Mayor of West Chicago, IL

09/02/2026

State of the City
August Update

09/01/2026

Estado de la Ciudad
Actualización de Agosto

08/26/2026

Great Video from Coach Tamayo
Muy buen video de entrenedor Tamayo.

08/23/2026

Actualización sobre las canchas de futsal

Permítanme aclarar por qué me sentí frustrado en nuestra última reunión del concejo. No estaba pidiendo un trato especial para el proyecto de fútbol sala (*futsal*). Tampoco abogaba por ignorar nuestros procedimientos legales. Mi frustración se debía a que considero que, a lo largo de este proceso, algunos (aunque no todos) de los miembros veteranos del concejo y comisionados han estado planteando múltiples obstáculos al proyecto propuesto —actuando como quien lanza "espaguetis contra la pared" para ver qué se pega— con la esperanza de que algo prospere.

No ha sido costumbre del concejo municipal remitir todas las modificaciones del texto de zonificación al Comité de Preservación Histórica (véase, por ejemplo, la reciente modificación que permitió la instalación de estudios de danza y yoga en el centro de la ciudad). Debido a lo que consideré un obstruccionismo mezquino por parte de unos pocos miembros del concejo (no de todos), tuvimos que gastar una suma que probablemente ascenderá a miles de dólares en un dictamen jurídico. Este dictamen terminó confirmando exactamente lo que yo había dicho en la reunión: que no estamos obligados a consultar al Comité de Preservación Histórica sobre modificaciones de zonificación que no afectan a la preservación de estructuras.

También me sentí frustrado porque consideraba que nuestra inacción perpetuaba una tendencia a ignorar las peticiones de nuestra comunidad latina. Para que quede claro: personas de todos los orígenes juegan al fútbol. Algo que me encanta de las canchas de fútbol sala en el centro es que reunirán a personas que no hablan el mismo idioma. Sin embargo, la realidad —y así lo reflejaron los testimonios del público el lunes— es que la comunidad latina lleva al menos 50 años solicitando instalaciones para practicar fútbol y solo ha recibido silencio como respuesta.

Esto forma parte del compromiso que adquirí al postularme para la alcaldía: afirmar que todos los sectores de nuestra comunidad merecen tener voz y voto. Estoy convencido de que el obstruccionismo burocrático y procedimental, como el que estamos viviendo con el proyecto de fútbol sala, ha sido un factor determinante que ha frenado durante décadas nuestros esfuerzos por revitalizar el centro de la ciudad.

08/23/2026

Futsal Courts Update

Allow me to clarify why I was frustrated at our last council meeting. I was not arguing for any special treatment for the futsal project. I was not advocating for abandoning our legal processes. The frustration was that I believe that, throughout this process, some (not all) of the senior council members and commissioners have been tossing out multiple obstructions to the proposed futsal project (like the proverbial “spaghetti against the wall”) just hoping something will stick.

It has not been past city council practice to send every zoning text amendment to the Historical Preservation Committee (see, for instance, the recent zoning amendment allowing dance studios and yoga downtown).

Because of what I believed to be petty obstructionism on the part of a few council members (not all), we had to spend what will probably amount to thousands of dollars on a legal opinion which ended up saying exactly what I said in the council meeting: that we are not required to check with the HPC about zoning text amendments which are not relevant to the preservation of structures.

I was further frustrated because I believed our inaction was continuing a trend of what I believe has been an ignoring of our latino community’s requests. To be clear, people of every background play soccer. One thing I love about downtown futsal courts is that they will bring people who don’t speak the same language together. But the fact is (and the testimony of the public on Monday was) that the latino community has been asking for soccer facilities for at least 50 years and has been met with silence. This is part of what I committed to when I ran for mayor saying that every part of our community deserves a seat at the table.

It’s my belief that bureaucratic and procedural obstructionism such as what we are experiencing with the proposed futsal project has been a major factor in holding back our downtown revitalization efforts for decades.

08/19/2026

I have received a lot of questions about how the data center being built on Washington was approved. When the project was proposed to the previous administration, the city council on November 18, 2024 took action to allow Data Centers “by right” as a permitted use in the manufacturing district. Here is the action taken by the previous sitting City Council at that time. I will add the relevant documentation in the comments. The current administration has placed a six month moratorium on new data centers to research what changes should be made to our policies.

08/14/2026

La familia que recibió un bill de $30,000 para el agua

08/14/2026

A water billing success story.

08/07/2026

I’m deeply saddened by the allegations reported today. Our community deserves to be informed, and I want to thank the West Chicago Police Department for its work in responding to this matter.

These reports, involving alleged harm perpetrated against children, are not only disturbing, but heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers are with the individuals and families affected. I’m proud of the brave children who reported what they knew. Any time a crime is committed by those entrusted to care and protect, it is a terrible violation of trust. That trust is so difficult to regain.

It is important for us to remember that more than 1,100 teachers and school staff in West Chicago work every day to educate and care for more than 6,000 children in our community. The allegations involving one individual should not diminish the dedication and service of the many educators and staff who serve our children each day.

As this matter proceeds through the legal process, know that this administration remains committed to justice and to the safety of every member of our community and our children most of all.

Me entristecen profundamente las acusaciones dadas a conocer hoy. Nuestra comunidad merece estar informada, y quiero agradecer al Departamento de Policía de West Chicago por su labor al atender este asunto.

Estos informes, que involucran presuntos daños cometidos contra niños, no solo son inquietantes, sino desgarradores. Mis pensamientos y oraciones están con las personas y familias afectadas. Me siento orgulloso de los valientes niños que denunciaron lo que sabían. Siempre que se comete un delito por parte de quienes tienen la responsabilidad de cuidar y proteger, se produce una terrible violación de la confianza. Una confianza que resulta muy difícil de recuperar.

Es importante recordar que más de 1.100 maestros y miembros del personal escolar en West Chicago trabajan a diario para educar y cuidar a más de 6.000 niños de nuestra comunidad. Las acusaciones que involucran a una sola persona no deben restar valor a la dedicación y el servicio de los numerosos educadores y miembros del personal que atienden a nuestros niños cada día. A medida que este asunto avanza por la vía legal, sepan que esta administración mantiene su compromiso con la justicia y con la seguridad de todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad, y, sobre todo, de nuestros niños.

Former West Chicago Elementary School Teacher Charged
with Sexually Abusing Students

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury announced today that a former West Chicago third grade teacher from Aurora has been accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with multiple students. Mario Garcia, 54 (d.o.b. 3/10/1972) of the 2500 block of Looking Glass Court, Aurora, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with two counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child (Class X Felony), five counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 1 Felony) and four counts of Aggravated Battery (Class 3 Felony). At his court appearance, Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to detain Garcia pre-trial.
On May 14, 2026, the West Chicago Police Department and the DuPage County Children’s Center were notified by authorities at the school that a third grade teacher at the school had allegedly touched several students inappropriately. Through the course of their investigation, law enforcement identified Garcia as a suspect in the case. Following a thorough, child-sensitive investigation, it is alleged that during the 2025-2026 school year, Garcia inappropriately touched five students on multiple occasions.
“The allegations against Mr. Garcia are extremely disturbing,” Berlin said. “It is alleged that he used his position of trust and authority as a teacher to sexually assault and abuse multiple students. I commend the authorities at West Chicago School District 33 and at Currier Elementary School for immediately bringing this matter to our attention and I want to stress that today’s charges are in no way indicative of the outstanding, professional faculty and staff employed by School District 33. Their commitment to the students at Currier Elementary School and all the schools throughout the entire district is unwavering and it is because of their efforts and cooperation with the investigation we were able file these charges against Mr. Garcia. I also thank the West Chicago Police Department, the DuPage County Children’s Center and Assistant State’s Attorney Cathy Nusgart for their work not only in this case but for their continued efforts protecting our children. The safety and well-being of our children remain my office’s highest priority, and we will take all necessary actions to ensure that anyone engaging in this type of conduct is held accountable.”
“The allegations in this case are deeply concerning, particularly given the trust our community places in those who work with children,” Fleury said. “Our thoughts are with the children and families affected as this matter moves through the legal process, and our department remains committed to providing appropriate support. We appreciate the prompt notification and cooperation of Currier Elementary School and School District 33 officials, which allowed our officers to begin investigating immediately. I am grateful for the diligent work of our investigators and our partners at the DuPage County Children’s Center and State’s Attorney Bob Berlin’s Office. We will continue working together to protect the safety and well-being of children in our community.”
Garcia’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 31, 2026, in front of Judge Ann Celine Walsh. Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

07/13/2026

Just signed a letter which will replace 225 of West Chicago's estimated 784 lead service lines. This is us being proactive and working to replace lead lines faster than what we are required to by the state.