Joliet council approves 4-year contract that removes city employee residency requirement

The Joliet City Council voted July 15 to approve a collective bargaining agreement with IFF Local 2369 that removes the cityresidency requirement for a four-year term. The resolution (Council memo 413-25) authorizes execution of the contract and was adopted after public comment and extended council discussion.

Supporters of keeping a residency rule urged the council not to remove the requirement at the meeting. Jessica Wimbley, reading a statement on behalf of state Sen. Rachel Ventura, told the council: "City workers, particularly those in public safety, should have a direct stake in the community they protect and serve." Resident Damon Stoneage urged the council to invest in local recruitment and training, saying, "Approving this proposal sends the wrong message. It tells young people in Joliet they are not good enough."

During the council discussion, Mayor Terry Darcy and other members described workforce and housing constraints as drivers behind the change. Darcy said the current contract before the council would last four years and contrasted that with a prior, longer agreement: "This is a 4 year contract, not 14 years like the last 1. I don't understand a 14 year agreement, but this is 4 years." He and other council members said the change is intended to expand the city's hiring pool while the city works to increase housing supply.

The council distinguished public comment and discussion from the formal action. After debate and questions in open session, the motion to adopt the resolution was called and carried. Council voting as recorded on the motion was: Councilwoman Sherry Reardon, Aye; Councilman Juan Cardenas, Aye; Councilman Joe Clement, Aye; Councilman Larry Hugg, Aye; Councilwoman Maria Navarro, Aye; Councilman Juan Moreno, Aye; Councilman Mudrin, Aye; Councilwoman Quillman, Aye; Mayor Terry Darcy, Aye. The resolution was adopted.

Council members and several residents framed the vote as a temporary, operational decision: the contract term is four years and can be revisited by future councils. Several public commenters asked the council instead to pursue local recruitment, scholarships, sign-on bonuses and training partnerships with Joliet Junior College; those options were discussed but the formal action taken on July 15 was the approval of the negotiated agreement.

The council staff indicated implementation will follow the terms of the executed agreement and any changes to residency policy would require future council action or new bargaining outcomes.