April 4, 2025

SSMMA Participates in IML Lobby Day,

Holds Meetings with State Senators 

South Suburban mayors and managers traveled to Springfield this week for the Illinois Municipal League’s (IML) Annual Lobby Day. SSMMA members participating in the drive down were Mayor Rick Reinbold (Village of Richton Park), Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin (Village of Matteson), Mayor John Ryan (Village of Alsip), Mayor Joseph Woods (Village of Park Forest), Mayor Joseph Roudez (Village of University Park), Village Manager Regan Stockstell (Richton Park), Village Manager Anthony Burton (Matteson), Village Manager Tom Mick (Park Forest), Village Administrator Dan Podgorski (Lansing), Village Administrator J Wynsma (South Holland), along with SSMMA staff Kristi DeLaurentiis and David Clay II. 

While only the Senate was in session during the time SSMMA’s delegation was at the Capitol, they were able to meet with Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-19th District), Senator Patrick J. Joyce (D-40th District), Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-15th District), Senator Bill Cummingham (D-18th District) and Senate President Don Harmon (D-39th District).  

Priority topics discussed with the legislative leaders centered on the challenges facing Southland communities and legislation and policy that would impact local municipalities: unnecessary Tier II pension rollback of municipal public safety pensions that meet Safe Harbor standards which would increase the financial burden on local governments and taxpayers; Crime Free Housing legislation that could restrict a municipality’s ability to ensure properties are code compliant and safe for human habitation; transit funding and governance considerations that may impact local representation on transit service boards; capital infrastructure reauthorization and allocations to local municipalities that are long delayed; and the potential for numerous property tax initiatives that could have serious unintended consequences causing municipal revenue shortfalls throughout south suburban communities.  

SSMMA extends its gratitude to all who attended and ensured that Southland priorities were understood by State leaders. For more information on SSMMA’s 2025 Legislative Priorities, visit www.ssmma.org.  

Congratulations Newly-Elected Mayors

On behalf of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association, we would like to congratulate all the returning and newly elected mayors who will be representing the Southland communities. SSMMA would like to be among the first to welcome the following twelve newly elected mayors.

• Mayor-elect Mark Wiater, Village of Crete

• Mayor-elect Jason House, Village of Dolton

• Newly elected to a 4-year term: Freddie Wilson, Village of Ford Heights

• Mayor-elect Toleda Hart, Village of Glenwood

• Mayor-elect Sandra Alexander, Village of Hazel Crest

• Mayor-elect Brian Hardy, Village of Lansing

• Mayor elect George Metanias, Village of Mokena

• Mayor-elect James Hortsman, City of Oak Forest

• Mayor-elect Jim Dodge, Village of Orland Park

• Mayor-elect Marvia Campbell-Pruit, Village of Sauk Village

• Mayor-elect William Joyce, Village of Steger

• Mayor-elect Maxine Reynolds, Village of Thornton

Congratulations!

We also want to offer our sincere thank you and best wishes to all of the mayors that will be concluding their term of office in May. Thank you for your public service to your community and for working to make not only your municipality but also the Southland region stronger during your tenures:

• Michael Einhorn, Village of Crete

• Tiffany Henyard, Village of Dolton

• Ronald Gardiner, Village of Glenwood

• Vernard Alsberry, Village of Hazel Crest

• Patricia Eidam, Village of Lansing

• Frank Fleischer, Village of Mokena

• Hank Kuspa, City of Oak Forest

• Keith Pekau, Village of Orland Park

• Derrick Burgess, Village of Sauk Village

• The late Kenneth A. Peterson, Village of Steger

• Interim Joe Pisarzewski, Village of Thornton

Thank you!

Exelon Foundation STEM Academy

Join the Exelon Foundation STEM Academy, a free, week-long, residential leadership program at DePaul University! Designed just for young women curious about energy and sustainability, this program offers hands-on workshops, interactive field trips, and small group discussions with inspiring women leaders from across the region.

Apply here.

SPC Awards Lane Marking Contract Extension – Book by April 11 for 2024 Pricing!

The Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) has awarded the first of three (3) possible one-year contract extensions for the 2025 SPC Thermoplastic and Urethane Lane Marking Material and Labor (Contract #229) with Superior Road Marking/HighStar Traffic from April 12, 2025, through April 11, 2026. The 2025 contract extension includes price

increases due to higher material and labor costs.

The Spring NWMC Auction is Less than Three Weeks Away!

Thank you to Flossmoor, Hazel Crest, and Thornton for signing up to participate in the Spring NWMC Surplus Vehicle and Equipment Auction. The auction

will be held at noon on Tuesday, April 22 at America’s Auto Auction (America’s AA) in Crestwood. Now that it’s spring, the auction is the perfect time to cull the herd of vehicles suffering from winter “lot rot” and earn the best possible price.

Sourcewell Has Your Purchasing Needs

As a reminder, the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) has an alliance with Sourcewell, providing members access to over 830 products and services via Sourcewell’s national cooperative purchasing program. For questions or additional information, please contact staff or Sourcewell Associate Director of Government Accounts Jake Denning, 218-895-4140 (office) or 218-296-0612 (cell).

Check out the weekly briefing here.

For more information visit ssmma.org/spc or contact Melissa Doud.