60185 🇺🇸

Rick Gieser, DuPage County Forest Preserve District 6 Commissioner, shares about the timeline for the project connecting the West DuPage Woods with Blackwell. He tells us about the District’s goals to acquire 250 additional acres using increased funding from the 2024 referendum, and a little-known piece of civil rights history that took place in one of the preserves.Plus, did you know that the Forest Preserve District owns one-seventh of the land in DuPage County? We also hear an update on the conflict over the land north of Menards that the City of West Chicago approved to be a housing development but the Forest Preserve wants to annex into Pratt’s Wayne Woods, and why Rick loves the West Chicago Prairie and the Elsen’s Hill Area of the West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve… PLUS: where to find native, wild orchids in 60185.Email Rick with your ideas and feedback at [email protected]. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

UPDATE: The Tribune (and apparently the AP?) were there at the board meeting last night. They chose not to name the teacher in their story, but you can find it.We cover a whirlwind of West Chicago news, starting with the elementary school gym teacher controversy that drew large crowds to a City Hall listening session (Jan. 26) and a school board meeting last night (Feb. 5). The board accepted the teacher’s voluntary resignation before public comment, and we reflect on the community reaction and how social media amplified the situation.The bulk of the episode focuses on City Hall: the January 31 departure of longtime City Administrator Michael Guttman, the history of his contract dispute, and the mayor’s December disclosure of an EEOC complaint that led to a $300K+ settlement. We discuss (again) why this history matters, how residents can better engage with their alderpeople, and what comes next—including the search for a new city administrator, downtown revitalization plans, a new Ward 3 council member, and recent appointments to the Building Board of Appeals—a commission that is mandated by ordinance, but had not operated until Mayor Bovey’s tenure. LinksMayor’s statement on former city administrator complaint: https://westchicago.org/news-archive-2025/mayor-statement-on-former-administrator-complaint/May 5 swearing-in ceremony recap: July 15 Guttman settlement and Bond replacement recap: Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Below is my ChatGPT-generated, Laura-approved summary of our conversation with West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury. Our biggest takeaways: 1) Angry people driving out of—or into—their driveways during a parade is one of Fleury’s bigger fears about bringing them back; 2) Despite requests, ICE has provided no list to West Chicago of who they are arresting, why, or whether targets have criminal histories.—LFKey Topics Covered — Parade Conversation* The chief’s background organizing large-scale events and how that shapes his safety expectations.* Why parades create unique risks: long footprint, many uncontrolled access points, vehicle hazards, and crowd unpredictability.* Staffing limits at the department and how manpower affects what can be safely covered.* The need for clear participant check-in, assigned slots, and no last-minute additions.* Insurance and alcohol-use requirements for certain participant groups (e.g., riders).* Past incidents the chief referenced—such as animal-related injuries and drivers bypassing closures—that inform current caution.* The role of trained volunteers (CERT/ESDA) for staging, barricades, and first aid.* The importance of confirming dates early so the department can adjust schedules and avoid staffing conflicts.* A collaborative but safety-first tone: supportive of the event if proper controls and planning are in place.Key Topics Covered — ICE Conversation1. Training & Department Procedures (how are West Chicago police officers trained to react to ICE?)* Officers document ICE encounters and provide warnings to federal agents who are violating city resolutions that city property cannot be used from civil immigration enforcement.* City-wide directive: any staff member encountering ICE is to alert the highest-ranking police member.* Officers respond when residents report unknown individuals who may be ICE. Residents can always call 911 if they spot a suspicious vehicle and responders can let them know if the vehicle is a concern. * Local law enforcement vehicles can be distinguished from ICE vehicles by their license plates, which have letters “MP” on side. 2. The TRUST Act / “CARES Act” Confusion* Fleury frequently refers to “CARES,” but the policy he describes aligns with:* Illinois TRUST Act (2017)* Way Forward Act (2021)* Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s guidance restricting cooperation with civil immigration enforcement* Key restriction: local police cannot assist ICE in civil immigration enforcement (e.g., information sharing, detainers).3. Chief Fleury’s Central Claims* Communication restrictions by the state have created serious safety issues.* ICE is operating without sufficient local intelligence, making operations chaotic.* Local police are “caught in the middle”—unable to help ICE but unable to obstruct.* Public misidentifies undercover units, fire vehicles, or unmarked cars as ICE.* Community trust is eroding due to visible tensions and crowd clashes.* ICE has provided no list of who they are arresting, why, or whether targets have criminal histories.4. Examples Chief Fleury Shares* ICE use of spray during Thorntons gas station encounter.* Allegations that an undercover (non-ICE) vehicle was rammed by someone who assumed they were ICE.* A local person was chased and harassed in an apartment complex because he was mistaken for ICE.* Prior town hall meetings where residents expressed support for deporting violent offenders.5. Community Reporting Options* Tip411 system.* Calling 911 for verification of suspicious vehicles or activity.6. Perimeter Problems* State law prevents local police from creating a barrier around ICE operations.* According to Fleury, this increases likelihood of clashes between ICE and crowds.7. Transparency Concerns* Chief Fleury says ICE has given zero information to West Chicago about:* who is being arrested* whether arrests are criminal or civil* what charges people have* Only one confirmed case: an individual at Thorntons who filed a police report. He was a U.S. citizen.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Chief Colin Fleury02:56 Chief Fleury’s Background and Career Path05:51 Challenges of Organizing Parades14:47 Police Department’s Role in Immigration Enforcement36:23 Challenges of Communication with ICE39:13 Public Safety and Trust Issues40:47 The Impact of ICE Operations on Local Communities Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

May 6, 2025, 12:15 amI (Liuan) received an email from Laura with the title “Hear me out.” We had just survived an epic swearing-in ceremony for West Chicago’s new mayor Daniel Bovey and several newly-elected city council members. Dan had warned us there might be some fireworks, but I don’t think anybody in the audience was ready for the level of conflict that took place. Laura wrote: “I just recorded a 22 minute Marco Polo for a handful of friends explaining everything that happened tonight.“That’s… a podcast. “I am going to start one purely for WeGo residents — possibly time limited — to process all of this stuff. I think podcasts are so much more constructive than social media. People are always asking what is going on… this is how to fill them in.”The first recordingI sat in Laura’s dining room later that day, admiring the blue and white porcelain dishes on the wall. I thought, “No biggie, just talking with a friend over tea and sending it to a few other friends.” Laura has podcasting experience from previous jobs, and somehow managed to drop the first episode about an hour after we recorded it. In the first couple days, we got over 100 downloads. We were expecting, maybe, 15. There was definitely an information gap here that people have been hungry to fill. Since thenWe’ve had Attorney Jeff Jacobson, Mayor Dan Bovey, Maria Correa and José (Pepe) Gutierrez from Casa Michoacán, Jonathan Wolfe from We Go for the People, Winfield Township Trustee Rebecca Holmes, and several aldermen on the show. When we can, we record episodes in both English and Spanish.While social media can be a helpful place to get the latest scoop, our community needs more than hot takes and rumor mills. A podcast format gives listeners a chance to go deeper into a topic, getting past surface-level arguments that fuel an us-them mentality and truly understanding where decision-makers are coming from and the issues on the table. It’s not us-them. It’s all of us. We all have a place here in West Chicago, and it’s time to sit down to an honest, respectful conversation. Moving forwardWe started the podcast specifically explain what happened on May 5 for our friends and neighbors, but with a larger purpose in mind: our community cares a lot—and has a lot going on. Our goal was (and is) to provide easy-to-digest updates on West Chicago’s taxing bodies, especially our city council. After overwhelming interest in our episodes so far, we’re planning to keep this up! You can expect episodes every few weeks or more frequently if we’re feeling ambitious. We’re busy working moms, so this is a side project for us. We’ll cover major city council decisions, interspersed with news on township, school district, and park district happenings, and anything else that’s of interest to West Chicago residents. Subscribe below to get an email in your inbox every time a new episode drops. We’ll also post informative tidbits that don’t make it into an episode here on this Substack page. Have ideas for topics? Comment below. If you think our work is valuable, would you become a paid subscriber? We’re looking for 20 committed residents to become paid subscribers at $5 a month. That will help us pay for our graphic designer (Joey Waltz) who made our beautiful banner and logo, as well as tech subscriptions and other costs here and there. And honestly, maybe a cup of coffee every once in a while. And please share this with your friends and neighbors. We want everyone to be part of the conversation. You—each and every one of you—are what make West Chicago the quirky and wonderful town that we all love. Thanks for reading 60185 Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.P.S. A couple of updates since we recorded this episode several months ago—* Liuan and Matt’s children’s book, My South American Classroom, has launched!! Find it here!* Heather Niziolek of The West Chicago Voice has concluded the platform, and Merle Burleigh’s column on the city website will not continue after this year… so we’re feeling even more committed to keeping this podcast and Substack active going forward. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Cyber Monday! Buy local please!Ward 1 Alderman Dan Beebe describes the 2026 budget proposal that will receive a vote tonight, December 1, 2025. We catch up on what is happening to the grocery tax (!!), explain sewer and water rate increases and why West Chicago treats its own water, and hear the story of how Dan got onto the city council (he wasn’t appointed!).We also discussed a couple of things I’m still grappling with: * Why is the council so… quiet? We joke often about how long the meetings are now, but it’s because they used to be 10 minutes, with very little public comment. Now we see lots of public comments, but still less conversation among council members than I would expect. Is it possible that the council before April 1 was borderline rubber-stampy? Which leads into my next question:* Do we rely more than necessary on consultants? I’ve been thinking about this a lot in the last few months, both in the context of the City and the Library (where I am a board member). On the one hand, consultants provide institutional knowledge that you just don’t get from a group of 15 ever-changing volunteers. At the state and federal levels this is provided by staff and (gulp) lobbyists, who have been around for decades and may have deeper knowledge and time on an issue than either staff or electeds. Dan Beebe also explains to us in this episode that staff simply just don’t have time to do some of the tasks that we need done, like modernizing city code.HOWEVER: Dan also told us that in his time with the city (on commissions and on the council), he has watched the city pay consultants to develop at least 3 plans to revitalize the downtown. Then there’s the 20 year old Strategic Vision that basically went untouched. In April, we overwhelmingly heard a direction from voters to work on our downtown—but here we are budgeting even more money for consultants to advise us how to do that.As a resident, I’d love to not pour more money into consultants when we haven’t tried ideas from the last ones yet. And I’m not talking about real estate deals with bad timing. How about basic recommendations for improving downtown? How about trying out the idea in one of our consulting plans to allow residents to build separate mother-in-law suites in town? This would address our housing shortage while giving residents more chances to make ends meet in our challenging economy.What do you think? Am I off base here? If you’re a member of the council or city staff, would you be willing to come on the show to explain to me why we need even more consultants? 💙P.S. We sponsored a soccer team! Eusebian is a longstanding outreach program at New Life Bilingual Church in West Chicago. Cover photo courtesy of the West Chicago Voice. Alderman Dan Beebe (far right) speaks with protestors in spring 2025 at city hall. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Alderman Al Hallett joins us for an open conversation about his childhood, his time in Vietnam, how he ended up in West Chicago and on the City Council, and what he plans to do in the next 2027 consolidated election.Trigger warning: this episode mentions warfare, mass killings, and PTSD. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Concejala Alcantar-Garcia habla de cómo la aumentación de actividad de la migra ha afectado la comunidad de West Chicago, los derechos de personas que están detenidos por ICE, y los recursos comunitarios disponibles para los que tienen miedo de salir. * Alrededor de 19 personas han sido detenido por agentes de ICE desde 15 de Septiembre* Llame al 855-435-7693 para informar sobre avistamientos del ICE. Se trata de la línea de atención telefónica de apoyo a las familias establecida a través de la Coalición de Illinois por los Derechos de los Inmigrantes y Refugiados.* La policía de West Chicago no pueden involucrarse en las actividades de ICE, para apoyarles o para pararles. * Hay esfuerzos de hacer legislación en el nivel estatal y federal haciendo que agentes de ICE no puedan usar máscaras. * Concejala Alcantar-Garcia está parte de conversaciones sobre la posibilidad de prevenir el uso de propiedades como el Ayuntamiento o la Estación de Policía local por agentes federales, para mantener estas ubicaciones seguro para residentes. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Things we learned from Matt—Kamila Cakes’ owner is a TikTok influencer!Reducing the barriers small business face in West ChicagoOf the 118 city staff in West Chicago, how many work with businesses? (Fun fact: we have 51 police officers and 44 public works staff—that's 80% of the city employees)Reviving a downtown business alliance for West ChicagoThe financial reserves that West Chicago keeps on hand, always—and what that means for the yearly budgetDoes Matt know what happened to the 13-14M Kerr-McGee funds? (spoiler alert: nobody does)What makes Ward 7 so uniqueThe grocery tax vs. sales tax debateThe NEWLY forming Downtown Revitalization Commission—APPLY HERE.Why the long meetings in the Bovey Era are a sign of a good meeting.What we should be looking out for in the next few months Plus, Laura briefly recaps the Sept. 2 council meeting—both the grocery tax and sales tax were tabled until the Sept. 15 meeting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

During the August 4, 2025 West Chicago City Council meeting, a meeting where Mayor Bovey was absent, Ald. Alton Hallett—a Vietnam war veteran—publicly questioned Ald. Carreto-Muñoz on why she was standing during the Pledge of Allegiance rather than putting her hand on her heart. He questioned her on a number of things—including what the 13 red strips on the flag mean—prompting a quick reaction not from other members of the council, but from the public.We play the audio from that interaction, and then talk to Denise about what was going through her head in that moment, what Ald. Hallett said to her after the meeting, and what it's like being one of the youngest members of the city council. She talks about her decision to run for office, and recaps the 'backyard chicken' ordinance (seomthing Ald. Hallett also voted for, despite vows in past meetings). We also cover the question of whether and which lawyers would be paid for their services to the city between May and August, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Durante la reunión del Concejo Municipal de West Chicago del 4 de agosto de 2025, en la que el alcalde Bovey estuvo ausente, el concejal Alton Hallett, veterano de la guerra de Vietnam, cuestionó públicamente a la concejala Carreto-Muñoz por qué se limitó a permanecer de pie durante el Juramento a la Bandera y no se puso la mano sobre el corazón. La cuestionó sobre varios aspectos, incluyendo el significado de las 13 franjas rojas de la bandera, lo que provocó una rápida reacción, no de los demás concejales, sino del público.Hablamos con Denise sobre lo que pasaba por su mente en ese momento, lo que le dijo el concejal Hallett después de la reunión y cómo es ser una de las concejalas más jóvenes. Habla sobre su decisión de postularse y recapitula la ordenanza sobre las gallinas de traspatio (algo por lo que la concejala Hallett también votó, a pesar de sus promesas en reuniones anteriores). También abordamos la cuestión de si se pagaría a los abogados por sus servicios a la ciudad entre mayo y agosto de 2025, y cuáles serían esos abogados. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

NOTA: NO haremos un resumen de la reunión del Consejo Municipal de esta noche, ¡al menos no por ahora!, pero puede ver la reunión en vivo por Zoom y a pedido en YouTube.Aquí están los detalles, a través del sitio web de la ciudad: https://westchicago.org/news/august-4-city-council-meeting-to-be-livestreamed/Rebecca Holmes, recién elegida Síndica del Township de Winfield, nos acompaña para hablar sobre qué son los townships, qué hacen y por qué se postuló para el cargo. Describe algunos de los servicios que ofrece un township, como asistencia financiera para necesidades básicas (como ayuda de emergencia para el alquiler) y un botiquín para pedir prestado equipo, como sillas de ruedas. El township también ofrece servicios de registro de votantes y notariado en su oficina de Arbor Ave.Hablamos sobre cómo los townships evitan la duplicación de servicios, lo que Rebecca aprendió durante su capacitación como fideicomisaria y el cambio que puede generar postularse para un cargo local. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

NOTE: we will NOT be recapping tonight's City Council meeting—at least not anytime soon!–but you can watch the meeting live on Zoom, and on-demand on YouTube. Here are the details, via the city website: https://westchicago.org/news/august-4-city-council-meeting-to-be-livestreamed/Newly elected Winfield Township Trustee Rebecca Holmes joins to discuss what townships are, what they do, and why she ran for the office. She describes some of the services provided by a township, included cash assistance for basic needs (like emergency aid for rent)—and a medical closet for borrowing equipment like wheelchairs. The township also offers voter registration and notary services at its office on Arbor Ave.We talk about how townships avoid duplication of services, what Rebecca learned during her trustee training, and the change that can be affected by running for local office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Laura and Mayor Bovey unpack last night's City Council meeting, including a tale of two gas stations: 1) the BP on North Ave. and 59, which the the previous city administration took to federal court for staining their bricks; 2) the situation with the Speedway at 38 and Fabyan Parkway, and what the legal term "estoppel" means for them. They reflect on the Mayor's first 12 weeks in office, Heather Niziolek's bombshell public comment last night (and how the city's approach to FOIAs is changing), the removal of radioactive pipes and waste on Main Street, and Mayor Bovey's dream of a train themed public plaza on West Washington street.And, a reminder: have compassion for city staff! (And re-submit those FOIAs) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

On July 7, the City Council approved a separation agreement with City Administrator Michael Guttman, appointed interim leadership, and hired a law firm—at least for the next 31 days.But the city’s legal battles are far from over. We unpack the latest developments in the Bond law firm saga, including withheld payments, legal threats, and competing interpretations of power and process. Plus: What’s next for the third-party city administrator search, and why one council member says delay is the real tactic at play.Includes commentary from Marcus Brown, Jeff Jacobson, and Ald. Matthew Myers.Topics:Guttman’s soft landing and $60K payoutInitial confusion over who represents the city legally (and finally, a resolution)Interim appointments and hiring updatesLawsuit concerns and political maneuveringPublic trust, transparency, and what comes next“When people hear updates along the line of a decision making process—you’re allowed to change your mind. That’s okay. The public being able to get a window into the process of what’s going on in an alderman’s thinking is going to build trust. Right now it’s just the black box feeling. This is a really opaque group of people and nobody can really get in their brains.”—LiuanCORRECTIONS:Jeff Jacobsen has not defended the Boveys in their greenhouse lawsuit since January.(By the way, did you know the Boveys never sued the city? It was the other way around—and the City Council could vote to drop it at any time if they so chose)Liuan's Excellent Live Notes:https://docs.google.com/document/d/18dRsM7ssiTuOYAdPz1sdgxgW4_nwry18zTOCYRR9dhg/edit?usp=sharingThis show is not affiliated with the city or any entity.Next episode: What does a township do?Next City Council Meeting: Monday, July 21 at 7pm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

NOTE: Liuan took 9 pages of (live!) notes on last night's city council meeting—find them at the above link.FURTHER NOTE: Never use AirPods for a podcast interview! Sorry for this audio quality everyone!! —Laura1. Public Trust and AccountabilityLiuan reflects on her public comment to the council, calling out a long-standing culture of condescension and gaslighting from elected officials. She emphasizes: "Trust must be earned—not assumed."2. The Santiago Appointment DramaThe council discusses Mayor Bovey’s appointment of Mr. Santiago to fill the Ward 2 aldermanic vacancy:Some aldermen, including Joe Morano, expressed frustration about not being contacted by Santiago personally.Irony alert: Past newly elected aldermen tried to build relationships with sitting members—only to be ghosted.No formal resume or application process seems to exist for appointments.In the end, Santiago was approved—with Morano abstaining.3. Grocery Tax Proposal—Put on PauseAn increase to the city’s sales tax (from 8.5% to 8.75%) was pulled from the agenda after community pushback. Expect to see this item return at the July 7 council meeting. Laura and Liuan walk through current tax breakdowns and encourage listeners to reach out with cost-saving alternatives.4. Liquor License for UncorkedWest Chicago's Uncorked Wine Bar got the green light for a specialty liquor license—though it's tied specifically to that business location.5. Committee Shuffle Sparks TensionLongtime Alderman Hallett took issue with being reassigned from Public Affairs to Finance, interpreting it as retaliation.Mayor Bovey, meanwhile, noted a need for collaboration and adherence to legal procedure—pointing to past attempts to bypass his role in appointments.6. Guttman’s Pension & Legacy PoliticsThe lingering question: Why the urgency to preserve Michael Gutman’s pension eligibility? Laura teases a potential FOIA request into city settlements and NDAs, while both hosts express frustration over a perceived pattern of risk-aversion and secrecy.7. Radium Cleanup & Facility TransparencyMayor Bovey updated the public about a long-quiet brownfield site off Washington Street:Radium-contaminated materials were recently removed.He proposes a community tour of the facility to build trust.Citizen science field trip with Geiger counters, anyone?8. The Overpass Debate—Back AgainCalls for a railroad overpass (or underpass) on Washington resurface.Past opposition focused on tree loss and property displacement.Mayor Bovey: Just because the answer was “no” before doesn’t mean it still is.9. Backyard Chickens & Staff EngagementBehind-the-scenes update: City staff are actively seeking public input on a future backyard chicken ordinance. Laura encourages residents to engage early—before votes happen.10. Closing Notes: Politics as Relationship-BuildingLaura and Liuan reflect on the importance of connecting personally—even with officials you disagree with. Liuan plans to break the ice with Alderman Morano next time they cross paths at Camp WeGo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

There was a distinct vibe shift at the Monday night, June 2 meeting.Liuan gives an update on the Illinois grocery tax situation, and comments made by the finance committee about it.There was a VACANCY in an elected office! What happens next??Is it good to have a city council that disagrees?Ancel Glink law firm gave a presentation—which was basically a 7th grade civics lesson on the separation of powers—plus more about that law firm itself. And we’re, once again, back to Michael Guttman’s contract and whether or not it held over from the last administration to this one. Options we have: 1) let the judge decide on this. (A months-long costly process.) Who wins in this case? The lawyers. Who loses? The taxpayers.2) go through a peaceful agreement process. Try to come to a consensus without letting it continue in court.We come up with a fundamental question: if you’ve decided to vote one way no matter what your constituents say—OR if the entire council votes in lock step all the time—what’s the point? Why have a city council with no dissension, and why serve on the council at all if you’re not interested in listening to the voters?A former alderman came forward during the public comment to emphasize that the public should not twist facts and ‘fill in the blanks.’ But as was brought up by many others during public comment, there’s so many things we don’t know (that we have reached out to aldermen to ask about)—we have a lot of questions, and we haven’t gotten a lot of answers. “When people don’t have a lot to go on, it makes sense that they fill in the blanks… and there’s kind a sense that they’re trying to hide things if they’re being so closed-door about everything.”—Liuan The legacy council members seem to have an attitude that voters are easily misled. These elected officials are taking their own experience as THE experience… and it’s a problem. We discuss particular comments made by Jeanne Short during public comment and after the meeting, and admit that the group has a long way to go. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Casa Michoacán es un centro de bienvenida para inmigrantes de todos los orígenes. Registran votantes a través del Proyecto Nueva Democracia Americana, empoderando a los residentes para involucrarse cívicamente, manteniendo su identidad cultural. Proveen referencias a servicios sociales básicos colaborando con el condado de DuPage, WeGo Together for Kids y otros grupos. Aunque Casa Michoacán no dice a la gente a quién votar, tuvieron un papel fundamental en la movilización del voto de la comunidad latina en las elecciones municipales de abril. “Es solamente el inicio de una transformación nuestra comunidad de un actitud más incluyente. Cada día tenemos ciudadanos de origen Latino que están preparados, que tienen las ganas y la vocación de servir a su gente. Es cuestión de identificarlos, de conectarlos con los procesos para que no vean el hecho de ser candidato como algo muy lejano sino que algo muy cercano. Porque tenemos que ser nosotros mismos los que defendamos nuestros derechos.” - José Luis Pepe GutiérrezConecta con Casa Michoacán: 900 E. Roosevelt en la intersección de IL-59. (630)-520-3482. Proximos eventos:14 de Junio, 5:30 pm - Inauguración de “Libro: Travesías y Resistencia,” una exposición de gráfica binacional para narrar las luchas, esperanzas, y dignidad de las personas migrantes.9 de Agosto en Parque Las Ardillas (Reed Keppler Park): Celebración de pueblos originarios de las Americas. Próximas reuniones municipales: 2 de Junio, 6 pm: Comité de Finanzas2 de Junio, 7 pm: Reunión del Ayuntamiento, incluyendo presentación de abogados Ancel Glink y una actualización sobre las propuestas del alcalde Bovey sobre los nombramientos del administrador municipal y el abogado municipal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Casa Michoacán is a welcoming center for immigrants of all backgrounds. They register voters through the New American Democracy Project, empowering residents to participate in the democratic process. They provide referrals to basic social services by partnering with DuPage County, WeGo Together for Kids, and other groups. While Casa Michoacán doesn’t tell people who to vote for, they played a pivotal role in getting out the vote for the Latino community in April’s municipal election. “Locally, we are creating the conditions for bigger things [to happen]. I’m excited. Let’s get things done, because it’s important for our community and the future and the new generations. We need to do this because they deserve better.” - Jose Luis Pepe GutierrezConnect with Casa Michoacán: 900 E. Roosevelt at the intersection of IL-59. (630)-520-3482. Upcoming events: June 14, 5:30 pm - Grand Opening of “Libro: Travesías y Resistencia,” a binational printmaking exhibition sharing visual narratives of migration, struggle, and resilience. August 9 at Reed Keppler Park: Indigenous American cultures celebration.Next City Meetings: June 2, 6 pm - Finance CommitteeJune 2, 7 pm - City Council Meeting, including a presentation by law firm Ancel Glink and an update on Mayor Bovey’s proposed pathway forward with city administrator and city attorney appointments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

🎧 Episode Summary:The West Chicago City Council is in limbo right now over essentially one thing: the employment of an appointed staffer—former city administrator Michael Guttman—and whether or not he will receive his pension. Legacy aldermen continue to insist on this, although they appeared to soften on Monday night when Mayor Dan Bovey offered five concessions (listed below).📝 Key Topics Covered in Monday night's Meeting/in this episode:🐔 Backyard Chickens (Coming Soon):No official debate yet, but a draft ordinance is in the works and will go through a public process.🔥 Council Drama Highlights:12 public comments were made—100% in favor of Mayor Bovey's leadership.Aldermen tried to conduct a vote without the consent of the chairman (Mayor Bovey).Confusion and conflict over a “corrected agenda” and alleged violations of state transparency laws.⚖️ Legal Showdown – The Lawsuit:Mayor Bovey filed a Petition for Declaratory Judgment (May 13)Hearing scheduled for May 28.Debate over whether the mayor can act without council approval—case law appears to support him.🔧 Procedural Skirmishes:Disputes over Robert’s Rules vs. the document presented by Sandy Dimas to the council.Friction on how meetings are conducted and who has the right to speak or preside.The Olive Branch:Mayor Bovey is proposing 5 things:Firewall himself from decisions made around the Greenhouse.Legislative counsel - the city council can keep Pat Bond as their attorney for legal matters, would not be the official city attorney. Appoint interims for a maximum of 6 months.Since the city council doesn’t like his choice of Jeff Jacobson as his interim corporate counsel, Dan offered choice of 3 different firms. One of them showed up to the meeting and spoke: Kevin Sterk of Ancel Glink. (Their attorneys wrote the Illinois Municipal Handbook, and they represent over 70 public bodies around the state.)Get Guttman to his goal of retirement.📢 Civic Engagement on the Rise:There was unusually high public turnout at this meeting—especially among younger residents!📆 Upcoming Meetings:June 2: Finance Committee – 6:00 PM, City Council – 7:00 PM Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Jonathan Wolf joins to discuss the nonprofit organization We Go For The People, its purpose, goals, and the importance of community engagement in local politics. We explore the four pillars of the organization, upcoming city council meetings, and the significance of transparency and accountability in government. The discussion emphasizes the need for civic participation and building relationships with elected officials to foster a collaborative environment in West Chicago.00:00 Introduction to We Go For The People02:58 The Purpose and Goals of We Go For The People06:07 The Four Pillars of We Go For The People09:04 Community Engagement and Local Politics11:58 Upcoming City Council Meeting and Assembly14:55 The Rogue City Council Agenda17:49 Building Relationships with Elected Officials21:06 Ways to Get Involved24:02 Conclusion and Call to Action Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Carlos es ahora uno de los cuatro hispanohablantes del Ayuntamiento de West Chicago, una primicia histórica para la ciudad.En este episodio, habla de su campaña de 2025 y su método para llamar a todas las puertas en el Distrito 6. (Se le acabaron los folletos muy rápido.) Carlos también describe cómo ve su papel - como un puente desde el pueblo, hasta el alcalde.A continuación, Carlos explica lo que ocurrió tras la toma de posesión del nuevo alcalde y los nuevos concejales el 5 de mayo, en una polémica reunión de tres horas y media que no llegó a resolverse.PÓNGASE EN CONTACTO CON SUS CONCEJALES ESTE FIN DE SEMANA. Cada uno de los concejales heredados necesita saber si esperas o no que la nueva administración pueda nombrar un administrador municipal, un abogado municipal y un jefe de policía (como se indica claramente en la descripción de las funciones del alcalde en el sitio web de la ciudad: «Nombrar y destituir, con el asesoramiento y consentimiento del Consejo, al administrador municipal, al jefe de policía y al abogado de la corporación").MAPA DEL DISTRITO: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://westchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022WARD_NEW_FINAL..pdfINFORMACIÓN DE CONTACTO DEL AYUNTAMIENTO: https://westchicago.org/elected-officials/#citycouncilTraducción realizada con la versión gratuita del traductor DeepL.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Carlos is now one of 4 Spanish speakers on the West Chicago City Council—a historic first for the city.In this episode, he discusses his 2025 campaign and his method for knocking on every door in Ward 6. (He ran out of pamphlets really fast.) Carlos also describes how he sees his role—as a bridge from the people, to the mayor.PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ALDERMEN THIS WEEKEND. Every one of the legacy aldermen need to hear whether or not you expect the new administration to be able to appoint a city administrator, city attorney, and police chief (as clearly outlined under the description of the Mayor's duties on the city website: "To appoint and remove, with the advice and consent of the Council, the City Administrator, the Chief of Police and the corporation counsel.") Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Episode Summary:Interim city attorney Jeff Jacobson breaks down the dramatic power struggle unfolding at West Chicago City Hall. After an overwhelming response to Episode 1, the podcast dives deeper into the controversy surrounding the city administrator and attorney positions—and what happens when public officials refuse to step down after an election.Jeff Jacobson, Mayor Bovey’s appointee, provides legal insight into expired contracts, ethical expectations, and the laws that govern administrative appointments in Illinois municipalities. With references to case law and municipal codes, this episode offers a rare glimpse behind the curtain of small-city government—and the legal battles that can ensue when leadership changes hands.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why city administrator Michael Guttman and former attorney Patrick Bond are refusing to vacate their roles—and why that may be illegal.The significance of the Illinois statute limiting contract lengths to the term of a sitting mayor.What the “advice and consent” process really means, and how it’s being misunderstood or misused.The case law behind the current situation (including Village of Westmont v. Lenahan).Why this could be the first time such a legal standoff reaches an Illinois courtroom.What legal outcomes could mean for taxpayers and the future of City Hall.How transparency, watchdogs, and public engagement are reshaping local politics.Key Legal Takeaways from Jeff Jacobson:Contracts for key municipal officers like administrators and attorneys expire with the outgoing mayor unless reappointed.A city council cannot unilaterally re-appoint such positions without mayoral nomination.Previous contract clauses attempting to auto-renew for multiple terms are invalid under state law.A court case is likely the only resolution, marking an unprecedented moment for West Chicago.Resources & References:Village of Westmont v. Lenahan, 235 Ill. Dec. 318Illinois Municipal Code regarding appointment limits tied to mayoral termsWest Chicago City Ordinances (available via city website)Disclaimer: This podcast is an independent journalism project and is not affiliated with the City of West Chicago or any official entity.🎧 Listen now and subscribe to 60185 on your favorite podcast platform for updates as this story unfolds. 📬 Got a question or tip? Reach us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe

Last night the new mayor and incoming city council members were sworn in at 7pm—but the council meeting didn't finish until 10:30pm, and even then with no resolution. We explain why—and why the office of city administrator is so important.WARD MAP: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://westchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022WARD_NEW_FINAL..pdfCITY COUNCIL CONTACT INFO (has not been updated as of May 7): https://westchicago.org/elected-officials/#citycouncil Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe