Hillside, IL

Community Relations Commission

Board of a Whole

The Hillside Board of Trustees is meeting to consider several action items, including approving a $196,178.48 contract for radio and infrastructure upgrades to fix dead spots in police and fire communications, and approving a proposal for architectural design services for the Municipal Complex and Library Renovation Project. The board will also approve payroll and bills, and receive reports from department heads. The meeting is a regular board-of-a-whole session with public comment.

• Approval of $196,178.48 contract with Alpha Prime Communications for radio and infrastructure upgrades for Fire Band and police radio Band 2
• Approval of proposal from Jensen and Halstead, Ltd. for architectural design for Hillside Municipal Complex and Library Renovation Project
• Approval of gross payroll for August 16-29 and August 30-September 12, 2026
• Approval of bills for September 2026
• Bids for Municipal Complex and Library Renovation Project to be accepted in October

Regular Board

The Hillside Board of Trustees will hold its regular meeting, covering routine approvals, department reports, and a vote on a payment for the Illinois Prairie Path Lighting Project. The agenda also includes election registration deadlines and a community awareness meeting.

• Approval of $430,242.30 payment to Utility Dynamic Corporation for Illinois Prairie Path Lighting Project
• Consent agenda includes sales tax receipts of $634,449.74 for June 2026
• Payment of bills for August 2026 totaling $1,690,478.75
• Voter registration deadlines: in-person Oct 6, online Oct 18, mail ballot applications due Oct 29
• Community Awareness meeting scheduled for Aug 26, 2026

Fire & Police Commissioners

The Hillside Board of Fire and Police Commissioners is meeting to handle routine business, including approving minutes and discussing internal rules and file organization. They will also review entry-level firefighter candidates and plan for future hiring and promotional processes.

• Review August 2026 summary of entry-level firefighter candidates
• Plan for future entry-level police/firefighter register
• Fire Lieutenants promotional planning next steps
• Training plan for commissioners
• Discussion of 2026 meeting minutes

Youth Commission

The Hillside Youth Commission is meeting to approve minutes and discuss upcoming community events, including Autumn Fest, Halloween, Breakfast with Santa, and a tree lighting. The agenda is mostly event planning with no major policy decisions.

• Autumn Fest, October 3-4, 2026
• Halloween, October 31, 2026
• Breakfast with Santa, December 5, 2026, 10:00-12:00
• Tree Lighting, suggested date November 27, 2026
• D.I.C.E. event on September 12, 2026

Board of a Whole

The Hillside Board of a Whole will consider approving Pay Request 4 from Utility Dynamic Corporation for the Illinois Prairie Path Lighting Project, and approve gross payroll for July 5–18 and July 19–August 1, 2026, plus bills for August. The board will also receive department head operating reports and hear announcements about upcoming community events.

• Approval of Pay Request 4 from Utility Dynamic Corporation, LLC for work on the Illinois Prairie Path Lighting Project
• Approval of gross payroll for July 5–18 and July 19–August 1, 2026
• Approval of bills for August 2026
• Community Awareness meeting on August 26, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. in the Board Room
• Back to School Event for Hillside students on August 15, 2026, from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Regular Board

The Hillside Village Board will consider several motions, including joining a multi-jurisdictional task force to deter organized street gang criminal activity, approving a site host agreement for electric vehicle chargers under a state program, and awarding a construction management contract for the Municipal Complex and Library Renovation Project. The board will also vote on a resolution to transfer money between corporate purposes and on an honorary street name designation for a longtime trustee. Routine consent agenda items include sales tax, motor fuel tax, payroll, and utility tax reports.

• Motion to approve Intergovernmental Agreement with Berwyn, Brookfield, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Lyons, North Riverside, Oak Park, and Riverside for a multi-jurisdictional task force to deter organized street gang criminal activity
• Motion to approve Site Host Agreement for two electric vehicle charging stations (four ports) under the Illinois Finance Authority program, to be installed at south side Village Hall parking lot
• Motion to approve contract with Shales McNutt LLC dba SMC Construction Services for Construction Management Services at 4.2% of construction cost for Municipal Complex and Library Renovation Project at 431 Hillside Avenue
• Motion to approve Resolution 26-03 to transfer money appropriated from one corporate purpose to another
• Motion to approve Resolution 26-04 designating N. Forest Avenue as John 'Jack' Kramer Way in honor of Trustee Kramer's 50 years of service

Community Relations Commission

The Hillside Community Relations Commission is discussing ideas for the 2027 Silver Jubilee, including a special giveaway item and a new 'State of the Dream' guest commentary. They are also selecting a 2027 theme from four options and reviewing 2026 events, such as moving the Sports Outing to 2027 and finalizing details for the Back to School Event on August 15th.

• 2027 Silver Jubilee: special giveaway item and new 'State of the Dream' category proposed
• 2027 theme options: 'Wake Up from the Dream!', 'Carrying the Torch Forward', 'Past Dream, Tomorrow’s Promise', 'Breaking Barriers 2027!'
• Sports Outing moved from 2026 to 2027, coordinated by Dennis
• Back to School Event (Aug. 15th): backpacks provided by a not-for-profit; food includes pizza, water, popcorn, snow cone; tables for Police, Fire, Library, Back Packs, DJ B-Low
• Next meeting: August 27th at 7 pm

Public Hearing

The Hillside Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on a petition by Steven Pellicori for a variance in an R-2 Zoning District to increase impervious lot coverage from 20% to 24.2% on the property at 507 Buckthorn Lane. The hearing is scheduled for July 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Hillside Municipal Complex.

• Variance request to increase impervious lot coverage from 20% to 24.2%
• Property at 507 Buckthorn Lane, Hillside, IL
• R-2 Zoning District
• Public hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals

Firefighter's Pension Board

The Hillside Firefighters' Pension Fund Board of Trustees will meet to discuss financial reports, investment updates, and possible actions on cash management and actuarial funding policies. The agenda also includes legal matters such as a decision on David Buie and an independent medical exam for Joseph Partyka.

• Presentation and approval of monthly financial report and bills
• Discussion and possible action on cash management policy
• Review of preliminary actuarial valuation
• Discussion and possible action on actuarial funding policy
• Review, adopt, and publish decision and order regarding David Buie

Police Pension Board

The Hillside Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting to review financial reports from the accountant, consider investment updates from Sawyer Falduto and IPOPIF, and vote on the fiduciary liability and cyber risk insurance renewal. The board will also elect officers, appoint a FOIA officer, and discuss the actuarial funding policy.

• Approval of bills and cash management policy
• Investment reports from Sawyer Falduto and IPOPIF
• Membership application for Kevin Guzman
• Fiduciary liability & cyber risk insurance renewal
• Board officer elections and FOIA officer designation

Community Relations Commission

The Community Relations Commission discusses ideas for the 2027 Silver Jubilee, including a theme, essays, and a special giveaway, and reviews upcoming 2026 events such as a sports outing, Juneteenth, and a Back to School event.

• Planning for 2027 Silver Jubilee: collect tickets, wear same color/name tags, change event time to 9 am-Noon, create special giveaway item, add 'State of the Dream' guest comment, and develop a theme with essays
• Review of 2026 events: Sports Outing (baseball game at Impact Field, T-Shirt giveaway, DOGS Team), Juneteenth (June 19), Back to School Event (Aug. 15) with backpacks from a not-for-profit, and finalization of food/snacks/games/vendors
• Possible assignment of a coordinator to track progress on 2026 events

Board of a Whole

The Board of a Whole will consider several decision items, including a site access agreement for electric vehicle chargers under the Illinois Finance Authority program, approval of payroll and bills, and a resolution to transfer appropriated money. Also up for a vote is pay request 4 for the Illinois Prairie Path Lighting Project and a designated handicap parking space at 437 Granville Avenue. The meeting includes department reports and an oath of office for three new patrol officers.

• Approval of Resolution 26-03 to transfer money between corporate purposes
• Approval of Site Access Agreement for Electric Vehicle Chargers under the Illinois Finance Authority program
• Approval Pay Request 4 from Utility Dynamic Corporation for the Illinois Prairie Path Lighting Project
• Establishment of a designated handicap parking space at 437 Granville Avenue
• Oath of Office to Patrol Officers Jacqueline Gamboa, Christopher Stock and Kevin Guzman

The Board-of-a-Whole meeting was largely procedural, with no reports from department heads and no votes on substantive items. Committee chairs previewed several items for action at the July 27 Regular Board Meeting, including payroll approvals, a resolution to transfer funds, a site access agreement for EV chargers, a pay request for the Prairie Path Lighting Project, and a handicap parking space request. The only action taken was the administration of oaths of office to three new patrol officers and a motion to adjourn.

• Administered oaths of office to Patrol Officers Jacqueline Gamboa, Christopher Stock, and Kevin Guzman
• Adjourned meeting at 8:17 PM (motion by Trustee Johnson, seconded by Trustee Delgado, all aye)

Regular Board

The Village Board will consider a $68.8 million appropriation ordinance for the coming fiscal year, a new ordinance tightening registration requirements for foreclosed and vacant properties, and a resolution to levy an additional 0.02% tax for library purposes. The meeting also includes a consent agenda with routine financial reports and department updates, and a vote on a special use permit for a barbershop at 28 Hillside Avenue.

• Appropriation Ordinance 26-07 for $68,835,875.00
• Ordinance 26-09 replacing vacant building registration with registration for foreclosing mortgages and vacant property
• Resolution 26-02 to levy an additional 0.02% tax for library purposes
• Motion to approve SMC Construction Services for project management of the Municipal and Library Complex renovation at 431 Hillside Avenue
• Motion to grant a special use permit for Elitee Studios Barbershop at 28 Hillside Avenue

The board approved Appropriation Ordinance 26-07 for $68,835,875.00, adopted a new vacant property registration ordinance, and selected SMC Construction Services for the municipal complex renovation. It also granted a special use permit for a barbershop at 28 Hillside Avenue and approved a library tax levy increase of 0.02%.

• Approved $68,835,875.00 Appropriation Ordinance 26-07 (4-0)
• Adopted Ordinance 26-09 replacing vacant building registration with foreclosing mortgages and vacant property rules (4-0)
• Approved Resolution 26-02 levying additional 0.02% tax for library purposes (4-0)
• Selected SMC Construction Services for municipal and library complex project (4-0)
• Approved Pay Request 3 for $155,783.25 to Utility Dynamic Corp. for Prairie Path Lighting Project (4-0)
• Granted special use permit for Elitee Studios Barbershop at 28 Hillside Avenue (4-0)
• Approved intergovernmental agreement with Hillside-Berkeley Water Commission for video system equipment sharing (4-0)
• Placed on file Zoning Board minutes granting variance at 539 Irving Avenue (4-0)

Public Hearing

The Hillside Village Board will hold a public hearing to present the second reading of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 appropriation ordinance. No other substantive items are on the agenda.

• Second reading of the FY 2026-2027 appropriation ordinance

The Village of Hillside held a public hearing for the second reading of the annual appropriation bill for fiscal year 2026-2027. No public comments were made. The hearing was adjourned after a motion to close the public comment portion was approved unanimously by the trustees present.

• Closed public comment portion of hearing (4-0, with two trustees absent)

Regular Board

The Village Board will consider a consent agenda including $1.56 million in May bills, payroll, bond payments, and tax reports. Separate votes are scheduled for a three-year holiday lighting contract with Light Up The Burbs, a GIS services proposal, and an ordinance adding stop signs at Ridge Avenue and East End Avenue. A first reading of the 2026-2027 appropriation ordinance will also be presented.

• Payment of bills for May 2026: $1,558,121.38
• Three-year holiday lighting proposal with Light Up The Burbs: $74,337.50 (Year 1), $78,250.00 (Year 2), $82,162.50 (Year 3)
• GIS services proposal from Crossroads GIS Solutions: $11,000.00 for one year
• Ordinance 26-08 to add permanent stop signs at Ridge Avenue and East End Avenue
• First reading of 2026-2027 Appropriation Ordinance 26-07

Board of a Whole

The Hillside Board of a Whole will consider approving a resolution to levy an additional 0.02% tax for library purposes, and will vote on approval of gross payroll for late May and early June 2026, as well as June bills. The board will also receive information on upcoming public hearings, including a June 22 hearing on the FY 2026-2027 appropriation and a June 9 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on a variance request at 539 Irving Avenue and a special use request at 28 Hillside Avenue. Other informational items include community events such as a Juneteenth festival, summer concerts, and an art show.

• Resolution 26-02 to levy an additional 0.02% tax for library purposes (decision item)
• Approval of gross payroll for May 10–23 and May 24–June 6, 2026 (decision item)
• Approval of bills for June 2026 (decision item)
• Public hearing June 9 on a variance at 539 Irving Avenue to increase impervious lot coverage from 20% to 24.9% in R-2 zoning
• Public hearing June 9 on a special use request at 28 Hillside Avenue in B-1 General Business District

Community Relations Commission

The Hillside Community Relations Commission discussed planning for the 2027 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, which will be the 25th anniversary celebration. Suggestions included collecting tickets, coordinating attire, adjusting the event time, and creating a special giveaway. The commission also reviewed upcoming 2026 events including a Sports Outing, Juneteenth, Back to School Event, and Prairie Path Festival, and may assign a coordinator to track progress.

• Dr. MLK Jr. Breakfast 2027 Silver Jubilee planning: larger venue, ticket collection, coordinated attire, name tags, time change to 9 am–Noon, special 25th anniversary giveaway item, and new 'State of the Dream' speaker category
• Sports Outing (potential White Sox game) – Dennis to provide update
• Juneteenth (June 19) – under discussion
• Back to School Event (Aug. 15) – backpacks to be provided by a not-for-profit organization
• Prairie Path Festival (Oct. 3/4)

Youth Commission

The Hillside Youth Commission will discuss planning for Halloween and other events suggested at the last meeting, and review the recent Egg Hunt and upcoming Frog Lady program.

• Review of Egg Hunt held April 4, 2026
• Discussion of Frog Lady event on June 5, 2026
• Planning for Halloween on October 31, 2026
• Discussion of Santa and other events from last meeting