Dolton officials say joint public works and code enforcement teams removed fallen tree, cleared debris

A village staff member said Public Works and Code Enforcement removed a fallen tree and debris from a property that had been cited for code violations, calling the work a coordinated effort to protect neighborhoods.

The removal followed reports that the property's condition had worsened after a fallen tree spilled into a neighboring yard and created a new hazard. "Departments working together, responding to real problems, and taking visible action for the residents of Dolton," the staff member said. "This is what progress looks like."

According to the statement read at the meeting, the property owner had already been sighted and ticketed, but the lot remained unresolved until crews from Public Works and Code Enforcement intervened. The statement named Superintendent Darryl Bunch and Code Enforcement Director Brian Thigpen as the officials who led the response and noted the involvement of village personnel to remove the debris and address the hazard.

Earlier in the same exchange, a meeting participant asked when crews would come to remove the tree and said they would "look up whoever pulled the permits." Another participant noted that a crew member named Robert was on his way to address the tree.

Mayor Jason House, the board of trustees and the office of the village clerk were cited in the statement as continuing to support efforts to improve neighborhood appearances and safety, adding that the village is pursuing cleanup "1 property at a time, 1 block at a time." Village staff framed the removal as one element of a broader, ongoing effort to reduce blight and hazards in residential areas.

The statement did not specify fines, permit details, or timelines for further enforcement. Officials said the cleanup action had been completed for the cited property and that the village would continue similar coordinated responses as needed.