===== PDF PAGE 1 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Thursday, September 4, 2025 West Chicago City Hall – 475 Main Street 7:00 p.m. AGENDA 1. Call to Order, Roll Call, Establishment of a Quorum 2. Public Participation 3. Approval of Cultural Arts Commission Meeting Minutes: August 7, 2025 4. Items for Discussion and Possible Action a. Code Amendment for the Cultural Arts Commission b. Commission 2026 Initiatives & Budget Request 5. Other Business a. 2025 Art Banner Exhibit Status b. 2026 Art Banner Juror Discussion (Red White Blue Theme) c. 2025 Hokusai Updates d. 2025 Loteria Updates e. Murals/Long-term Projects f. Public Art Master Plan Status 6. Adjournment CC: Mayor Daniel Bovey, City Council, Tia Messino, West Chicago Cultural Arts Commissioners, Media, Kelley Chrisse 475 Main Street T 630.293.2200 Daniel Bovey MAYOR West Chicago, F 630.293.3028 Illinois westchicago.org TiaINTERIMMessinoCITY 60185 ADMINISTRATOR ===== PDF PAGE 2 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET DRAFT CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, August 7, 2025 West Chicago City Hall – 475 Main Street 7:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order, Roll Call, Establishment of a Quorum Chairman Kuharich called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Roll call indicated that Chairman Kuharich and Commissioners Garcia, Renwick, Treudt, and Walsh were present. Also in attendance were Alderwoman Alcantar-Garcia, Commission Liaison, and Business & Community Relations Director Kelley Chrisse. 2. Public Participation None. 3. Approval of Minutes a. Cultural Arts Commission Meeting: July 10, 2025: Commissioner Walsh made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Treudt, to approve the July 10, 2025 meeting minutes. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 4. Items for Discussion and Possible Action a. Commission Role & Responsibilities: Chairman Kuharich explained the documents provided in the packet include the City’s current ordinance, which identifies functions that she has never performed as a commissioner, as well as ordinances from similar types of commissions from other communities. The Commissioners reviewed the City’s current ordinance first and identified potential revisions. The other ordinances were reviewed and discussed different aspects that might be incorporated into the City’s language. Ms. Chrisse will take the comments provided and prepare a draft revised ordinance for the Commission’s consideration at the next meeting. 5. Other Business a. 2025 Art Banner Exhibit Status. As of August 5, there were 57 votes cast. Need to push out the need for the community votes on social media by the end of August. Take advantage of the attendance at Food Fest to create more interest and voting opportunities. Ms. Chrisse will coordinate the presentation of the People’s Choice Award at the October 20 City Council meeting. Discussion ensued to coordinate the display of the People’s Choice Award winner at Gallery 200 after the first of the year. b. 2026 Art Banner Juror Discussion (Red White Blue Theme). Commissioner Renwick contacted Nicholas (Nick) Caltagirone and he has accepted. 475 Main Street T 630.293.2200 Daniel Bovey MAYOR West Chicago, F 630.293.3028 Illinois westchicago.org TiaINTERIMMessinoCITY 60185 ADMINISTRATOR ===== PDF PAGE 3 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] c. 2025 Hokusai Updates. There is a community art project being installed at the West Chicago Library where the Community Haiku of 2020 has been printed as leaves to be displayed on a cherry blossom tree. The community is invited to write their own and add to the installation. Ms. Chrisse will push out two more social media posts about the Hokusai mural to meet the agreed upon three PR mentions. One of the posts will be for City Hall Selfie Day where City Staff will pose for a photo in front of the mural. d. 2025 Loteria Updates. Commissioner Garcia is 90% done with set-up for printing. Chair Kuharich has contacted prior businesses that participated and now has 14 sites for posting artwork. She has also reached out to Despertar Latino to coordinate this activity with the Mexican Independence Day event but hasn’t heard back yet. e. Murals/Long-term Projects. Chair Kuharich mentioned that graffiti removal in the City is done by painting but, according to City code, brick is not allowed to be painted at all. There was a question about how painting brick to cover graffiti is allowed but painting a mural on brick is not. f. Public Art Master Plan Status. In process. No update. 6. Adjournment Commissioner Treudt made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Commissioner Renwick. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. 475 Main Street T 630.293.2200 Daniel Bovey MAYOR West Chicago, F 630.293.3028 Illinois westchicago.org TiaINTERIMMessinoCITY 60185 ADMINISTRATOR ===== PDF PAGE 4 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] CITY OF WEST CHICAGO CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM TITLE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 4.a. Code Amendment for the COMMISSION AGENDA DATE: September 4, 2025 Cultural Arts Commission STAFF REVIEW: Kelley Chrisse, AICP, SIGNATURE __________________________ CEcD ITEM SUMMARY: The Cultural Arts Commission was created in 1992 to advise the Mayor and City Council on matters related to the arts. While the Commission’s work has grown and evolved over the past three dec- ades, including sponsoring public art, exhibits, performances, and community programs, the original ordinance establishing the Commission has not been substantially updated since its adoption. At the August meeting, the Commission reviewed the existing ordinance along with comparable commissions in other communities noting opportunities to: • Modernize the purpose to reflect today’s vision for arts and culture in West Chicago. • Remove outdated provisions that no longer match the Commission’s role. • Consolidate and streamline functions to focus on areas where the Commission can have the greatest impact. As a result, staff prepared a proposed amendment to the authorizing ordinance, which is presented for consideration. Additionally, the proposed revision aligns the role of the Cultural Arts Commission with the goals outlined in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which highlights arts, culture, heritage, and placemaking as integral to West Chicago’s identity and vitality. ACTIONS PROPOSED: Recommend amendment to Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 13 of the Municipal Code, Cultural Arts Commission, as presented. Attachments: Redlined Draft Amendment to Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 13 of the Municipal Code Clean Draft Amendment to Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 13 of the Municipal Code ===== PDF PAGE 5 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] DIVISION 13. – CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Sec. 2-435. - Establishment. There is hereby created a commission, to be known as the cultural arts commission. Sec. 2-436. - Membership and appointment. The commission shall consist of ten (10) members, all of whom shall be appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the city council. (1) All members shall be residents of or demonstrate a significant connection to the City of West Chicago and shall possess an interest and/or expertise in the cultural arts.Nine (9) of the said ten (10) members shall have an interest and expertise in the functions of the commission and shall be voting members of the commission. (2) All members shall serve as voting members.One (1) of the members of the said commission shall be nonvoting ex-officio member. Sec. 2-437. - Terms. (a) Appointment to the commission shall be for a term of four (4) years. Terms shall be Formatted: Normal, No bullets or numbering staggered to ensure continuity of membership. Sec. 2-438. - Meetings; by-laws. (1) The commission shall have the power to adopt its own by-laws and schedule of regular Commented [KC1]: Change from (a) to (1) for meetings. consistency throughout Code (2) Special meetings of the commission may be called by the chairman or any three (3) members provided that notice is given as provided in the Illinois "Open Meetings Act." Sec. 2-439. -– Purpose and Functions of the commission. The City of West Chicago recognizes the arts as essential to cultural vitality, community identity, and the beautification of civic space. The Cultural Arts Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council and works to enrich the lives of all West Chicago residents through the support of cultural arts. The Commission shall have the following functionsThe cultural arts commission shall: (1) Make recommendations to the city council for the provision of an environment in which the cultural arts will flourish within the corporate limits of the city; (2) Foster educational opportunities and enhance the quality of life for all of the residents of West Chicago by making recommendations to develop arts and cultural programs directed at various age, ethnic, and religious groups; (3) Enhance the economic base in West Chicago by promoting opportunities to combine areas and economic development; (4) Cooperate with the professional city staff to administer all commission programs and activities; (5) Support and foster strong bonds between and among all arts organizations in the community and encourage new arts organizations in a manner which will make the whole ===== PDF PAGE 6 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] considerably stronger than the individual parts, which shall include working cooperatively with other city commissions, and other public and private agencies; (6) Apply for grants to support commission programs and administer and serve as a vehicle for "regrants" under the rules of the Illinois Arts Council and other agencies; (7) Provide a vehicle for publicizing all arts-related events of various organizations as well as community, state or national events related to the arts, and provide a strong public relations program for communicating the commission's goals and their impact on community life; and (1) Act as a resource center and clearing house for information and provide technical assistance to community arts organizations to enable them to improve the effectiveness of grant writing, planning, audience development, identification of sources for funds, and assistance in connection with legal, tax, insurance and liability issues related to arts programs and arts organizations.Advise the Mayor and City Council on cultural and artistic matters, including policies, projects, and programs. (2) Promote and sponsor cultural arts initiatives such as public art installations, performances, exhibits, workshops, and special events that enhance community life. (3) Foster collaboration among artists, cultural organizations, community partners, and City boards and commissions to strengthen West Chicago’s cultural landscape. (4) Encourage education and public awareness of the arts through outreach, engagement, and diverse programming accessible to all residents. (5) Support economic development efforts by contributing to placemaking, tourism, and community identity initiatives where arts and culture play a complementary role. (6) Identify, select, and recommend placement of public art in City-owned spaces and encourage the growth of the City’s public art collection. (8)(7) Develop and pursue funding opportunities including grants, sponsorships, and partnerships to sustain and expand cultural programming. Sec. 2-440. - Report to city council. The cultural arts commission shall submit a written annual report to the city council at the first council meeting in February August of each year. The report shall contain an outline of activities and work accomplished during the previous yearcover activities and accomplishments from the previous July 1 through June 30 and shall include recommendations for any proposed improvements, or programs, or initiatives which the council should consider for the next coming year. Secs. 2-441—2-470. - Reserved. ===== PDF PAGE 7 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] DIVISION 13. – CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Sec. 2-435. - Establishment. There is hereby created a commission, to be known as the cultural arts commission. Sec. 2-436. - Membership and appointment. The commission shall consist of ten (10) members, all of whom shall be appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the city council. (1) All members shall be residents of or demonstrate a significant connection to the City of West Chicago and shall possess an interest and/or expertise in the cultural arts. (2) All members shall serve as voting members. Sec. 2-437. - Terms. Appointment to the commission shall be for a term of four (4) years. Terms shall be staggered to ensure continuity of membership. Sec. 2-438. - Meetings; by-laws. (1) The commission shall have the power to adopt its own by-laws and schedule of regular meetings. (2) Special meetings of the commission may be called by the chairman or any three (3) members provided that notice is given as provided in the Illinois "Open Meetings Act." Sec. 2-439. – Purpose and Functions. The City of West Chicago recognizes the arts as essential to cultural vitality, community identity, and the beautification of civic space. The Cultural Arts Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council and works to enrich the lives of all West Chicago residents through the support of cultural arts. The Commission shall have the following functions: (1) Advise the Mayor and City Council on cultural and artistic matters, including policies, projects, and programs. (2) Promote and sponsor cultural arts initiatives such as public art installations, performances, exhibits, workshops, and special events that enhance community life. (3) Foster collaboration among artists, cultural organizations, community partners, and City boards and commissions to strengthen West Chicago’s cultural landscape. (4) Encourage education and public awareness of the arts through outreach, engagement, and diverse programming accessible to all residents. (5) Support economic development efforts by contributing to placemaking, tourism, and community identity initiatives where arts and culture play a complementary role. (6) Identify, select, and recommend placement of public art in City-owned spaces and encourage the growth of the City’s public art collection. (7) Develop and pursue funding opportunities including grants, sponsorships, and partnerships to sustain and expand cultural programming. ===== PDF PAGE 8 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Sec. 2-440. - Report to city council. The cultural arts commission shall submit a written annual report to the city council at the first council meeting in August of each year. The report shall cover activities and accomplishments from the previous July 1 through June 30 and include recommendations for proposed improvements, programs, or initiatives for the coming year. Secs. 2-441—2-470. - Reserved. ===== PDF PAGE 9 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] CITY OF WEST CHICAGO CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM TITLE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 4.b. Commission 2026 Initiatives & COMMISSION AGENDA DATE: September 4, 2025Budget Request STAFF REVIEW: Kelley Chrisse, AICP, SIGNATURE __________________________ CEcD ITEM SUMMARY: As part of the annual work planning process, staff has prepared a set of proposed initiatives for the Cultural Arts Commission to undertake in 2026. These initiatives reflect ongoing Commission pro- grams, recommendations from the Economic Development Work Plan (EDWP), and new opportuni- ties for supporting and expanding West Chicago’s cultural landscape. All initiatives have been reviewed against the Commission’s proposed ordinance update to ensure alignment with the purpose and functions of the Commission. Proposed 2026 Initiatives: 1. Assign Commissioner Liaisons to serve as a point of contact with one or more community partners, such as schools, People Made Visible, Mexican Cultural Center, regional arts non- profits, and regional cultural organizations. Commissioners will attend partner meetings or events periodically, share information on City and Commission arts initiatives, and report back opportunities, needs, and ideas for collaboration. 2. Develop and maintain a resource list of artists (muralists, painters, sculptors, musicians, danc- ers, etc.) available for projects, events, and public art opportunities. a) Commission a local or regional artist to transform the fountain basin into a vibrant cul- tural landmark to be unveiled for Blooming Fest. b) Support the recruitment of artists for the WeGo Full Steam Ahead Public Art installation by identifying artists for participation. 3. Create an inventory of City-owned properties suitable for future art installations and/or murals. 4. Support the development of a walking tour of history, culture, and art in coordination with the City Museum, West Chicago Historical Society, and Gallery 200, as applicable. 5. Select one special event in 2026 to support through coordination of live art, music, and/or artisan vendors. 6. Explore ways to add music, dance, and other performances downtown outside of signature events. 7. Coordinate the 2026 Art Banner Exhibit. 8. Provide continued support for the Gallery 200 Artist-In-Residence Program. 9. Continue the commission’s sponsorship of the Arteculture exhibit at Gallery 200. 10. Conduct a Public Art Inventory and provide maintenance for at least one piece of public art. As proposed and due to low participation, staff would recommend discussion on discontinuing the Loteria activity in favor of initiatives with broader engagement. ===== PDF PAGE 10 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] The Commission is asked to review and discuss these proposed initiatives for 2026. Feedback on priorities, scope, and any additional opportunities will guide staff in preparing the final work plan and associated budget request for the year ahead. ACTIONS PROPOSED: Review and discuss proposed initiatives and request associated budget for 2026. Attachments: Draft 2026 Budget Request ===== PDF PAGE 11 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Cultural Arts Commission 2026 Budget Request 2026 Art Banner Exhibit - $2,500 Funds will be used for the production of 26 street pole banners (30”x60”) at a total cost of $2,340 ($90 per print). Additional funds are included for potential reprints as needed. Summer Art Series: WeGo Full Steam Ahead 2026 - $5,000 Funds will support the City’s sponsorship of the WeGo Full Steam Ahead public art installation that will be displayed within downtown West Chicago. This installation is a collaborative effort proposed by the West Chicago Parks Foundation, West Chicago Public Library District, People Made Visible, and West Chicago Museum. Public Art Signage & Maintenance - $500 Funds will be allocated for materials to apply a sacrificial coat to the mural "Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World" to protect it from graffiti, as well as to produce new signs for City-commissioned public art. Gallery 200: Artist-In-Residence Program Contribution - $500 These funds will support a partnership with People Made Visible for the artist-in-residence program at Gallery 200. Arteculture Sponsorship - $200 This allocation will go toward the City’s sponsorship of the annual Arteculture event held at Gallery 200 (200 Main Street) in May, primarily for purchasing refreshments for a reception hosted by the Cultural Arts Commission. 2026 Fountain Basin Painting - $350 Commission a local or regional artist to transform the fountain basin into a vibrant cultural landmark. This project is intended to be annual with the completion to coincide with Blooming Fest in the spring. Potential to Eliminate: 2026 Loteria - $950 This allocation covers the following expenses: printing 46 window decals (16”x22”) at a total of $736 ($16 per print), purchasing two $25 gift cards for artists to create four new pieces, $100 for participant giveaways, and $35 for mailing costs.