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Flossmoor pledges community forum amid continuing policing discussion at board meetings

For the fourth consecutive Flossmoor Village Board meeting since the death of Madeline Miller, discussion continued to be dominated by public calls for change in police practices.

Mayor Michelle Nelson opened the meeting Tuesday, Sept. 6, by noting that the village is working on hosting a community forum on the subject. Specifics on that forum were not immediately available, as Nelson said the village was seeking a moderator.

“What happened on July 10 is a tragedy, and our hearts are with Madeline’s family and all those involved,” Nelson said. “We understand that her family is suffering, and members of the community want to speak about police and community relations. We agree that having a community conversation is one way we can get closer to our shared goal of continually strengthening the relationship between the community and our police department. That conversation is something that is ongoing and should never end. It is our commitment to do whatever we can to keep productive dialog going.”

Miller was killed July 10 by police responding to a report of a domestic disturbance at 1437 Joyce Drive. Since July 18, local residents, activists and Miller’s family have protested outside village hall and commented at the board meetings.

On Sept. 6, Flossmoor Police Deputy Chief Keith Taylor also spoke to explain that while the state requires eight hours of crisis training for every officer, Flossmoor sends its police to 40 hours of training. They also have annual training that includes mental illness recognition, how to work with substance-abuse cases, the effects of medications, conditions that mimic mental illness and how to de-escalate situations involving people in crisis, he said.

“This information demonstrates our commitment to ensuring officers are as well-equipped as they can be to handle an incident involving someone experiencing a mental health episode,” Taylor added.

But Aaron McIntyre, the first member of the public to comment that evening, said more needs to be done, because “at the end of the day, nothing has changed.”

“Clearly, there is still a problem,” McIntyre said. “We can’t ignore the fact that a Black woman died. Clearly those 40 hours and that annual training isn’t working. So why is it that we haven’t implemented anything else?”

Casey Kueltzo reiterated some of the demands of protesters — which include discussion related to Miller on the agenda, release of the names of the officers involved, implementation of the Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) program, an independent investigation into Miller’s death as well as Flossmoor policing practices, a variety of training, and a civilian oversight committee — and said there is definitely interest in a special meeting on the subject.

“This is only coming about because of all of us showing up consistently, using our voices, talking when they don’t want us to, and being here when they don’t want us to,” Kueltzo said. “I think consistency is going to be the only way we get what we want.”

Several other speakers demanded more action from the village, including discussion about the circumstances of Miller’s death.

Board approves MOU with dispensary developer

The village board voted unanimously to approve the action items under its consent agenda — with the exception of Trustee Brian Driscoll abstaining from a motion approving Tag Days for Knights of Columbus. Among the items approved was a memorandum of understanding between the Village of Flossmoor and CESAM LLC for a recreational cannabis dispensary.

CESAM hopes to construct and operate said dispensary at 19725 Governors Highway, the former Sunnycrest Greenhouse property, according to a report by Village Manager Bridget Wachtel. The village is the owner of the property and has been negotiating with CESAM for several months regarding redevelopment of the property, per Wachtel’s report.

The village has agreed to support a Class 8 tax abatement, but the developer would be responsible for a “make whole” agreement for Flossmoor’s share of property taxes, according to the report. The developer also agreed to operate and maintain the cannabis dispensary for at least 10 years and must pay the current appraised value of the property if it defaults on that agreement.

Other business

  • Among the items approved with the consent agenda was a contract to pay Lindco Equipment Sales $264,256 for two dump trucks. The trucks are to be purchased through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program. The trucks being replaced are heavily rusted and have experienced major structural and mechanical repairs, according to a report by Public Work Director John Brunke.
  • With the board’s consent, Nelson appointed Timothy Hammond to the Police Pension Board. Hammond has 32 years of Illinois Police & Fire Pension experience with 14 years as an investment advisor to the Flossmoor Police Pension Board, according to village documents. 

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