1. Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
2. Roll Call
Council Attendance (Present): Mayor Barnett, Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt, Commissioner Gilmartin, Commissioner Tully, Commissioner Davenport, Commissioner Sarver, Commissioner Roe
Council Attendance (Not Present): none
Non-Voting: Village Manager Dave Fieldman, Village Attorney Enza Petrarca, and Village Clerk Rosa Berardi
3. Proclamations
A. Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
B. Small Business Saturday
The Mayor read both proclamations and asked all to take the time to consider how they may be able to donate time, attention and resources to others. He also asked everyone to consider supporting the small businesses in the community this holiday season.
4. Minutes of Council Meetings
MIN 2024-10539 A. Minutes: Village Council Meeting Minutes - November 11, 2025
MOTION: To Adopt Village Council Meeting Minutes of November 11, 2025, as presented.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
MOTIONED TO APPROVE: Commissioner Tully
SECONDED BY: Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt
AYES: Commissioners Tully, Sadowski-Fugitt, Roe, Sarver, Davenport, Gilmartin and Mayor Barnett
NAYES: None
5. Public Hearing
A. Public Hearing: 2025 Tax Levy
Mayor Barnett called the public hearing to order at 7:06 p.m.
Village Manager Dave Fieldman displayed slides via PowerPoint to assist in his review of the Property Tax Levy. He explained that the Tax Levy is increasing by a total of 2.5% for the year, reflecting approximately a $20 increase on average to homeowners.
Village Council Comments
Commissioner Tully questioned why property taxes are going up, when the tax rate is going down. Manager Fieldman provided an explanation.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Barnett noted there were not many comments made by the Council because this topic has been discussed many times as a part of the LRP process over the past few months.
Mayor Barnett adjourned the public hearing at 7:11 p.m
6. Public Comments
Mayor Barnett explained the public comment process. He asked all with comments regarding the Council Member New Business Item to comment during this part of the meeting.
Robin Tryloff, resident, spoke in favor of the Council Member New Business Item and the proposed resolutions. She asked that the members of the public that were in agreement show their support by raising their hands - many members of the public raised their hands.
7. Consent Agenda
COR 2025-10844 A. Claims Ordinance: No. 6629, Payroll - October 31, 2025
BIL 2025-10854 B. Bills Payable: No. 6908 - November 18, 2025
RES 2025-10983 C. Resolution: Approve a Contract with Pirtano Construction Company,
LLC of Addison, Illinois, for Private Water Service Connections
RESOLUTION 2025-76
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF DOWNERS GROVE AND PIRTANO CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, LLC
MOT 2025-11014 D. Motion: Approve an Agreement with Stryker Sales, LLC for Cardiac
Monitors/Defibrillators
RES 2025-11022 E. Resolution: Approve a Second Amendment to the Intergovernmental
Agreement with the County of DuPage for the Construction of Watermain
Improvements
RESOLUTION 2025-77
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF DU PAGE AND THE VILLAGE OF DOWNERS GROVE FOR IMPROVEMENTS ALONG CH 35/55TH STREET
FROM DUNHAM ROAD TO CLARENDON HILLS ROAD SECTION 11-00302-04-CH
MOTION: To Adopt the Consent Agenda of the November 18, 2025 Village Council Meeting, as presented.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
MOTIONED TO APPROVE: Commissioner Tully
SECONDED BY: Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt
AYES: Commissioners Tully, Sadowski-Fugitt, Roe, Sarver, Davenport, Gilmartin and
Mayor Barnett
NAYES: None
8. Active Agenda
ORD 2025-10960 A. Ordinance: Amending Certain Traffic Control, Parking and Speed
Provisions, and Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvements
MOTION: To adopt AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CERTAIN
TRAFFIC CONTROL, PARKING AND SPEED PROVISIONS AND PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, as presented ORDINANCE 6145
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. MOTIONED TO APPROVE: Commissioner Tully
SECONDED BY: Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt
AYES: Commissioners Tully, Sadowski-Fugitt, Roe, Sarver, Davenport, Gilmartin and
Mayor Barnett
NAYES: None
Village Council Comments
Commissioner Roe asked if once approved, it will mean that the speed limits on the streets around the area will change from 25 to 20 mph. Manager Fieldman said if there are streets listed as line items in the report, only those streets would be affected.
Commissioner Gilmartin asked Manager Fieldman to clarify if there are any streets listed.
Manager Fieldman confirmed there were no streets listed, so there are no speed limit changes being made.
9. First Reading
ORD 2025-10981 A. Ordinance: Authorizing the Second Extension of Special Use
Ordinance No. 6044 for 5133 Main Street to Permit Multi-Family Units on
the Second Floor and a Parking Variation
Community Development Director Stan Popovich presented via PowerPoint. He explained the original special use was valid for 1 year and had already been granted one extension. The petitioner is requesting a second extension, until May 14, 2026, so that they can work through issues with ComEd to get power run from transformers to the building, across easements in adjacent properties. .
Village Council Comments
Mayor Barnett asked if the petitioner were to run past the next extension, will they have to submit a new application to continue with the project. Mr. Popovich confirmed the petitioner would need to submit a new application.
ORD 2025-10975 B. Ordinance: Adopting the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget in Lieu of Passage
of an Appropriation Ordinance
Manager Dave Fieldman displayed a PowerPoint slide with the Key Points of the Village’s 2026 Budget. He touched on each of the key points and explained there would be no further presentation for the remaining First Reading Agenda items, as the Tax Levy had already been discussed during the Public Hearing.
Mayor Barnett explained that the Village works hard to put the residents desires into a work plan that applies to the Village Budget. He said anyone with questions should reach out.
Manager Fieldman explained that once all of these budget related items are approved at the next Village Council meeting, there will be no further discussions on the budget.
Village Council Comments
Commissioner Tully explained what abatements and levies are.
Mayor Barnett further explained that abatements are a reflection of the economic activities of the community. He stressed that the work of the EDC is important to pay for the other obligations of the Village.
ORD 2025-10986 C. Ordinance: 2025 Aggregate Tax Levy Ordinance
ORD 2025-10987 D. Ordinance: Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the
First Day of January 2025 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of December 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #4 (Green Acres Subdivision)
ORD 2025-10988 E. Ordinance: Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the
First Day of January 2025 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of
December 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #5 (Atwood Subdivision)
ORD 2025-10989 F. Ordinance: Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the
First Day of January 2025 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of
December 2025 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #6 (Fairview Fire Protection District)
ORD 2025-10990 G. Ordinance: Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the
First Day of January 2025 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of December 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #7 (Dunham Subdivision)
ORD 2025-10991 H. Ordinance: Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the
First Day of January 2025 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of
December 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #8 (Nelson Meadow Subdivision)
ORD 2025-10992 I. Ordinance: Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the
First Day of January 2025 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of December 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #9 (35th & Saratoga Subdivision)
ORD 2025-10993 J. Ordinance: Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the
First Day of January, 2025 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of December 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #10 (Bridgepoint Downers Grove Subdivision)
ORD 2025-10994 K. Ordinance: Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the
First Day of January 2025 and ending on the Thirty-First Day of
December 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #11 (Downtown Downers Grove)
ORD 2025-10995 L. Ordinance: Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the
First Day of January 2025 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of
December 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #12
(Fairview Ridge Subdivision)
ORD 2025-10996 M. Ordinance: Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the
First Day of January 2025 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of
December 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #13 (Kapovich Subdivision)
ORD 2025-10998 N. Ordinance: Abating a Portion of the 2025 Tax Levy Related to the
General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2014
ORD 2025-10999 O. Ordinance: Abating a Portion of the 2025 Tax Levy Related to the
General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2015
ORD 2025-11000 P. Ordinance: Abating a Portion of the 2025 Tax Levy Related to the
General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2016
ORD 2025-11001 Q. Ordinance: Abating a Portion of the 2025 Tax Levy Related to the
General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019
ORD 2025-11002 R. Ordinance: Abating a Portion of the 2025 Tax Levy Related to the
General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2020
ORD 2025-11003 S. Ordinance: Abating a Portion of the 2025 Tax Levy Related to the
General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022
10. Attorney's Report
Pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Downers Grove Municipal Code, Village Attorney Enza Petrarcas presented the following for Village Council consideration:
- An ordinance authorizing the second extension of Special Use Ordinance No. 6044 for 5133 Main Street to permit multi-family units on the second floor and a parking variation
- An ordinance approving the 2025 Aggregate Tax Levy Ordinance.
- An ordinance approving the levying of taxes for the Fiscal Year commencing on the first day of January, 2025 and ending on the thirty-first day of December, 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #4 (Green Acres Subdivision).
- An ordinance approving the levying of taxes for the Fiscal Year commencing on the first day of January, 2025 and ending on the thirty-first day of December, 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #5 (Atwood Subdivision).
- An ordinance approving the levying of taxes for the Fiscal Year commencing on the first day of January, 2025 and ending on the thirty-first day of December, 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #6 (Fairview Fire Protection District).
- An ordinance approving the levying of taxes for the Fiscal Year commencing on the first day of January, 2025 and ending on the thirty-first day of December, 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #7 (Dunham Subdivision).
- An ordinance approving the levying of taxes for the Fiscal Year commencing on the first day of January, 2025 and ending on the thirty-first day of December, 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #8 (Nelson Meadow Subdivision).
- An ordinance approving the levying of taxes for the Fiscal Year commencing on the first day of January, 2025 and ending on the thirty-first day of December, 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #9 (35th & Saratoga Subdivision).
- An ordinance approving the levying of taxes for the Fiscal Year commencing on the first day of January, 2025 and ending on the thirty-first day of December, 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #10 (Bridgepoint Downers Grove Subdivision).
- An ordinance approving the levying of taxes for the Fiscal Year commencing on the first day of January, 2025 and ending on the thirty-first day of December, 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #11 (Downtown Downers Grove).
- An ordinance approving the levying of taxes for the Fiscal Year commencing on the first day of January, 2025 and ending on the thirty-first day of December, 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #12 (Fairview Ridge Subdivision).
- An ordinance approving the levying of taxes for the Fiscal Year commencing on the first day of January, 2025 and ending on the thirty-first day of December, 2025 for Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #13 (Kapovich Subdivision).
- An ordinance abating a portion of the 2025 Tax Levy related to the General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2014.
- An ordinance abating a portion of the 2025 Tax Levy related to the General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2015.
- An ordinance abating a portion of the 2025 Tax Levy related to the General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2016.
- An ordinance abating a portion of the 2025 Tax Levy related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019.
- An ordinance abating a portion of the 2025 Tax Levy related to the General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2020.
- An ordinance abating a portion of the 2025 Tax Levy related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022.
11. Manager's Report
REP 2025-11006 A. Report: Priority Action Item Update
Manager Fieldman explained this is a monthly update of the Priority Action Items. Using a PowerPoint, he displayed a list of the 18 Priority Action Items and reviewed the 10 items that are active and marked as “green”. He provided a sneak peak of what is coming in January with regard to an attainable housing study and possible grant funding through the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.
Deputy Village Manager Mike Baker then provided an update on the Facilities Condition Assessment process. He thanked Building Services Manager Alex Sandberg and his team for their work on this project.
Village Council Comments
Commissioner Gilmartin asked about the type of grant that may be offered through the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. Manager Fieldman said he thinks it is a Federal grant. The Commissioner then asked if information related to the facilities audit is being entered into the database as explained by the consultant. Mr. Baker said all of the information provided to the Village has been delivered via the database and will be available over the next several years.
Commissioner Davenport asked how the Village will know when Village facilities are no longer considered maintainable and if McKinstry could provide projections. Mr. Baker said he would follow up with McKinstry and would report back to the Council.
Commissioner Gilmartin asked for clarification that this will help the Village see when the facilities will be reaching their end of life.
Mayor Barnett explained that once the assessments are complete in Q2, the plan is to take McKinstry’s scoring and planning and have conversations. He said there are policy questions behind maintenance and improvements. Mr. Baker said once a plan of the work to be completed is put together, the Council will be updated, at which point the topic may elevate to the level of policy decision making.
Manager Fieldman noted that thus far, the buildings are considered maintainable. He assured the Council that when this project comes to an end in Q2, they will be provided an update. He said, to the Mayor’s point, a broader discussion will happen at that time.
REP 2025-11007 B. Report: Public Art Program Discussion
Using a PowerPoint, Manager Fieldman explained that this project has its roots in the Village’s Guiding DG Plans - particularly the Downtown Streetscapes Plan and the Fairview Area Plan. He provided staff’s recommendations on the types of the art and suggested locations. Manager Fieldman said he would circle back to the types of art and use the white board to track the discussion a little later in the meeting. He explained that Staff is looking for Council direction and noted that this process will be similar to that of the Civic Center’s Israel Blackburn Plaza. He shared that the total budget for this is a total of $200k. Manager Fieldman spoke about community engagement, including stakeholder meetings and public input. Lastly, he explained the next steps in this process.
Next, Manager Fieldman used the white board to continue the conversation. He reviewed the Staff ‘s suggested guiding principles of the public art.
Village Council Comments
Commissioner Tully said he has an issue with permanently displayed public art and does not want to limit the number of artists that participate. He said the art does not need to change every 3 months, but it should at least every five years or so. He also added that the art should be resilient.
Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt said she agrees with Commissioner Tully and thinks a five year mark is a good idea.
Mayor Barnett said he wants this RFP to include something about art that can be removed.
Commissioner Sarver said the art needs to be something durable - especially with the area's extreme weather conditions and the possibility of vandalism.
Commissioner Roe said he is ok with leaving the art up for a length of time, but the art should be removable.
Manager Fieldman summarized the Council's requests for an agreement with the artist(s) to include art that is durable that will last for a long time, but can be removed in the future.
Commissioner Roe said the goal is to pick art that people from 20 years from now will appreciate.
Commissioner Davenport shared his thoughts that the RFP should include art that is touchable and interactive with the public.
Commissioner Roe said the art should be something that people would want to use in social media posts.
Commissioner Sadowski-Fugutt said the art should tie back to Downers Grove.
Commissioner Davenport agreed the art should be reflective of Downers Grove, also sharing that the history of the Village should be reflected - just as the art does in the Israel Blackburn Plaza Civic.
Commissioner Gilmartin said he agreed that a rotation of the art over time is good for him, but he does not want to put a number of years in which the art will be displayed. He also concurred that the art needs to be removable, is interested in it being lighted, and asked for clarification of it complying with the municipal code. Attorney Petrarca said it would need to comply with the Village Sign Ordinance. He said the principles reviewed by Manager Fieldman feel more architectural than artistic and he is unsure how people would know how to interpret “belongs in Downers Grove”. He shared that he struggles with the terms “timeless” and “authentic” - saying those terms are for buildings. Commissioner Gilmartin said he does not think there should be a limit to the colors used, so the Downtown Design Guidelines should not apply. He said he thinks artists from Downers Grove should receive special privileges, but he isn’t sure the history connection to Downers Grove is as important to him with this as it was with the Civic Center Plaza - he doesn’t think the downtown art should represent a historical person or time.
Commissioner Sarver agreed there should not be a limit put on artists but she thinks her colleagues are being too literal.
Mayor Barnett said this process is to help guide the RFP and the Council needs to consider if the “historical” part of it should be included.
Commissioner Davenport said when speaking of history, artists can go all in all sorts of directions with it. He added that the art does not have to be a bust, but should have a Downers Grove connection.
Commissioner Sadowski-Fugutt suggested a better way to say it would be that the art should reflect a connection to place.
Commissioner Davenport asked the other Council members if they think all three pieces need to be the same theme. The Council said no.
Commissioner Tully said he agrees with giving preference to local artists, but the public art program should not be too detailed, too early on, because they do not want to bring negative attention to this.
Commissioner Roe spoke about controversial art in the City of Chicago. He said art is something that people should like when they see it, even people that are not artistic.
Commissioner Gilmartin spoke of art displayed in Elmhurst to make his point. He said it was vibrant, talked about, and attracted people to the town. The Commissioner shared he is not concerned about the art being offensive to people and he doesn’t think the art needs to be anything like what is displayed in the Civic Center Blackburn Plaza.
Commissioner Roe said that the Elmhurst art was all over social media.
Mayor Barnett asked what the process would be with regard to selection.
Manager Fieldman said that Council feedback would provide Staff with direction as to what the art should be.
Commissioner Roe asked if one artist would be picked for all three. Manager Fieldman said the selection could include one or three artists.
Mayor Barnett said he is happy this is a topic, and shared he thought the list compiled for the RFP seemed too descriptive. He said he understands the Village has a Sign Ordinance and the art must be code compliant, but he does not want that to deter an artist, or firm, from submitting an RFP.
Commissioner Sadowski-Fugutt said the list includes things that should be considered but the art should not be required to check off everything on the list.
Mayor Barnett said the “history” element should just be a recommendation but he doesn’t want to rule out art that is not historically connected.
Manager Fieldman said once Staff finalizes the RFP wording, it will be brought back to the Council and they can review it at that time.
Commissioner Davenport said it's hard to design something without perimeters - he shared that he doesn’t think the Council is being too restrictive, and to the contrary, thinks the list will help the artist to come up with something the Council is hoping to achieve. He added that this is an opportunity for artists to come up with something creative and the list helps to push them in a certain direction. Commissioner Davenport said the wording in the RFP can ask the artists to consider the list as suggestions and not requirements.
Mayor Barnett said the list can be cut down, but still can be used as guidelines. Manager Fieldman said that it will be determined if the proposed art is code compliant during the Staff review process.
Commissioner Gilmartin said the word “complies” is more than guidance, so he is good with taking that off. He reiterated that he does not think the history of the Village has to be considered and asked if the balance of the Council agreed to local artists having preference. The Council concurred.
Commissioner Davenport asked if anything should be said about the scale of the art.
Commissioner Roe said the guidance should be the number of art pieces, where it is going and the size of it.
Manager Fieldman said the scale of the art is important and should be listed.
Commissioner Roe said the art should be interactive.
Mayor Barnett asked if Manager Fieldman thinks Staff has enough direction. Manager Fieldman said he will take Council’s direction back to Staff, and once an RFP is put together, he will bring it back to the Council for review.
Commissioner Davenport asked if this is something that only the Council should be deciding on or if it should include public input.
Mayor Barnett said he thinks this is something that should be put together by Staff, put out to RFP and then the Council can step back in. The process will be similar to that of the Civic Center and Civic Center Plaza.
Commissioner Davenport said he sees this as an opportunity to bring the community along, though he isn’t sure how. He also noted that there are a lot of talented artists in the high schools.
Mayor Barnett said there is a certain reality to taking a step forward and taking the first step is important. He said the world of art is broad and getting the Council to agree is hard enough at this point, so he doesn’t think adding the public now is a good idea.
Commissioner Sarver noted that none of the art should be representative of a religious tradition. She also agreed opening this to the public now may cause issues.
Commissioner Gilmartin asked how the process worked with the Blackburn Plaza. Manager Fieldman said it started with guiding principles of the Civic Center, and then the Council initiated a thematic approach that included a civil rights theme with historical elements. Mr. Baker said it was then turned over to the team leaders, consultants, and the architects who came up with the landscape design, did the historical research, and brought forth the pieces for the plaza for the Council to review.
Manager Fieldman said he would take the Council’s direction back to the Staff team to put the RFP together and once that is complete, it will be brought back to the Council for their review.
12. Council Member Reports
A. New Business
MOT 2025-11021 1. Motion: Discuss Resolutions Regulating Use of Village Owned Property
for Civil Immigration Enforcement Activities and Reporting Potential Court Violations
MOTION: To adopt a Motion to Direct Staff to Prepare 2 Resolutions Regulating the Use of Village Owned Properties for Civil Immigration Enforcement Activities and a second Reporting Potential Court Violations, as presented. GET THIS VERBATIM
RESULT: Motion fails 4-3 by roll call vote.
MOTIONED TO APPROVE: Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt
SECONDED BY: Commissioner Sarver
AYES: Commissioners Sadowski-Fugitt, Sarver and Gimartin
NAYES: Commissioners Roe, Davenport, Tully and Mayor Barnett
Village Council Comments
Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt explained that she has spent a great deal of time with Village staff discussing what the role of local government is and what actions the Village can legally take. She spoke of her disappointment with ICE taking local migrants into custody. She said while she understands that the Village cannot require anyone to show identification, nor can it interfere with arrests, she argued that the Village can prohibit staging on Village property to eliminate the perception that the Village is participating in this activity. She spoke of a federal court ordered review of possible warrantless arrests, which has resulted in the possible release of over 600 migrants that have been arrested. She said as a municipality, when the residents report that there is ICE activity in the Village, she wants to make sure there are eyes on the situation. She said the New Business Item includes two resolutions. The first is to prevent U.S. Border Patrol, and Immigration Customs Enforcement, from staging on Village property. The second ensures a uniformed police officer, with a body camera, is present to observe situations involving ICE or Border Patrol activity when they are reported by Downers Grove community members (by calling the police or 9 1 1). She said the purpose of this is for the police officer to observe, and not interfere with, the situation and to ensure that there is footage - just in case it would be needed in the future.
Commissioner Sarver spoke in support of both aspects of the resolutions. She expressed her opinion that something as simple as keeping a record of ICE activity falls within the Village’s parameters of providing due process to the people.
Commissioner Davenport asked if the State of Illinois has taken any similar action to prohibit staging on State property. Commissioner Sarver said yes, there is a State law prohibiting it.
Commissioner Davenport questioned how the proposed resolutions are going to accomplish the stated goal. He said even if staging is prohibited on Village property, ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol will still do what they want to do. Commissioner Sarver said they could stage themselves on Federal property. Commissioner Davenport said that the Park District, and the other Village partner organizations, would have to follow suit if the Village proceeds with this. He shared he is worried that this may accomplish the opposite of what is expected; explaining that if something is happening in front of the Police Department, that is the best location to observe what is happening. He asked if there were any similar examples of the Village having done something similar to this. The Commissioner shared that what he has seen in the media makes his stomach turn and it is not neighborly. He said it doesn’t feel like “liberty and justice for all”, and he is unsure that these actions will make the residents safer because it will not prevent the actions stated from happening. Commissioner Davenport said he feels helpless and supports Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt's motivation behind proposing these resolutions. Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt replied, sharing that her reason behind doing this is to document what is happening, so that if there are questions about violating citizens constitutional rights, it would all be documented in case there is a court case down the road. Commissioner Davenport asked why there wouldn’t be a record. Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt replied saying because, as of now, the Police Department has not been called out when anyone has been apprehended. She said her motivation is to get the public to call the police whenever they think they have spotted ICE or Border Patrol agents, noting that right now there is a distrust of ICE and the public needs to know that the Police Department is here for the people and ready to document what is happening. Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt noted that this will show the community the Village takes these situations seriously. Commissioner Davenport said anyone in the Village can call the police department, or dial 9 1 1, anytime they feel threatened.
Commissioner Sarver asked if this can be looked at as a symbolic piece of the Village’s commitment to upholding the duty to its residents and the constitution.
Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt said there has never been another time when there have been lawsuits filed against the federal government.
Commissioner Gilmartin supports this and said there is an underlying issue that deserves a discussion by the Council. He said it is not a question as to whether it is happening - it is about how federal agencies are conducting themselves. He said as Commissioners they took an oath to defend the constitution and this is a way to put that oath into action. He said looking at how the federal activity plays into the safety of the residents, the Council owes it to the community to explore this and other actions that can be taken by the Village to enact protections. He said most of the videos they see are from citizens, and this is an effort the Village can take to prevent actions from turning into something ugly. He said one concern he has is the impression it gives to the person calling because the police may not be able to do anything - but he is willing to have a discussion about that.
Commissioner Roe said he thinks this is an uncomfortable conversation to have and he thinks it is important to look at this from a view of representing the residents. One of the problems he has with this is disconnecting his personal feelings from what the Village can actually do. He thinks the Council needs to take their time to be sure that they are setting parameters that can be enforced with good public policy. He is not ready to move forward with resolutions right now and wants to give Staff an opportunity to inform the Council on what actions the Village can take.
Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt thinks the Council has a good start.
Commissioner Tully said he wants to review all of the information Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt received from Staff first before asking staff to prepare resolutions. He shared he appreciates the intent behind this and Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt’s attempt to curtail things, but he is concerned with the complexity of this. He reiterated that he, and his colleagues, need to have the opportunity to review all of the information before moving forward.
Mayor Barnett said he is not in support of this. He thinks this runs the risk of communicating to the public that the Village has done something to make things safer and things will not be any safer than they were. He said that no one likes what they have been seeing on TV - it makes most of the public feel helpless. He said with this, there would be the presumption that when another government entity is on their property, they are breaking the law. He shared that there are many times when DHS has been on Village property to help participate in the policing of the community. He shared he is not prepared to make the presumption that any other government entity is breaking the law. He said he thinks there is a service level that needs to be discussed, because the Village is not prepared to dedicate resources to this. The Mayor asked for the Council to take a different approach to this by having discussions at the dais, and then asking the Village Attorney, Police Chief and Village Manager if there is something that can be done to help with this situation.
Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt said she spent time digging into this and sent her request to the Police Chief and Village Attorney. She said that is how this came about. She said she is letting the residents know that they can call 911 and the police will go out, because she thinks the safety of the residents is at risk.
Commissioner Gilmartin said he is in support of this. He noted that a lot of these incidents have been seen on TV, and the number of incidents has been low, so he disagrees with this being a bandwidth issue. He said the police body cameras are what are important to him, they are evidence and they are able to be obtained through FOIA. The Commissioner said there is an understanding of what the policy is now and Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt put the pre-work in that needed to be done. He said the idea of this going through two or three first readings before going to vote, gives the Council more time to review and discuss the topic. Commissioner Gilmartin shared he thinks the Council should be doing what they can. He said in terms of noy allowing staging in the Village parking lots - it is a facilities management decision that the Council can make. He is in support of this.
Commissioner Sarver said there have been reports that ICE is leaving the Chicagoland area soon, so if waiting too long, any symbolism in the message the Village is trying to convey as a community will be lost. She said there is merit to the Council having discussion, but it should not go on until it’s moot. Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt said there are expectations that ICE activity will ramp up again in the spring, so this would prepare the Village,as a precaution.
Commissioner Tully said this is about what they are asking Staff to do. He reiterated that he has not seen the information that Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt has seen. He shared this is a request for Staff to prepare two new resolutions. He shared that he wants to be comfortable with what the Council’s request is of Staff. If they are asking Staff to present what can be done and what the role of symbolism is - he wants to direct Staff to write the resolution once the information seen by Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt has been reviewed by all.
Commissioner Gilmartin asked if this is any different than the Cat Declawing New Business Item.
Commissioner Tully explained that was within the Village’s Home Rule authority. Commissioner Gilmartin said other municipalities have enacted the same resolutions that Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt has proposed. Commissioner Tully replied by stating that many of those municipalities are subject to potential litigation.
Mayor Barnett said he does not think all of the Council members are familiar with what actions can and cannot be taken by the Village. He said all members need to understand that first before asking Staff to draft something up. The Mayor noted that this should be separated from Cat Declawing, and other Council discussions, because it involves several levels of government.
Commissioner Gilmartin explained that he is not equating Cat declawing to persons disappearing, he was comparing the processes of the Council. He said the two resolutions are narrow in scope and include things that are in the Village Council’s purview. He said he is not looking for issues with the federal government, but the Council has a responsibility to the residents.
Commissioner Roe said the entire Council is admitting that there are problems with what they are seeing, and they all think they need a policy in place, but they all want to make sure what they are doing is right. He said he thinks the Council should pump the breaks to be sure what they are doing is right before moving forward.
Mayor Barnett said that the U.S. Border Patrol and ICE have been in business since shortly after 9-11, and they have done a lot of work that has not been assumed to be illegal, or an infringement of rights He said, assuming the next action in Downers Grove is infringing on someone’s rights, he does not want to give the public the impression that the Council has made things safe for them, because things will not be. He said this does not want to give the public the impression that the Village has made things safer for them or protected them with compelling evidence for future lawsuits.
Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt said this increases the chance the the Village would have a record.
A roll call was taken and the motion failed 4-3. Mayor Barnett said that more discussion is needed and he asked Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt to circulate the questions she gave to Staff. She said she does not have written answers. The Mayor said they are probably questions they all should be thinking about. He also asked for Staff to include more discussions on this topic during their one-on-one meetings with the Council.
Commissioner Tully said the Kane County Board has something similar going on right now and he asked Staff to look into that.
Commissioner Davenport agreed that more information is needed and perhaps they can prepare a resolution in the future.
Commissioner Gilmartin asked what can be done now that the New Business Item failed.
Mayor Barnett said that this limits staff time to work on this for 4 hours per Council member.
Commissioner Gilmartin asked if this action precludes this from coming back to the Council.
The Mayor said it does not.
Council Member Reports
Commissioner Davenport spoke about a recent incident that the Police Department responded to and he thanked them for their work.
Commissioner Gilmartin thanked the Mayor for his proclamations. He wished all a Happy Thanksgiving.
Commissioner Tully reminded all about the Grove Express Race on Thanksgiving morning, the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony the day after Thanksgiving, and he informed all that world-renowned fingerstyle guitarist Murial Anderson will be in Downers Grove on November 29 at First Congregational Church of Christ. He wished all a Happy Thanksgiving.
13. Mayor's Report
Mayor Barnett said that Downtown Downers Grove was the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Revitalization at the Illinois Main Street Conference. He said the downtown is the heart and center of a lot of activities, and asked the residents to take part in the events in the downtown area. The Mayor shared that a lot of hard work has been put into the downtown since 1990 and it has been recognized. He said with regard to Small Business Saturday,all should consider making an intentional decision to engage locally in shopping for the season - it is a way to support the Village.
14. Adjournment
MOTION: To Adjourn the November 18, 2025 Village Council Meeting.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
MOTIONED TO APPROVE: Commissioner Tully
SECONDED BY: Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt
AYES: Commissioners Tully, Sadowski-Fugitt, Roe, Sarver, Davenport, Gilmartin and Mayor Barnett
NAYES: None
The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosa Berardi
Village Clerk
