Plainfield · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Plainfield public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Police Department EOC Technology Upgrade
The Village is poised to spend up to $607,965.60 on a new outdoor emergency weather siren system from Fulton Siren Services — a significant public-safety upgrade for severe-weather warnings.
Police Department Personnel Matters
The police department reported growing reliance on its embedded social worker program for mental health calls, prompting the board to renew the annual agreement with AID.
PEMA Volunteer Liability and Insurance Coverage
A Plainfield Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) sergeant raised concerns during public comment that PEMA volunteers lack workers' compensation or village-provided medical insurance when injured during non-vehicular operations, citing an unresolved April injury case.
Storm Cleanup and Public Works Infrastructure Repairs
Because the village was omitted from the state's central management road salt purchasing program, the board authorized purchasing 2,500 tons of road salt directly from Midwest Salt for nearly $290,000 to ensure winter readiness.
E-Bike Regulations and Public Safety
A year into Plainfield's e-bike ordinance, police report education and enforcement are working, with 16 warnings and 18 citations since May — mostly middle-schoolers. State law changes (SB3484) are pending the Governor's signature and will prompt ordinance tweaks, but the Village's stricter rules on helmets and lights stay.
Teen takeover events
Trustee Panicker raised concerns about violent 'teen takeover' gatherings involving Plainfield teens in area suburbs and asked the Board to consider a new ordinance at a future workshop.
Code Enforcement and Ordinance Violations
Commissioners raised concerns about overcrowded parking at local automotive businesses along Route 59, noting potential safety and aesthetic hazards.
License Plate Reader Cameras IGA
A resident raised civil liberties concerns regarding the installation of automated license plate reader cameras on Will County roadways, warning against incremental expansions of surveillance.
Kratom and Synthetic Drug Sales Ban
The board considered an ordinance to ban the sale of kratom products and synthetic drugs. Industry representatives spoke during public comment, urging the board to distinguish between natural leaf kratom and concentrated synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products. Consequently, the board tabled the item for two weeks to study the matter further.
Downtown Safety Enhancements and Barrier Purchase
The police department secured approval to purchase a trailer kit containing 66 mobile vehicle barrier trailers using asset forfeiture funds. This equipment will protect downtown community events from vehicle ramming incidents.
Village Hall Elevator Modernization
The Village Hall elevator requires a $34,000 door opener upgrade because the existing parts are no longer supported by the vendor, preventing extended public downtime.
Police Fleet Replacement & Digital Citation Software
The police department is purchasing two new Ford Interceptor SUVs to replace totaled vehicles and upgrading to Dacra Tech software for digital parking citations and online payments.