Homewood welcomed a new trustee at the Nov. 9 regular board meeting.
Chenise “CeCe” Belue was appointed to fill a vacancy after Barbara Dawkins resigned following her appointment as an associate judge in the Cook County Circuit Court.
Mayor Richard Hofeld said since Dawkins’ resignation, he discussed the trustee spot with three potential candidates and three additional candidates. Dawkins joined him in the process as it was her desire to have “a candidate she felt brought forward the values and goals that we all share,” Hofeld explained.
“Both Barbara and I agree that CeCe Belue would be the best choice for the village board,” he said.
Belue is a member of the Homewood Beautification Committee and a former Homewood Public Library board member. She has worked as a classroom teacher and administrator in the South Suburbs. She’s also been an administrative data coordinator and an assistant principal in an elementary building.
She stood with her family members as she was sworn into office Tuesday, raising her right hand to take the oath before the board and audience. Her term will run until April 2023.
She said she’s excited to be able to embark on a new chapter and to serve Homewood residents.
“Balanced representation is imperative,” she said. “I want to make sure my presence is one that makes all residents feel valued and heard.”
After Belue was sworn in, the board went on to appoint Dawkins to the village’s Economic Development Committee for a two-year term.
The board also reappointed Tree Committee members Deborah Baldauf, Carolyn Bury and Karl Person.
In other business, the board approved its 2021 tax levy, which is the amount of money a taxing body can request from the overall property taxes that are paid by residents within a taxing district, according to a village document.
Homewood’s total 2021 real estate tax levy for municipal operations, pension obligations and debt service is $6,881,974. That is a 3.8% increase from last year. The village is allowed to increase its tax levy from the previous year based on two factors: the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the change for new construction value over the preceding calendar year.
The board granted a special use permit and a parking variation to allow operation of a hair salon at 2413-2415 W. 183rd St. Jamilah Anderson, who submitted the request, currently has a salon at 18350 Kedzie Ave.
The board also approved a commercial sales contract with the Homewood Brewing Company for the sale of the former Bogart’s Charhouse property at 18225-55 Dixie Highway.
Tuesday’s approval is a step toward redeveloping the property into a single-story brewery at the site. It would include a brewhouse, full-service kitchen, a taproom, dining room and outdoor seating.