Waukegan committee approves settlements, corrects minutes; votes unanimous

The Waukegan Government Operations and Oversight Committee on Aug. 4 approved a series of resolutions settling multiple worker-compensation claims and a $350,000 release, and approved corrected meeting minutes; all motions passed by unanimous roll call.

The committee, meeting at City Hall at 5:30 p.m., approved amended minutes for earlier meetings, then moved to new business where members approved four settlement resolutions: a police department worker-compensation claim for case 24WC21460 not to exceed $47,066.40; a police department worker-compensation claim 24WC029339241008W001 not to exceed $89,676.13; a Public Works worker-compensation claim 25WC01193250113W006 not to exceed $16,008.08; and a settlement and release agreement with David Mahoney and Cassie Bustick with an amount not to exceed $350,000. Committee members conducted roll-call votes on each item and recorded all votes as “aye.”

Why it matters: the resolutions authorize the city to settle multiple personnel-related claims and to execute a larger release agreement that could affect the city’s near-term expenditures. Committee action completed the city-level approvals for those settlements.

Minutes and procedural matters The committee opened with a roll call (Chair Bolton; Vice Chair Martinez; Aldermen Turner, Florian and Donaworth). Committee members approved the minutes of the July 7, 2025 meeting and approved amended minutes from April 7, 2025 and Jan. 6, 2025 (the Jan. 6 date was clarified during the meeting). Alderman Guzman was noted as present in the amended April 7 minutes, per the committee’s correction.

Settlements and roll calls The committee moved quickly through settlement resolutions with minimal discussion. For the first settlement, the committee corrected the dollar amount on the floor to $47,066.40 before voting. For each resolution a member moved and another seconded; the roll calls recorded Chair Bolton, Vice Chair Martinez, Alderman Turner, Alderman Florian and Alderman Donaworth each voting “aye,” and the chair declared the measures adopted.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution approving settlement and release of all claims for police department worker-compensation claim number 24WC21460; amount not to exceed $47,066.40; motion moved by Alderman Turner, seconded by Alderman Donaworth; outcome: approved (5–0). - Resolution approving settlement and release of all claims for police department worker-compensation claim number 24WC029339241008W001; amount not to exceed $89,676.13; motion moved by Alderman Turner, seconded by Alderman Martinez; outcome: approved (5–0). - Resolution approving settlement and release of all claims for Public Works worker-compensation claim number 25WC01193250113W006; amount not to exceed $16,008.08; motion moved by Alderman Donnerworth, seconded by Alderman Turner; outcome: approved (5–0). - Resolution authorizing execution of a release and settlement agreement by and between the City of Waukegan, David Mahoney and Cassie Bustick; amount not to exceed $350,000; motion moved by Vice Chair Martinez, seconded by Alderman Turner; outcome: approved (5–0). - Approval of minutes: Minutes of July 7, 2025 approved (motion by Alderman Martinez, second by Alderman Turner; outcome: approved 5–0). Amended minutes for April 7, 2025 and Jan. 6, 2025 approved (motions and roll calls recorded; outcomes: approved 5–0).

Other items and adjournment Committee members noted an email circulated about one settlement; there were no public comments and no documents listed under reports and communications. The meeting adjourned at 5:36 p.m.