The Elmhurst City Council held its regular meeting on Dec. 16. All 14 aldermen attended the meeting—the city council’s final regular meeting of 2024.
Resident speaks about construction activity near his home
Tom Altergott, who lives on the 100 block of South Rex Boulevard, was the only speaker during the meeting’s public forum segment. Altergott said that he lives next to a house that’s currently under construction. He asked why adjacent homeowners should have to deal with construction activity that extends onto neighbors’ property. He also stated that construction workers trespass on adjacent property.
Grabowski gives information about the updated Elmhurst Connect service request system
Elmhurst City Manager James Grabowski reported during the meeting that the city is preparing to launch an updated Elmhurst Connect service request system for residents. He said the updated system and mobile app will go live on Jan. 8.
According to Grabowski, the updated Elmhurst Connect system will provide residents with a more streamlined and user friendly way to report issues and request city services. Grabowski said there will be no additional action required for residents to submit a service request through the city’s website. He added that the current Elmhurst Connect app would no longer be available to download after Dec. 19.
Grabowski said that residents who had the existing Elmhurst Connect app could continue to use that app until Jan. 8. Starting Jan. 8, users should delete their existing app and download the new Elmhurst Connect app.
Grabowski reported that the updated Elmhurst Connect app will include the same features that residents are familiar with, and that it will provide some improved functionality and a better experience for users. One downside, he said, was that the service request history in the current app would no longer be viewable after the transition to the new app.
Grabowski said residents can always contact the city for more information about the updated Elmhurst Connect system.
Levin comments on party at the Elmhurst Police Department
Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin reported that he had attended a recent party at the Elmhurst Police Department.
Levin said that observing the presentation of various awards to members of the department at that party made him understand what a fine police department the city has. Levin offered congratulations to each officer who received an award.
Mayor and council members salute Deuter, who is leaving city council to serve in the state legislature
The Dec. 16 meeting included a special recognition for outgoing Alderman Marti Deuter, who is leaving the city council to represent District 45 in the Illinois House of Representatives in Springfield.
In November, Deuter, a Democrat, was elected to represent District 45 in the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield. She will be sworn in to her new position on Jan. 8.
Levin noted that Deuter was first elected to the Elmhurst City Council in 2013, and was near the end of her third term on the council. Levin said Deuter was a thought leader on the council, and that other aldermen looked to her to analyze their own positions. He added that Deuter was respected by her peers and the entire city. He stated that he was not sure residents appreciate how much time she put in to her role as an alderman.
Levin said Deuter will be missed on the city council, and that he was very confident she would represent the city well in the Illinois General Assembly.
Other aldermen spoke about Deuter during the meeting, praising her as a wonderful mentor who is trustworthy and respectful. Some aldermen said that even when they disagreed with Deuter, they always respected her.
Deuter thanks colleagues, family and residents in her final meeting as a city council member
Deuter spoke near the end of the meeting and thanked her colleagues for their kind words. She said she appreciated everyone’s comments.
Deuter said that 12 years ago, a neighbor said that an alderman was not running for re-election. That neighbor then asked if Deuter was interested in running for a seat on the city council.
Deuter mentioned that she had done public policy work for the city of Chicago for eight years, and that she had only lived in Elmhurst for about five years when her neighbor suggested she run to serve on the city council.
“When you start doing this work, you very quickly meet people, and it didn’t take me long to realize that it’s the people in Elmhurst who make our community amazing,” said Deuter during her comments at the Dec. 16 meeting.
Deuter said she’s seen what’s possible when people come together, listen to each other, discuss their differences and find middle ground. She said she’s also seen missed opportunities when communication doesn’t happen.
Deuter stated that one of the beauties of local government is its non-partisan nature.
“I don’t think the growing divide in our country makes anyone better off, and there’s no reason, in my opinion, to create division where it doesn’t need to exist,” said Deuter. “Communication is an antidote to division and polarization, and I encourage all of us to engage rather than splinter when there are differences of opinion. Working together, we can accomplish great things.”
Deuter went on to thank her husband, her children, and the residents of Ward 1. She said representing the residents of Ward 1 has been an incredible honor.