Bogusz Begins Term as Des Plaines Mayor

Des Plaines Mayor Matt Bogusz spoke about what he has learned from other city council members after being sworn into office on Monday.

Des Plaines Mayor Matt Bogusz began his four-year term after being sworn in before a standing-room-only crowd at city hall on Monday. Bogusz thanked his family, friends and supporters, and spoke about some of what he learned working with other city council members. “We all are a collection, a combination of the experiences we’ve had and the lessons we’ve learned from each other,” Bogusz said. “And I’ve learned a lot from the people I’ve worked with.” Click on the video above to see Bogusz speak about learning from Des Plaines city council members. First Ward Alderman Patricia Haugeberg, Third Ward Alderman Denise Rodd, Fifth Ward Alderman James Brookman, Seventh Ward Alderman Joanna Sojka and City Clerk Gloria Ludwig were also sworn into …

• Videos (1)

Des Plaines Ready to Finalize 2013 Budget on Tuesday

A fourth and final budget hearing will take place at Des Plaines City Hall on Nov. 13. Aldermen and city staff are also scheduled to discuss a water meter replacement program and water bill amnesty program.

Des Plaines City Council is set to wrap up budget details at a meeting on Tuesday. In addition to the final budget approval, aldermen are scheduled to discuss a water meter replacement program and a water bill amnesty program at the fourth and final special annual budget hearing Spending by the City of Des Plaines is projected in the 2013 budget to be $127 million, a 12.9 percent, or $14.5 million, increase from 2012 budget, Michael Bartholomew, city manager, stated in his introduction to the 2013 budget, published on the city’s website. The vast majority of the increase is due to the investment in infrastructure projects of $3.7 million over 2012 in the Capital Projects fund, Bartholomew stated, a $2 million increase in water and sewer …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Bid for City Hall Plumbing Project Approved, Rejected

Officials say the project has changed, and should go through bidding process again.

A bid approved by city council amid objections from some aldermen last month to complete a plumbing project at city hall was rejected, 5-3, at the city council meeting on Monday. Tim Oakley, director of public works and engineering, said because the scope of the project changed, bids should be rejected and a new round of bids should begin later this month. Second Ward Alderman John Robinson, Fourth Ward Alderman Dick Sayad and Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten voted against the measure. Walsten said it was not fair to the bidder to make that information public, then reject the bid. “It is unfair that the bidders had to show their cards,” Walsten said. Stay connected: Receive an email from Des Plaines Patch with headlines in the morning. …

• Photos (1)

Local Equipment Company Ends 2 Year Talks With City Council

R.G. Smith Company will rent out space to contractors

After more than two years of discussion over permits, Des Plaines Aldermen voted to allow R.G. Smith Equipment Co. owners to rent parking spaces on their property to trade contractors and truck owners. The property, located at 655 Seegers Road, is adjacent to R.G. Smith, a truck and trailer equipment supplier. The rental property would allow contractors, such as independent owners of snowplows, to rent space to park their vehicles. There are 48 spaces on the lot. Earlier: recent city council agendas Council members voted to take out limits on the time of day contractors could access the property, adding that in emergency situations, workers would need to quickly get to their vehicle. R.G. Smith owners have been going back and forth with …

• Photos (1)

Alderman Gets $70,000 For On-Duty Injury As Firefighter

Two former firefighters awarded settlements in 2010.

Jim Brookman, 5th ward alderman, received $70,000 in a settlement in 2010 for an on-duty injury he sustained as a Des Plaines firefighter, according to an article at Triblocal.com. Another firefighter, James Kedroski, received $60,000 in 2010 as well.  Both men injured themselves while performing drill exercises and applied for lifetime insurance under the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act. Both men were denied and filed separate lawsuits against Des Plaines. Read the full story here.

• Photos (1)

Alderman Candidates Answer Your Questions

8th Ward Candidates Discuss Red Light Cameras

Candidates Pat Mauro and Mike Charewicz discuss whether they believe Des Plaines should install more red light cameras.

Des Plaines Patch is revisiting the alderman debates that took place at City Hall, in case you missed them. Listen to the candidates in their own words. We are dividing video segments by ward. Patch will be posting candidate video for the rest of the day. The debate was presided over by Illinois State Sen. Susan Garret, who acted as mediator. The questions were taken from the audience.

• Videos (2)