The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees June 18, 2026.
CALL TO ORDER
President Magnelli called the meeting to order at 7:31 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Magnuson, Ringelstein, Magnelli, Parent, Krebs, Ross.
Absent: Zaporowicz-Short.
Also Present: Wittmann, Bacarella, Furfori, Lewis, McPhillips, Bitters V., Sciaccotta, Stam.
RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
There were no visitors present.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no comments from the public.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD May 21, 2026 BE APPROVED AS AMENDED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Director Wittmann reported that she was notified by Cook County that the next tax bills would be two months late, which would push back collections by about the same time. In light of this news, she advised that she is relieved that the Board decided to use Special Reserve funds and debt certificates to pay for the remodeling, as we would be relying on cash balances until we start to receive our next tax installment.
She reported that our finances are looking good and are about where they should be at this point in the fiscal year. The Direct Energy bill was coded incorrectly and it will be reclassified next month.
APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS
Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, THAT REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 32538 THROUGH 32600 TOTALING $191,982.18 FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $24,193.20 FOR THE MONTH OF MAY; PETTY CASH CHECK 5044 TOTALING $350.00 FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE; MAY NET WAGES TOTALING 161,909.31; MAY PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,225.62 AND MAY IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $38,936.84. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT Zaporowicz-Short. The motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Island Withing A City—
The IWAC committee met tonight.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Per Capita Grant FY2026—
Director Wittmann reported that we were awarded the 2026 Illinois Public Library Per
Capita Grant in the amount of $41,412.00.
Island Within a City Book Title—
The Trustees narrowed it down to their top three titles. They will vote on it next month.
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance 2026—1, “Annual Ordinance Authorizing Public Library Non-Resident Cards”—
The Board agreed to continue to participate in non-resident card service and set the rate for non-resident cards at 0.559522 per hundred dollars of assessed valuation as calculated by the tax bill method. 75 ILCS 16/30-55.60. Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2026-1 “ANNUAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PUBLIC LIBRARY NON-RESIDENT CARDS”. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT Zaporowicz-Short. The motion carried.
Vote to Increase the Remodeling Budget from 2.5 Million to 2.75 Million—
Director Wittmann reported that the increase would allow for the second-floor restroom remodel. Trustee Parent stated that he struggled with including the second-floor restroom renovation, as he did not believe it made financial sense. Trustees Magnelli and Krebs indicated that they were comfortable with the proposed increase. Trustee Magnelli also acknowledged Trustee Parent’s concerns regarding the financial justification for the restroom remodel. Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO INCRASE THE REMODELING BUDGET FROM 2.5 MILLION TO 2.75 MILLION. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Krebs. NAYS Parent. ABSENT Zaporowicz-Short. The motion carried.
Hayes Mechanical Boiler and Pumps Service Proposal—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to vote to approve the proposal from Hayes Mechanical for service to our boiler and associated pumps. She reported that Tony Sciaccotta has been very happy with their service over the last year, and would like to continue with them. There is no increase in the proposal from Hayes over last year. Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM HAYES MECHANICAL FOR THE SERVICE OF THE BOILER AND PUMPS. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT Zaporowicz-Short. The motion carried.
Hayes Mechanical Chiller and Pumps Service Proposal—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to vote to approve the proposal from Hayes Mechanical for service to our chiller and associated pumps. She reported that Tony Sciaccotta has been very happy with their service over the last year, and would like to continue with them. There is no increase in the proposal from Hayes over last year. Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM HAYES MECHANICAL FOR THE SERVICE OF THE CHILLER AND PUMPS. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT Zaporowicz-Short. The motion carried.
Security Grant FY2026—
Director Wittmann reported that we were awarded the 2026 Security Grant in the amount of $46,454.00. This will be used to install panic buttons and security camera migration.
22VETS Technologies Security Camera Migration Proposal—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to vote to approve the proposal from 22Vets to migrate our security camera monitoring to the Verkada platform. Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM 22VETS TECHNOLOGIES SECURITY CAMERA PROPOSAL. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT Zaporowicz-Short. The motion carried.
22VETS Technologies Installation of Panic Buttons Proposal—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to vote to approve the proposal from 22Vets to install a panic button system. She advised that the system proposed will include both wired and wireless buttons. The wired buttons can be installed behind stationary service desks in Library Services, Kids World, and Answers. The wireless buttons can be mounted or worn on lanyards by designated staff. Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM 22VETS TECHNOLOGIES PANIC BUTTONS PROPOSAL. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT Zaporowicz-Short. The motion carried.
Revised Study Room Policy—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to approve a revision to the Study Room Policy. Trustee Krebs, seconded by Trustee Ringelstein, TO APPROVE THE REVISED STUDY ROOM POLICY. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT Zaporowicz-Short. The motion carried.
Appoint Trustees to Audit Secretary’s Records—
Pursuant to Illinois law, President Magnelli must appoint two Trustees to conduct an audit of the Secretary’s records. The purpose of the audit is to certify the accuracy and completeness of the Secretary’s records in accordance with 75 ILCS 16/30-65(a)(1),(c). This audit is required as soon as practicable following the close of the fiscal year. The Secretary may not participate in the audit. The President may appoint themselves as one of the two Trustees conducting the review. Completion of this audit is necessary for the preparation and submission of the Illinois Public Library Annual Report President Magnelli appointed himself and Trustee Magnuson to audit the Secretary’s records.
Appoint Budget Committee—
Director Wittmann suggested that the budget committee meeting be held on the same evening as the regular meeting with the opportunity for the whole Board to be present, as it was last year, noting that otherwise the budget committee’s report is repeated over again at the regular meeting. The Board agreed to appoint a Committee of the Whole for the Budget Committee and to hold the Budget Committee Meeting at 6:30 P.M. on July 16 followed by the regular Board meeting at 7:30 P.M.
Disposal of Library Surplus Property—
Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, TO APPROVE THE DISPOSAL OF LIBRARY SURPLUS PROPERTY. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Laser Cutter Purchase—Epilog—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to approve the purchase of an Epilog Laser Cutter, to be used by the public in the Workshop. If the Board votes to approve, the bulk of the expenditure will come from what is left of our FY2025 Per Capita Grant, with the remainder to come out of our Library Equipment budget line item. Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Ringelstein, TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A LASER CUTTER FROM EPILOG. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT Zaporowicz-Short. The motion carried.
Annual Raise-Lauren Picciuca—
Trustee Parent, seconded by Trustee Ross, THAT LAUREN PICCIUCA’S HOURLY RATE BE INCREASED FROM $18.54 TO $19.10, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Six-Month Raise—Monika Wierzba
Trustee Krebs, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT MONIKA WIERZBA’S HOURLY RATE BE INCREASED FROM $18.54 TO $18.91, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Personnel Changes—
There were no personnel changes.
Review Minutes of Closed Sessions—
The Board reviewed the minutes of the closed sessions held November 16 (2), and December 21, 2000; January 18 (1), and March 22, 2001; February 21, 2002 (2); February 19 (2) and (3), March 18 (2), (3) and (4), April 8, and June 17, 2004 (1); January 20 (2), May 19 (2), and October 20, 2005; October 21, 2010; February 17, and December 15, 2011; April 19, May 17, July 19, and December 20, 2012; September 19, 2013, October 17, 2013, November 6, 2013, November 21, 2013, December 5, 2013, December 19, 2013, February 20, 2014 (1), May 15, 2014 (1), June 19, 2014 (1), July 17, 2014 (1), Nov. 20, 2014, Dec. 18, 2014 (1), January 15, 2015 (1), May 21, 2015, November 17, 2015, January 21, 2016, May 19, 2016, July 21, 2016, October 20, 2016, December 15, 2016 (1), December 15, 2016 (2), March 16, 2017, November 20, 2020, July 18, 2024 (1) July 18, 2024 (2), September, 19, 2024, November 21, 2024, December 19, 2024, June 26, 2025. It was determined that the need for confidentiality still exists for these closed sessions pertaining to the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal and pending litigation of a specific employee. 5ILCS 120.2 (C) (1).
The Board also reviewed the minutes of the closed session held April 21, 2016, November 15, 2018, June 20, 2019, July 15, 2021, August 19, 2021, August 26, 2021, September 9, 2021, September 16, 2021, October 16, 2025, November 20, 2025, December 10, 2025, December 11, 2025, December 18, 2025 (1), December 18, 2025 (2). It was determined that the need for confidentiality still exists for these closed sessions pertaining to the selection of a person to fill public office. 5ILCS 120.2 (C) (3)
The Board also reviewed the minutes of the closed sessions held April 20, July 20, August 17 and November 16, 2006; May 10, 2007; February 19, March 19, 2009 and January 20, and August 25, 2011; and January 19, and December 20, 2012; January 17, 2013; August 8, 2013, March 29, 2015, April 16, 2015, May 21, 2015. It was determined that the need for confidentiality still exists for these closed sessions pertaining to the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the Library. 5ILCS 120.2 (C) (6)
The Board also reviewed the minutes of closed sessions held February 20, 2014, April 17, 2014, May 15, 2014, June 19, 2014, July 17, 2014, August 14, 2014, September 18, 2014, October 16, 2014, November 20, 2014, Dec. 18, 2014, January 15, 2015, February 19, 2015, February 19, 2026. It was determined that the need for confidentiality still exists for these closed sessions pertaining to the probable or imminent litigation on behalf of the Library District. 5ILCS 120.2 (C) (11).
The Board also reviewed the minutes of closed session held May 17, 2018, August 16, 2018, and October 18, 2018, July 18, 2019, October 17, 2019, February 20, 2025, November 20, 2025. It was determined that the need for confidentiality still exists for these closed sessions pertaining to the security procedures and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employee, students, staff, the public or public property 5ILCS 120.2 (C) (8).
Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, TO KEEP THE CLOSED SESSIONS CLOSED AND TO OPEN THE CLOSED SESSION 5ILCS 120.2 (C) (1) DECEMBER 18, 2025, DIRECTOR WITTMANN’S ANNUAL REVIEW. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT Zaporowicz-Short. The motion carried.
Any Other Business—
There was no other business.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Wittmann reported that Tony Sciaccotta was able to get a hold of Earth Elements to install the sod and mulch for the west side of the parking lot. They will be out in two weeks.
She reported that the police and schools conducted table top exercises for traumas at the library. She would like to have this type of training with staff. She thinks the table top exercises would be better for staff.
She reported that the staff in-service will take place next Friday. There will be a speaker in the morning, Narcan training, and emergency procedure training.
She reported that Tony Sciaccotta’s office is finished.
She reported that the library will participate in the community-wide 250th anniversary parade on August 22. The library will march in the parade and feature a book cart drill team.
She also reported that the IT transition was going smoothly.
She advised the Board that she attended the Swan quarterly meeting and they discussed approving a resolution to begin an official search process to obtain proposals for an integrated library system and analytics platform.
COMMUNICATIONS
A FOIA request was made by SmartProcure on requesting any and all purchasing records from 1/31/2026 to current.
Three FOIA requests were received on May 24, 2026 from Gerald R. requesting records related to the disposal, recycling, destruction, refurbishment, transfer, donation, storage, auction, or redistribution of technology equipment owned, leased, operated, or managed by the library district or system, including but not limited to desktop computers, laptops, tablets, public-access computers, servers, networking equipment, storage devices, printers, monitors, audiovisual equipment, and other electronic assets. They also requested records concerning any vendors, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, or third parties involved in the handling, disposal, refurbishment, recycling, destruction, transportation, warehousing, donation, or management of such technology equipment. In addition, they requested records relating to the organizational structure, administrative oversight, and personnel responsible for technology operations, asset management, surplus equipment management, and electronic waste oversight within the library district or system.
A FOIA request was received on June 17, 2026 from Catarina Mascarenhas a news reporter with Judiciocracy requesting documentation related to the library’s compliance with 5 ILCS 140/4(b), including copies of materials posted both physically and digitally. They requested records identifying the library’s email service provider or internal email systems, along with documentation describing how unsolicited emails are managed, including junk mail and spam filtering settings, retention periods, safe and blocked sender lists, and any related reporting mechanisms. In addition, they requested documentation identifying at least one official email address used by the public entity, or, if no official address exists, any email addresses used for official business.
Email from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle informing the library that the second-installment property tax bill are expected to be delayed by approximately two months this year.
Letter from Secretary of State and State Librarian, Alexi Giannoulias, awarding the Eisenhower Public Library District a Fiscal Year 2026 Per Capita Grant for $41,412.00.
Letter from Secretary of State and State Librarian, Alexi Giannoulias, awarding the Eisenhower Public Library District a Fiscal Year 2026 Security Grant for $46,454.00.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Father’s Day.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 P.M.
