mokena fire protection district logo graphic.5

Mokena Fire District Approves Annual Budget After Public Hearing

The Mokena Fire Protection District Board of Trustees unanimously adopted its budget and appropriation ordinance for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, finalizing the district’s spending plan after a formal public hearing during its June 10 meeting.

The approval of Ordinance No. 2025-3 sets the legal appropriation for the district for the fiscal year that began June 1, 2025, and ends May 31, 2026.

Accountant James Howard, attending the meeting via Zoom, presented the tentative budget to the board. District attorney John Motylinski was also present to advise the board on the legal requirements of the process.

Trustee Robert Hennessy motioned to open the public hearing at 7:34 p.m., which was seconded by Trustee Craig Warning and approved by a unanimous roll call vote. No members of the public were in attendance to comment on the budget.

With no public input, the board immediately moved to close the hearing. Immediately after, Warning made a motion, seconded by Trustee Ken Blank, to formally adopt the budget ordinance. The motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote from Trustees Haas, Blank, Hennessy, Burkhardt, and Warning.

The newly adopted budget includes a previously discussed $15,000 line item for firefighter cancer screenings, a health and safety benefit added by Fire Chief Joe Cirelli to support early detection for personnel.

Following the vote, the board signed the necessary documents. The district’s legal counsel, Ottosen Dinolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd., will now publish and file the ordinance with Will and Cook counties as required by law.

In other financial news, Chief Cirelli reported that the district’s annual audit is “well underway.” He told the board the process will take a few months and that the auditor is expected to present the final report in the fall. The board also approved the payment of monthly bills totaling $165,680.52.

Events

No events

Latest News Stories

WATCH: Map debate, case against Texas Democrats continues in Illinois

WATCH: Map debate, case against Texas Democrats continues in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois Republican lawmaker says a judge’s ruling this week did not end the case against Texas...
WATCH: Illinois GOP State Fair rally takes aim at Pritzker, ‘woke agenda’

WATCH: Illinois GOP State Fair rally takes aim at Pritzker, ‘woke agenda’

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Republicans took their turn at the Illinois State Fair to call out Illinois Democrats for what the...
WATCH: Small business group: Pritzker-signed bills are wrong move

WATCH: Small business group: Pritzker-signed bills are wrong move

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation that he says will protect workers, but a small business advocate...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 14th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 14th, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from...
Chicago’s commercial property taxes spike to twice national city average

Chicago’s commercial property taxes spike to twice national city average

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago business owners are now being forced to pay some of the highest commercial property taxes...
Illinois quick hits: Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats; no charges for police

Illinois quick hits: Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats; no charges for police

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats An Adams County judge has rejected a lawsuit against 33 Texas House Democrats who absconded...
Illinois judge rejects Texas legislature lawsuit over absconding Dems

Illinois judge rejects Texas legislature lawsuit over absconding Dems

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois judge has rejected a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas against 33 House...
Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking law signed; Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination

Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking law signed; Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Human trafficking law signed Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation requiring state agencies to develop a strategic unified plan to build...
WATCH: Nearly 400 people become U.S. citizens at Illinois State Fair

WATCH: Nearly 400 people become U.S. citizens at Illinois State Fair

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Nearly 400 people from more than 70 different countries became naturalized U.S. citizens Wednesday at the Illinois...
WCO-Landfill-8.5.25.1

Will County Receives Detailed Update on Landfill Expansion Investigation

Article Summary: The Will County Landfill Committee received a comprehensive technical update on the site investigation for the planned horizontal expansion of the county landfill, confirming the project remains on...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Landfill Committee for August 7, 2025

The Will County Landfill Committee on Thursday heard a detailed technical update on the ongoing investigation for the county landfill expansion, confirming that the complex project remains on schedule. Consultants...
Green-Garden-Logo.WP

Green Garden Township Moves Forward with New Town Hall Plans, Awaits Grant Approval

ARTICLE SUMMARY: Green Garden Township is advancing with preliminary work for a new town hall, having met with architects and a civil engineer, while awaiting Will County's final approval to...
Green-Garden-Township-Graphic.1

Township Board Approves Budget Transfers to Fund Assessor’s Staff and Correct Rent Payment

ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Green Garden Township Board approved Resolution 2025-005, which reallocates a total of $25,200 within the town fund to provide necessary staffing funds for the assessor's office and to...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

County Rep Cites Solar Lawsuits, Grant Shortfalls as Key Issues Facing Will County

ARTICLE SUMMARY: Will County Board member Sherry Newquist reported that the county is navigating lawsuits related to solar farm approvals and anticipating budget challenges from the loss of federal grant money....
Assessor

Assessor’s Office Hires Staff to Handle Workload After 6% Multiplier Hits Property Owners

ARTICLE SUMMARY: Following the application of a 6% property assessment multiplier across Green Garden Township, the assessor's office has hired a new staff member to help manage the increased workload and...