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West Chicago council approves disbursement report, consent agenda and tall‑grass contract after discussion of resident-assistance options
Summary
At the April 20 meeting the West Chicago City Council approved April 6 meeting minutes (one abstention), a $949,454.51 disbursement report, a package of consent items and a contract with WA Management Inc. for tall-grass/leaf-cutting services; aldermen asked staff to return with alternatives to enforcement for residents with extenuating circumstances.
The West Chicago City Council on April 20, 2026 approved the April 6 meeting minutes, a corporate disbursement report totaling $949,454.51, a series of consent items and a contract for tall-grass and leaf-cutting services after a brief debate about assistance options for residents.
Minutes and disbursement report Alderman Swiatek moved to approve the April 6, 2026 minutes with Alderman Smith seconding the motion; the motion carried on a roll-call vote with Alderman Myers recording an abstention and other members voting aye.
Alderman Dimas moved to approve the corporate disbursement report in the amount of $949,454.51, seconded by Alderman Beebe. The council approved the disbursement report by roll call with all listed aldermen voting aye.
Consent-agenda items Council members reviewed a consent agenda that included development items (ordinance 26-O-0006, a special-use permit for a motor-vehicle laundry at 511 E. Roosevelt Road) and a resolution to adopt the city’s 2026 zoning map (26-R-0031), as well as event approvals, a spring planting contract with Fields of Canton Farms Inc. (not to exceed $56,622) and a $5,000 sponsorship agreement for public art. Alderman Aviña Soto pulled item 7K for separate discussion. The council established and then approved consent items A through J on unanimous roll calls.
Item 7K — tall-grass/leaf-cutting services (26-R-0033) Item 7K, resolution 26-R-0033, authorizes the mayor to execute a contract with WA Management Inc. for tall-grass and leaf-cutting services. Alderman Aviña Soto said she pulled the item to clarify how the program is used and to press for alternatives to automatic enforcement, especially for seniors or residents with extenuating circumstances. She asked that, in addition to retaining the city’s existing compliance tool, staff return with options that would allow volunteers or companies to assist residents who cannot mow due to hardship. Alderman Morano and others clarified the contract procedure: after a warning (eight-day window referenced) the city can engage a third party to perform the work and bill the property owner.
Council members asked staff to return to the Public Affairs Committee with suggestions for a volunteer or assistance list so help can be offered in hardship cases rather than defaulting to citation and third-party mowing. After discussion, the council approved the contract for WA Management Inc. by roll call.
Executive session and adjournment Mayor Bovey said the council would enter executive session to discuss land acquisition and the potential sale of city-owned property. A motion to go into executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2 (C5 and C6) was made, seconded and carried with the group answering 'Aye.' The council later reconvened and adjourned the meeting.
The meeting record shows multiple items passed under routine procedure; staff follow-up was requested on nonpunitive assistance measures for residents unable to maintain yards due to hardship.
