Berwyn Democracy Watch

06/01/2026

🚨 MEETING ALERT: Rescheduled Committee Meetings This Wednesday with Public Comment

🗣️ Public Comment & Engagement
At its core, public comment is the legal and bridge between a community and the people who make decisions for it. Whether it's a small local school board, a city council, or an aldermanic committee, public comment is an important moment where people get to look decision-makers in the eye and speak their minds. Civic engagement is important for a healthy democracy.

🏊 Pool Feasibility & Design Exploration Ad Hoc Committee:
The city is taking the first major, concrete steps toward building a new pool infrastructure project. The language decided in this meeting will shape the project for years to come.

🔹The Big One: RFP Draft Discussion (Items 7 & 8): The committee will discuss the draft for the Pool Feasibility and Design RFP (Request for Proposal). An RFP is the official document the city sends out to invite private firms to bid on designing and studying the project. Why it matters: The specific language in this draft determines exactly what the committee is asking for on behalf of Berwyn taxpayers.
🔹Chair & Member Updates (Items 5 & 6): Updates on information gathered since the last meeting.
🔹Timeline & Roadmap (Items 9 & 10): Setting the near-term next steps for the feasibility study and design phase.

🚒 🚓 Fire & Police Aldermanic Committee
The Main Agenda: Presentation of the Fire & Police Commission’s Annual Report (published 1/12/2026). This document serves as the official record of administrative activities, hiring, personnel changes, and departmental oversight for the past year.

🔹Review the Report: You can read the full 2025 Annual Report online here: https://www.berwyn-il.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/7167/639040717124170000

05/28/2026

According to reporting by Cicero Independiente and MuckRock, Koppers hired a public relations firm to form a private "Community Advisory Panel" following initial negative press about plant emissions.

Those meetings were quietly held at the YMCA in Berwyn with select local officials including the Mayor of Stickney and Fire Chief to frame Koppers as a safe and favorable community partner.

These meetings were hidden from the public and uncovered through a freedom of information request.

https://www.ciceroindependiente.com/english/cicero-news-muckrock-koppers-iepa-pr-foia-air-pollution-stickney-local-officials-berwyn-ymca-community-meetings-morton-college?fbclid=IwY2xjawSEgqNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKbEgzOUdtWjlhNTQwRXJHc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlr-1R1fC2_R6qoYWEHKzs1g2MvJzt_Wdp_cm_v6EAP5p97NIlHMk818mfYA_aem_yQEm6uGscsluCJFKgRRuWg #:~:text=By%20Derek%20Kravitz%2C%20Jorge%20Martinez,location%20of%20the%20company's%20plant

05/27/2026

🚨D98 Board of Education Update🚨

At last night’s Regular Board Meeting (May 26), the Berwyn North School District 98 Board of Education voted 5–1 to pass a "Resolution for the Removal of the Board President."

Current Board President Clara Bruno was absent from the meeting.

⚠️ What this means: This vote does not remove Ms. Bruno from her elected seat on the school board. Instead, it triggers a formal process to remove her leadership duties and re-assign the role of Board President and potentially the Vice President.

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1779811846/bn98org/cl1e2drcq3oehlzizxam/PUBLICMAY263.pdf

05/21/2026

Upcoming Meeting: Berwyn Aldermanic Building & Zoning Committee

Chair Sara Barnett Bruckmann Berwyn 7th Ward Alderwoman
Member Alderman Robert "Bob" Fejt
Member Joe Carmichael Berwyn’s 8th Ward Alderman

📅 Meeting Details
When: Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Where: City Hall Conference Room – 2nd Floor (6700 W. 26th Street)
💻The meeting will be streamed live via the Boxcast Livestream Link and available for viewing on the City of Berwyn's YouTube Channel.

📋 What’s on the Agenda?

🔹Approving Past Minutes: The committee is set to approve minutes from meetings dating back to August 18, 2025, August 25, 2025, and November 5, 2025. Approving meeting minutes in a timely manner is a key requirement of the Open Meetings Act (OMA) to ensure government transparency and a reliable public record.

🔹Ordinance Changes (Vegetation and Weeds): The main legislative item up for discussion is a review of proposed changes to Chapter 690 - Vegetation and Weeds. Local w**d ordinances often dictate everything from how high your grass can grow before you face a fine, to what kinds of native plants or rain gardens residents are allowed to cultivate. If you are a local gardener or homeowner, you may want to tune in to see how these changes might impact your property.

🔹Open Forum: This is your opportunity to address your local government about local zoning, building codes, the vegetation ordinance or just anything, make sure to utilize the public comment portion.

05/20/2026

🏗️City Uses Park District-Leased Land for 34th Street Staging Without Prior Notification

The City of Berwyn has initiated work on the 34th Street construction project, utilizing the property at the corner of Oak Park Avenue and 34th Street as a primary staging area and the site of its recent groundbreaking ceremony. However, reports from the Berwyn Park District's board meeting on Tuesday, May 19th, indicate that the District was not notified of this arrangement in advance.

While the City of Berwyn owns the parcel, the land is currently under a 99-year lease signed in 2018, which grants operational control and maintenance responsibilities to the Park District.

⚠️The Key Issues:
During Tuesday's meeting, the breakdown in communication between the two public bodies highlighted several logistical and legal concerns:

🔹Lack of Intergovernmental Coordination: According to reports, the City Engineer stated that the administration was unaware the property was leased to the Park District. For observers, this raises questions about City Hall's tracking of existing legal agreements and mirrors previous friction over municipal property management, such as the past dispute regarding Serenity Park on 26th Street.
🔹Liability Exposure: Because heavy equipment and construction materials are currently occupying the site without an active, updated agreement between the entities, the Park District is facing a potential liability risk. Without specific legal protections tied to this project, the District could be held responsible for any accidents or damages that occur on the property.

⚖️Necessary Legal Remedies
To resolve the impasse and protect public assets, the Park District’s legal counsel has outlined two necessary requirements that the City must fulfill before construction staging continues on the site:

🔹An Amended Agreement: A formal modification to the existing lease that explicitly permits the City and its third-party contractors to use the land for construction staging.
🔹A Certificate of Insurance (COI): A standard legal document naming the Berwyn Park District as an additional insured party, thereby transferring project-related liability away from the District and its taxpayers.

Taxpayers ultimately bear the financial risk and project activity exposes community green space. Until these documents are finalized, the construction remains active without an established intergovernmental framework.

05/20/2026

⚠️ Update: The meeting has been canceled. Stay tuned for details on the rescheduled date! 🗓️

🏊‍♂️ Berwyn Pool Project: Ad Hoc Committee Meets Wednesday May 20th at 6:00PM

The Pool Feasibility and Design Exploration Ad Hoc Committee has scheduled a meeting for tomorrow evening to discuss the next steps for a potential city pool. If you want to track how tax dollars and community spaces are being planned, this is a key meeting to watch.

📅 Meeting Details
When: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM
Where: City Hall Council Chambers (6700 W. 26th Street)
Virtually: You can watch the livestream via Boxcast.

📝 Key Agenda Items to Watch
This isn't just a routine check-in. The committee is diving into the actual paperwork and timelines required to move a major infrastructure project forward. Here are the major items on the table:

🔹Item 5 & 6: Chair & Member Updates – The Chair and Committee Members will provide updates on developments and information gathering that have happened since the last meeting.

🔹Item 7: RFP (Request for Proposal) Draft Discussion – This is the big one. The committee will be discussing the draft for the Pool Feasibility and Design RFP. An RFP is the document the city sends out to invite private firms to bid on designing and studying the project. The language in this draft determines exactly what the Committee is asking for on behalf of the taxpayers of Berwyn.

🔹Item 8 & 10: Timeline & Near-Term Next Steps – The committee will outline the projected roadmap for the feasibility study and design phase.

👥 Democracy Watch: Why This Matters & How to Participate
Public Input (Item 3: Open Forum): There is an open forum early in the meeting. If you have questions about the location, cost, design, or accessibility of a potential pool, this is your chance to voice them directly to the Chair & Committee members.

Transparency Check: A pool is a highly requested community amenity, but it also represents a massive long-term financial commitment. Tracking the RFP process early ensures that the project's scope aligns with what Berwyn residents actually want and can afford.

05/19/2026

🏊‍♂️ Berwyn Pool Project: Ad Hoc Committee Meets Wednesday May 20th at 6:00PM

The Pool Feasibility and Design Exploration Ad Hoc Committee has scheduled a meeting for tomorrow evening to discuss the next steps for a potential city pool. If you want to track how tax dollars and community spaces are being planned, this is a key meeting to watch.

📅 Meeting Details
When: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM
Where: City Hall Council Chambers (6700 W. 26th Street)
Virtually: You can watch the livestream via Boxcast.

📝 Key Agenda Items to Watch
This isn't just a routine check-in. The committee is diving into the actual paperwork and timelines required to move a major infrastructure project forward. Here are the major items on the table:

🔹Item 5 & 6: Chair & Member Updates – The Chair and Committee Members will provide updates on developments and information gathering that have happened since the last meeting.

🔹Item 7: RFP (Request for Proposal) Draft Discussion – This is the big one. The committee will be discussing the draft for the Pool Feasibility and Design RFP. An RFP is the document the city sends out to invite private firms to bid on designing and studying the project. The language in this draft determines exactly what the Committee is asking for on behalf of the taxpayers of Berwyn.

🔹Item 8 & 10: Timeline & Near-Term Next Steps – The committee will outline the projected roadmap for the feasibility study and design phase.

👥 Democracy Watch: Why This Matters & How to Participate
Public Input (Item 3: Open Forum): There is an open forum early in the meeting. If you have questions about the location, cost, design, or accessibility of a potential pool, this is your chance to voice them directly to the Chair & Committee members.

Transparency Check: A pool is a highly requested community amenity, but it also represents a massive long-term financial commitment. Tracking the RFP process early ensures that the project's scope aligns with what Berwyn residents actually want and can afford.

05/12/2026

🚨 MEETING ALERT: D201 Board Meeting Location Change
📍 NEW LOCATION: Morton West Freshman Academy
🏫 2400 Home Ave, Berwyn, IL @ 5:00pm

The J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 appears to be expecting a significant community representation regarding student artwork and allegations of censorship at a recent art show. Given the widespread interest in this topic and the impact on student expression, a large attendance is anticipated. The district is required by law to provide a space that can reasonably accommodate the public.

🕒 The Schedule - What you need to know if you plan to attend
🔹 The meeting begins at 5:00 PM.
🔹 Immediately after roll call, the Board will adjourn to a Closed Session to discuss individuals and pending litigation.
🔹 Public Comment will be held towards the end of the meeting

📢 Public Comment Information - If you wish to speak, there are two specific opportunities:
🔷 Prior to Action Items: Comments are limited to ACTION ITEMS ONLY.
🔷 After Old Business: Comments can be about ANY subject matter.

📝 Official Rules for Speaking
🔹 Sign-in: Use the sign-in sheet if requested.
🔹 Identification: Identify yourself and limit comments to 3 minutes as the Board may strictly enforce this
🔹 Extensions: The Board President may allow an individual to speak for more than 3 minutes if requested.
🔹 Conduct: Maintain respect and civility as a School Property Visitor

⚖️Your Rights:
While the Board policy mentions a 60-minute cap on comments, the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor has previously issued binding opinions stating that public bodies must accommodate all members of the public who wish to address the Board.

Board Meeting Public Comment Rules
https://v3.boardpolicyonline.com/b/j_sterling_morton_201/s/1055398

Agenda
https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/1387?meeting=740713

05/11/2026

UPDATE- MEETING CANCELED

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🏛️Upcoming Meeting: Fire & Police Aldermanic Committee 🚒🚓
📅May 13, 2026 @ 6:00PM - City Hall Conference Room
Chairman: AAlderman Richard E. Leja -3rd WardMember: RRob Pabon Berwyn's 5th Ward AldermanMember: AAlderman Teddy Polashek
📊The primary agenda item for this meeting is the presentation of the Fire & Police Commission’s Annual Report that was published on 1/12/2026. This document serves as the official record of administrative activities, personnel changes, and departmental oversight for the year. You can review the 2025 Annual Report online here: https://www.berwyn-il.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/7167/639040717124170000

👁️Berwyn Democracy Watch Observations:
We have identified several areas where committee transparency and procedures should be improved:

📝Agenda Clarity: Following best practices, the agenda should specify the exact date of the minutes being approved. Additionally, the agenda item for the annual report should explicitly state the year it covers. While the current agenda omits these details, the committee can remedy these gaps by strictly adhering to Open Meetings Act (OMA) procedures during the session to avoid a violation.

📢Public Comment Rights: Once again, Chairman Leja’s agendas continue to misrepresent legal protections for public participation. By law, any member of the public, regardless of being a citizen, has the right to address the government. Furthermore, because this committee has not adopted formal time-limit rules, there is currently no restriction on how long a resident may speak.

🌐Accessibility: The City Calendar is currently missing the link to this meeting; this should be corrected to ensure public access and transparency.

Note on FLOCK Cameras:
The committee will not be discussing FLOCK Cameras during this session. Per the last meeting, the next meeting was to be scheduled when a representative from the Secretary of State can be present.

05/10/2026

📢UNDERSTANDING TRANSPARENCY ALERTS: HOW ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS📢

The primary goal of a Transparency Alert is accountability. It is a call to action to improve the way our institutions serve us.

🏛️A Transparency Alert is a specialized notification used in various fields, most notably in government, non-profits and academia, to flag instances where information is being withheld, processes are opaque, or "predatory" practices are suspected.

🎯It specifically targets the accessibility and honesty of an Organization's operations. Berwyn Democracy Watch focuses on local government and civic monitoring and in the context of municipal oversight a Transparency Alert is often issued when a public body may be in violation of laws like the Open Meetings Act (OMA) or the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Other instances of Transparency Alerts will be to notify the public of the official actions of Government that undermines the democratic process, or withholding information that should be made available to the public freely and not hidden behind bureaucracy.

Common Examples of Transparency Alerts:

📑Hidden Agendas: These alerts are used when meeting agendas are non-compliant or use vague language that prevents the public from understanding what is actually being voted on.

🔓Freedom of Information Acts: Responsive records may share important information that needs to be made public. In addition, if a public body systematically denies, hides records, or ignores requests for public records, an alert helps mobilize community pressure to ensure the "right to know" is respected.

🤝Accessibility & Honesty: This alert targets instances where government business is technically "public" but practically inaccessible such as failing to provide links to virtual meetings or preventing public participation.