiente is filling critical information needs rooted in independence and community. We have the responsibility to report on issues that impact the quality of life in the Cicero community, such as government accountability, education, and community resilience.
As journalists at Cicero Independiente, our job is more than just to report the news but we also aid in bridging the gap between power and the people seeking answers.
We have reported about the limited online access to information, insufficient outreach and limited spaces for public input in Cicero. Budget transparency is something Cicero residents have voiced and is something we have specifically sought to increase.
As the 2025 budget meeting approaches, it’s crucial to address transparency concerns now and work together to improve public engagement, expand access to information and create more opportunities for dialogue and collaboration.
Larry Dominick wins re-elections securing unprecedented 6th term
Cicero’s latest election saw longtime town President Dominick clinch another term against challenger Esteban Rodriguez. 57% of the 8,113 people who showed up to the polls voted for Dominick compared to the 42% of voters for Rodriguez.
Cicero Voters Alliance held firm, but a newly formed political organization Cicero Residents United (CRU), emerged with residents running together as a slate, united by a vision for new leadership in Cicero.
As the dust settles on this past primary February election, one thing is clear: Cicero’s political landscape may not have shifted overnight, but the conversation about its future is far from over.
CRU has started a petition demanding the Town of Cicero hold an evening town hall meeting where they present a draft of their 2025 annual budget and give community members an opportunity to ask questions and offer suggestions. There have been over one thousand signatures at the time of this writing.
Grassroots community organizing continues on April 1, as residents will have the opportunity to vote for the Cicero Public Library Board, local school boards, and park districts.
Cicero Awarded $96 million in Federal Funding for Flood Prevention Efforts
Cicero was among the few communities in Illinois to receive a federal award from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address the various flood issues.
Cicero will receive $96 million through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program. The grant was presented at the Town of Cicero board meeting on Jan. 14. 2025.
Looming transparency concerns have plagued Dominick’s administration, from his recent election win to the upcoming 2025-2026 Budget Hearing and how town officials will use the HUD grant.
Lack of transparency in Cicero
Cicero officials claim they’ve addressed flooding concerns through legal and administrative measures, yet some residents believe there is a deeper divide and disconnect between leadership and the people of Cicero.
We’ve reported and published editorials on Dominick’s administration lack of transparency in the past. For example, this includes the Town of Cicero’s lack of not filing TIF annual reports, according to our report. TIF reports show a town’s property tax revenue that has the potential to go into needs voiced by community members, such as more green spaces or financial assistance for damage caused by ongoing flooding.
The Dominick administration operates from a position of power and misunderstanding amongst its citizens. Instead of working alongside willing members of the community, it continues to divide and further confuse them through old-school Cicero politics.
While the $96 million in HUD grant and the promised $1 million toward flood mitigation by the Cicero board of trustees are a promising solution to a dire infrastructure problem in Cicero, the administration operates from a position of control rather than collaboration.
Budget Hearing 2025
At last year’s budget hearing, during the citizen comments many residents voiced their concerns over the major flooding caused by the previous year's historic storm that left many homeowners in Cicero in desperate need of answers.
Cicero Independiente’s co-founder, Irene Romulo, didn’t just report on the town’s budget last year’s process but amplified the frustration of residents who saw roadblocks instead of transparency, reading the comments of those community members who were also not able to attend the meeting given its limited window to attend, during the day in the early morning while the majority of residents are at work.
The public’s chance to weigh in? A narrow 10-day window, barely enough time to digest the numbers, let alone time to provide feedback or any understanding.
In-person notice at the clerk’s office, with limited access online. While only postings to selective newspapers, such as the Lawndale News.
For many in the community, these actions are not just an inconvenience but feel deliberate.
This year, Cicero Independiente continues its efforts in the goal of government transparency. CI visited the Town clerk’s office to request the physical copies of the budget and transfer the information to an online version. CI will also livestream the hearing for readers via our Facebook profile.
To spend the $96 million in federal disaster recovery funds, Cicero must follow HUD’s guidelines, including conducting a needs assessment, ensuring no duplication of benefits, consulting with stakeholders, developing clear policies, and holding a public hearing for community input.
These steps ensure transparency and funds effectively to address flood issues.
Despite receiving millions in federal funds to address chronic flooding, the Town of Cicero has done little to inform residents about how the money will be spent.
The Town of Cicero did publish a survey asking for input from residents and inviting them to participate in the planning process for the HUD funds back in January. However, key decisions seem to be happening behind closed doors, leaving many wondering if Cicero prioritizes flood relief or checks boxes to stay compliant.
Cicero officials can enhance resident participation by hosting on-going community forums, providing Spanish translation, and having meetings in the evening to ensure more Cicero stakeholders can attend.
Despite transparency concerns, there is hope for more democracy and collaboration in Cicero’s future. The growing presence of organizing signals a rising demand for accountability and inclusion in local government.
Cicero officials have the opportunity to foster stronger partnerships with community members, and stakeholders if they prioritize public engagement and open dialogue. When the community demands a seat at the table, leaders should listen.
Jesús J. Montero is an award-winning journalist and producer from Cicero. The son of Mexican immigrants, Montero’s work reflects a deep connection to his cultural roots. Montero is contracted at Cicero Independiente as an Operations Coordinator.
Explore Cicero Independiente’s breakdown of budget hearing information and additional resources
View the Google sheet here
Graphics by Onintze Contreras
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