Man Raps Case To Elmhurst Aldermen

ELMHURST, IL – The Elmhurst City Council hears from residents at most meetings.

Some want to give a shoutout to charitable efforts in town. Others are frustrated with downtown parking or want to vent about a zoning controversy.

On Monday, the council had just one speaker signed up – Jim Hodapp, who lives on Stuart Court.

At a meeting in early July, he said he was ticketed for weeds, so he asked the city to declare his property a nature preserve. At the next meeting in July, he rapped about it for aldermen.

At Monday's session, Mayor Scott Levin went through the usual public comment procedures, but jokingly added one.

"Approach the microphone. State your name. Address is optional. Rapping is optional. You have three minutes," the mayor said.

Hodapp greeted the council and requested the city hire him on a one-year contract to serve as an ecological restoration consultant.

He said he would be a consultant who "foolishly believes that we can save Mother Earth one yard a time."

Then he began his rap.

"Save the wild bees by letting the dandelions grow and just saying no. No to herbicide. No to pesticide. And, yes, to a blessed new hour of wildflower power," Hodapp rapped. "Think about that. The hippies are back. My name's not Jack. It's Jim. I'm not that slim. I'm getting old, but my raps are still bold, and I live in E-town Elmhurst, Starburst.

"This is where people rule the universe. Gentlemen, please don't curse. Ladies hold onto your purse. And I don't care if the president does declare an end to war in E-town Elmhurst," he said. "You better still lock your car door. Yo, wildflower power. Wildflower power. Wildflower power."

He ended by saying that at least he made a couple of officials smile.

"Peace. Goodnight," Hodapp said.

A smiling Levin thanked him.

Nearly half of the council wasn't present for the performance. Absent were Jennifer Veremis, Marti Deuter, Jacob Hill, Noel Talluto, Michael Honquest and Emily Bastedo.

But they'll be able to see the rap on the council's meeting video.