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Blue Island council approves payrolls, payables and planning items; accepts CMAP CIP assistance and grants preliminary approval for commercial redevelopment
Summary
Council approved two payrolls and accounts payable, amended a water-loan ordinance, accepted CMAP technical-assistance to develop a five-year capital improvement plan, and granted preliminary approval for amended planned development for a gas-station/fast-food site. An ordinance on police/fire commissioners was tabled.
The Blue Island City Council on Tuesday approved routine payrolls and accounts payable, amended an ordinance related to a public water supply loan program, accepted planning technical assistance from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), and granted preliminary approval for a commercial redevelopment in the Highway Commercial C2 district.
On routine financial items, the council approved payroll dated Dec. 19 for $456,477.40 and payroll dated Jan. 2, 2026 for $468,421.12 by roll call. The council also approved accounts payable dated Jan. 14, 2026 for $674,988.04.
The council considered an ordinance amending ordinance 2025-65 related to operation and approval of a loan agreement tied to the public water supply loan program (described in the meeting as the IEP loan). Staff explained the original ordinance included a requirement to publish notice in a newspaper within 10 days that was not statutorily required; the amended language struck that requirement. Council voted to approve the amendment.
Patrick Day, principal planner with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, told the council the city was successful in the 2025 call for technical assistance and was one of 30 municipalities selected from about 130 applicants to receive help creating a five-year capital improvement plan (CIP). Day said the program helps align budgets with long-range goals and supports staff with asset inventories, condition ratings and prioritization criteria. The council voted to accept CMAP's planning-technical assistance.
On zoning, the council granted preliminary approval of an amended planned development for a gas station, mini-mart and fast-food/drive-in restaurant within the Highway Commercial C2 district at addresses between 11901 and 11955 South Constance. The amendment adds additional square footage for the fast-food use and reduces the gas-station area; no specific restaurant operator was identified at the meeting.
Mayor Bellotto also announced the city was designated the state's urban forest advocate and accepted a ceremonial "golden shovel" in recognition of local tree-canopy efforts.
Votes at a glance: - Approve payroll (12/19/2025): $456,477.40 — motion carried (roll call recorded ayes). - Approve payroll (01/02/2026): $468,421.12 — motion carried (roll call recorded ayes). - Approve accounts payable (01/14/2026): $674,988.04 — motion carried (roll call recorded ayes). - Amend ordinance 2025-65 (public water supply loan program/IEP loan): motion carried (vote recorded as aye on roll call). - Accept CMAP planning technical assistance (CIP): motion carried (unanimous aye roll call). - Preliminary approval: amended planned development at 11901–11955 S. Constance (gas station/mini-mart/fast-food): motion carried (roll call recorded ayes).
Next steps: Staff to implement usual administrative follow-ups for payroll and payables, return any revised ordinance language if required, and begin work with CMAP on the CIP process.
