Elmhurst Council Splits On Axing Beautification Money, Despite Tight Budget

ELMHURST, IL – In a town seeking to trim its budget, the Elmhurst City Council on Monday rejected cutting $74,000 in beautification money that an alderman labeled a "want."

The money has been listed in the budget for at least four straight years, but has gone unspent.

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The money is for beautifying the area south of the railroad tracks with landscaping.

Noting the city's budget problems, Ward 3 Alderman Michael Bram proposed cutting the money from the budget and including it in a few years.

But Ward 4 Alderwoman Noel Talluto, who represents the area in question, objected. At the request of residents, she said she and former Ward 1 Alderwoman Marti Deuter pushed for the project, meeting with a consultant at some point.

Over the years, she said the city didn't move forward with the work because of other local priorities.

"It's a Priority D," Talluto said.

She also noted that Bram himself had just lobbied during the meeting for beautification improvements to York Street and Grand Avenue, where he represents.

Bram said he favored striking the money because Talluto herself called it a Priority D.

"It hasn't been done for multiple years. If it's not a need, it's a want," Bram said. "It was mentioned that a conceptual discussion (with a consultant) was done. That was done on the side. That wasn't done with any approval through the council."

As for York and Grand, Bram said the project had been approved for many years and was, "in my perspective, shorted." He said the North York beautification project didn't go as far north as planned.

The council split 7-7 on Bram's proposal. Mayor Scott Levin broke the tie in favor of keeping the money in the budget.

Voting for the spending were Talluto, Guido Nardini, Emily Bastedo, Mike Brennan, Jennifer Veremis, Chris Jensen and Mike Baker.

On the other side were Bram, James Nudera, Dan Virgil, Rex Irby, Brian Belanger, Jacob Hill and Karen Sienko

Last year, the City Council approved $3.6 million in budget cuts. But a majority rejected Alderman Hill's proposal for $164,000 in additional reductions. Still, both sides agreed that more cuts were needed to address a long-term budget deficit.

Headed by Talluto, the council's finance committee planned to begin a hunt for more cuts in early 2026. The panel is expected to present recommendations by year's end.