Cal City willing to give property tax break to former warehouse site

CALUMET CITY | The City Council passed a resolution recommending a significant property tax break for a former warehouse just south of the Little Calumet River that has sat empty in recent years.

Cal City council in celebratory mood following election victories

CALUMET CITY | “Hey mayor, congratulations on your election,” were the words coming from 5th Ward Alderman Roger Munda as he entered the City Council chambers on Thursday.

Cal City may toughen its loitering ordinance after alderman expresses concerns

CALUMET CITY | The City Council wants to consider changes to its ordinances against loitering, and attorneys said Thursday they will look to Chicago’s ordinances as an example of what alterations could be done.

Jones, Wilson quibble during council meeting

CALUMET CITY | Thaddeus Jones and Brian Wilson used to be political allies, holding joint ward meetings for their neighboring ward constituents and working together on many municipal issues.

Cal City contemplates 'quiet zone' for freight trains

CALUMET CITY | Second Ward Alderman Magdalena “Leni” Wosczynski, asked her City Council colleagues to ask the freight trains that use tracks north of State Street to be more considerate of residents.

City Council OKs cuts to future mayor's benefits

CALUMET CITY | The City Council again tried to adopt an ordinance to reduce the expense account and other perks Calumet City's mayor will receive, beginning with the official chosen in the 2013 election cycle.

Cal City spends on infrastructure repairs

CALUMET CITY | The City Council gave its approval Thursday to a series of expenditures meant to repair roads, sewer lines and other aspects of the south suburb’s infrastructure.

Former mayoral secretary runs for Cal City council seat

CALUMET CITY | Hope Allen used to be one of Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush’s personal secretaries and was a staffer on the “United To Serve You” slate that helped Qualkinbush re-election in 2009.

Officials question activity around Cal City gas station

CALUMET CITY | An alderman was unsuccessful in his desire to have his City Council colleagues revoke the business license of a gasoline station on Sibley Boulevard he said is attracting an undesirable element.

Call City may ask residents if they want electricity aggregation

CALUMET CITY | The City Council will decide next week whether or not citizens will vote Nov. 6 on the question of electricity aggregation, which may result in lower utility rates.

Calumet City approves 12 new cars for police

CALUMET CITY | The City Council last week approved several Police Department expenditures, including 12 new vehicles by the end of 2012.

Cal City honors sales tax sharing pact with real estate developer

CALUMET CITY | The City Council approved payment of a little more than $45,000 to comply with its agreement to share state and home rule sales taxes with a real estate investment trust that handled a renovation of the River Oaks West shopping center in the mid-2000s.

City Council silencing dissent, or maintaining order?

CALUMET CITY | Actions in coming months by the City Council may be seen as an attempt to stifle dissent toward municipal government, but city officials say they’re merely trying to preserve order.

Cal City voters may be asked about electricity aggregation come Nov. 6

CALUMET CITY | The City Council on Thursday went along with a request by Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush to have a committee study the issue of electricity aggregation.

Crossing guards, new inspectors could add to city budget proposal

CALUMET CITY | Aldermen are likely to convene this week to make changes to the appropriations ordinance that will dictate how money is spent this fiscal year. Some are planning to use that hearing to make last-minute additions.

Cal City council OKs speed bump for 3rd Ward street

CALUMET CITY | To 3rd Ward Alderman Thaddeus Jones, the problem on Harding Avenue is an obvious one.

Committee won't support mayor's desire to hire a public relations firm

CALUMET CITY | Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush considers her desire to hire a public relations firm to handle production of a city newsletter to be a simple matter.

Cal City council feels compelled to repeat Pledge

CALUMET CITY | The Pledge of Allegiance usually is a mere formality that begins government meetings across the south suburbs. Yet on Thursday, the City Council felt compelled to recite it twice.

Black Cal City alderman speaks against police in teen's shooting

CALUMET CITY | Ever since police fatally shot a black teen in his home Feb. 1, 4th Ward Alderman Brian Wilson has become an outspoken critic of the Police Department.

Cal City council approves guard rail to protect house

CALUMET CITY | The City Council gave its approval last week to a request to install a new guard rail on Harding Avenue near Stony Island Road to reduce the chance of cars crashing into a house.