“May they be led by integrity and a desire to serve with humility and compassion,” Father Joseph Mol said, offering a blessing after four returning aldermen were sworn in at the May 8 Hickory Hills City Council meeting.
The evening covered everything from street racing concerns to summer events, as officials approved construction payments, discussed police responses, and looked ahead to the city’s annual farmers market and car show.
Brian Waight (1st), Deborah Ferrero (2nd), Brian Fonte (3rd), and Steven Makropoulos (4th) all took the oath of office at the start of the meeting.
City Clerk Joe Stachnik administered the swearing-in, while Alderman Scott Zimmerman chaired the session in Mayor Mike Howley’s absence. A short reception followed.
During public comment, resident Joseph Guest raised concerns about a street racing incident that occurred around 2:20 a.m. May5 near 87th and Kean Avenue.
“I’ve tried to contact Cook County several times about drag racing… with no avail,” Guest said. “I’m just curious what the chief has in mind.”
Zimmerman noted the stretch of Kean lies outside city limits, but said Hickory Hills is often used as a cut-through. Police Chief Adam Gulczynski said his department stays in contact with surrounding agencies.
“Commander Evans from the Cook County Sheriff’s Fifth District told us they’ll be putting extra patrols in that area—from 87th all the way to 123rd,” Gulczynski said.
He added that the May 5 gathering appeared to be spontaneous.
“There was no heads-up that that was going to occur, so there was no real plan in place,” Gulczynski said. “A lot of these setups are impromptu.”
When officers responded, drivers fled north toward Interstate 55. Some were arrested by county police in unincorporated Stickney.
To curb future incidents, the city is considering an ordinance that would hold vehicle owners accountable when their cars are used in illegal street takeovers.
Gulczynski said the issue is expected to be discussed at a future meeting.
City Treasurer Alan Vodicka also took time during public comment to thank officers for their response to a wellness check that may have saved a neighbor’s life.
Vodicka said the man, who lives alone and has a heart condition, hadn’t been seen for two days. After his wife’s calls went unanswered, they contacted police.
Officers made entry, found the man had fallen, and called paramedics. “His blood sugar was 30,” Vodicka said. “They got him help—potentially saved his life.”
Zimmerman thanked Vodicka and his wife for taking action. “Kudos to you for watching out for our neighbors and taking care of each other,” he said.
Stachnik later noted that the Committee of the Whole would meet to review the city’s annual budget. The council also voted to suspend those meetings from June through September unless an emergency arises.
City Engineer Mike Spolar presented two pay requests:
- $202,084.98 for the 2025 street resurfacing program
- $338,472 for construction work on 83rd Court
Spolar said paving would avoid the May 15–17 weekend to accommodate a nearby church yard sale.
Water tests on 83rd Court came back clean, and final utility connections are underway. The full project is expected to wrap up in about three weeks.
The council also approved $741,028.03 in city bills.
In other business, police were credited with identifying a driver who damaged a city-owned antique streetlight near the 9600 block of Roberts Road.
The incident happened during the recent baseball parade, when a vehicle went the wrong way on a right-turn-only street and struck the light pole.
Police tracked down the driver and issued an invoice to recover repair costs. Ferrero thanked the department for its investigative work, noting the replacement could cost the city around $8,000.
She also shared updates on the city’s Arbor Day event and upcoming summer schedule. The Arbor Day plant sale sold out in under an hour—a first, Ferrero said.
Planning is also underway for the annual farmers market and car show, which already includes 27 crafters, 13 food vendors, and more than 20 classic cars.
Food trucks this year will include Harold’s Chicken, Hefty Lobster, Kona Ice, Savory Crust, Snow Days, and a Palos Hills-based cheese vendor.
“People have been asking for a cheese guy—he’s coming this year,” Ferrero said.
She encouraged residents to help spread the word.
“If you see the farmers market post on Facebook, give it a share,” she said. “It really helps.”
The next Hickory Hills City Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 22, at 7:30 p.m.
