Steve Jones Believes Mayor Had Different Ideas, Motivations

JOLIET, IL — In late July, Joliet Patch's editor reached out to interim Joliet city manager Steve Jones for a question and answer written style interview for Jones to reflect on the ups and downs of working for the state's third largest city since 2015.

Friday, Aug. 7 marked Jones' last day on the job with Joliet. A La Grange Park resident who commutes to Joliet for work, Jones served as Joliet's economic development director for four years until June 2019 when the Joliet City Council, in a split vote, hired Jones as interim city manager, a position he held for nearly 14 months.

The following are Jones' unedited written responses to Joliet Patch's questions about his time in Joliet.

Question 1: Reflect on your time working for Joliet. Overall, how was your experience with the city?

Jones: The City of Joliet is an incredibly dynamic, complex and fast-moving community. It offered me an opportunity to contribute to Joliet’s future and add value to the overall organization. Having been associated with the third largest city in Illinois has been humbling and professionally satisfying. It must be stressed that members of our management team and staff deserve a tremendous amount of credit in continuing to move things forward. Whether we have been in good times or challenging times, they deserve to be recognized. Our overall successes have been a result of team collaboration to make Joliet a better place. I am grateful for their support, particularly while serving in the role of Interim City Manager over the past year.

Question 2: What projects are you most proud to have seen accomplished during your time with Joliet?

Jones: Local government is a team sport, and there were many individuals who collaborated on the projects and initiatives that occurred since I have been in Joliet. While this list is not all inclusive, it represents several high impact initiatives that have made a difference:

Downtown Redevelopment

While COVID-19 has slowed things down in 2020, the downtown continues on an upward trajectory. The JJC City Center Campus, Gateway Transportation Center, renovated Catholic Charities Building, renovated Barber Building, MyGrain Brewing, Elder Brewing, First Midwest Bank and the soon-to-be-completed Will County Courthouse have demonstrated significant investment in downtown Joliet.

Old Joliet Prison

The incredible volunteer effort to restore the prison, combined with the resulting tourism interest, have made this a true cultural asset.

Vehicle Replacement Program

After reversing many years of neglect, the City took a proactive approach to replacing the aging fleet of vehicles and equipment to ensure that services can be safely and reliably delivered when required. Significant investments are being made with more to occur in 2021, and we implemented a funding source to keep the initiative moving forward.

Technology

Significant upgrades have increased the reliability, efficiency and public utilization of information technology.

Joliet’s Image
Over the past five years we made great strides in projecting a new image of Joliet that reflected its
strengths, character and future growth potential. There has been much “buzz” about Joliet and it is a direct result of our efforts to tell our story on a regional, state and national level. While recent political problems and unstable leadership have tarnished these efforts, it remains something to continue once the City gets its house in order.

Question 3: Was there a particular development project that you would have liked to have accomplished during your time in Joliet that wasn't?

Jones: There are two projects involving downtown properties. It would have been gratifying to see the city-owned Crabigale’s Building (Cass & Chicago Streets) redeveloped. This was one of the first projects I started to work on after coming to Joliet, so to me it has some sentimental value. Despite having several serious prospects over the past five years, we are still working on this project. This is a great building located at the historic intersection of Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway that has a mixed use potential. I am happy to report that we are in serious discussions with a potential new party to get it done. The significance of this redevelopment is to further the number of multi-family units downtown, and to save a historical and architecturally unique structure.

(Patch Q&A continues below this photo.)

The other project that “got away” involves the historic Old Post Office Building (Clinton & Ottawa Streets). This building has an incredible interior and exterior and was being seriously pursued for a Cajun restaurant, distillery and prohibition-era museum. The developer had some health issues and the project dissolved. Something will eventually happen in this space because the building has too much potential to remain vacant.

Question 4: Reflect on your time as interim city manager. How difficult was it to serve in this role for the city on a day to day basis?

Jones: As a professional who has served in a number of suburban communities, my day-to-day approach can be described as a three step process: absorb chaos; bring calm; move things forward. Whether interacting with professional staff, elected officials or citizens, this leadership style provides an approach to get things done.

When I accepted the role of Interim City Manager the Council’s expectation was to restore professionalism in Joliet City government. During the past year It has been my mantra that the management team’s role is to do the right thing, not the politically popular thing. I feel the management team has collectively been able to accomplish this with my backing and support. While I feel I was successful in providing leadership, stability and mentoring to the professional staff, I was less successful on the elected official side of the ledger.

As Interim City Manager serving a community with a deeply divided Council, tremendous focus was spent on maintaining basic civility and stability in our operations. Despite working in an environment consisting of unfortunate public battles, questionable ethical forays, political divide, and lack of positive leadership, I feel the professional staff has done an admirable job in carrying on during this uncertain time. I am hopeful that my successor will continue to lead the staff through these challenges.

Question 5: It's no secret that you and Mayor Bob O' Dekirk did not always see eye to eye on things. How difficult was it to work with someone like O'Dekirk?

Jones: As Economic Development Director for four years it was very easy since I reported directly to the City Manager. The role of marketing the City and bringing investment to the community is a goal that was shared by the Mayor and entire City Council. Thus, we all shared in the success of business growth, job creation and general optimism regarding the future of Joliet.

As Interim City Manager for one year it was very difficult. When asked by the City Council to take on the role of Interim City Manager, there was an expectation to move away from the past political orientation and move Joliet in a professional direction as is intended under the Council-Manager form of government. I ensured that our decision-making was based upon professional, not political concerns. Under the Council-Manager form of government the Mayor’s role is quite limited, with the City Council being the focus of legislative affairs and supervision of the City Manager. I believe the Mayor had different ideas and motivations which were often displayed at Council meetings. Unfortunately, the environment that has been created effected Joliet’s ability to identify a successor Interim City Manager, and will undoubtedly limit the number of applicants who express an interest in the permanent City Manager position.

Question 6: There's been a lot of protests of late in regard to the death of Eric Lurry. Do you believe the Joliet Police Department officers involved in that case, as well as the upper administration, acted appropriately?

Jones: There is pending litigation regarding this matter so I will be brief in my response. The Major Crimes Task Force, Will County Coroner and Will County States Attorney have determined that there was no criminal wrongdoing on the part of the Joliet Police Department in the unfortunate death of Mr. Lurry. Thus, that particular aspect of the case has already been determined by outside agencies.

The next step is the internal affairs investigation which will examine whether there were any violations of internal procedures, protocols, professional judgment or other factors that would warrant consideration of discipline or added training. This process will answer the question of whether there were aspects of the arrest that should have been handled differently. To ensure that there is an objective look at the matter, both the Police Chief and I have been proposing an outside firm to conduct the internal affairs review. Thus, this investigation will result in the answer to your question.

Question 7: What development or redevelopment projects would you like to see accomplished by Joliet after you leave the city?

Joliet Library – Project Burnham Interior and design renovations to this historic Daniel Burnham structure will modernize the facility and foster the delivery of library services to an underserved population in Joliet.

Downtown Projects

Specifically, the completion of the Marriott Springhill Suites project, redevelopment of the AT&T Building located along the Des Plaines River, Rialto II mixed-use project, Illinois Rock & Roll Museum, Hotel Plaza redevelopment, east-side grocery store (El Guero) and Lyons Lumber mixed-use development.

NorthPoint

Job creation and new revenue opportunities will further solidify Joliet’s dominance in the logistics
sector. The related completion of the Houbolt Road Bridge will mitigate the transportation impacts of this development.

(Patch Q&A continues below this photo.)

Chicago Street Improvements & Van Buren Plaza

A major planning study was finalized in 2018 to identify streetscape, parking, and circulation improvements to Chicago Street, as well as the design and development of a downtown plaza at Van Buren Street. Implementation of this is critical to the revitalization of Downtown Joliet.

Women’s Prison

Conversion of this iconic structure into entertainment use has been a long-term goal. Thirteenth Floor Productions has been delayed by COVID but will be implanting their plans by 2021.

Rock Run Crossing

The mixed-use development located adjacent to I-55 will bring new development to Joliet as well as an interchange at IL Route 59/Seil Road.

Housing on the River

Someday I would like to see multi-story residential development along the Des Plaines River in Downtown Joliet.

Question 8: Anything else about your time in Joliet that you would like to address?

Jones: As someone who has worked in municipal government for almost forty years, I have been a keen observer of the community culture and strengths that each town possesses. When I look back at the seven towns I have served as City Manager, I can honestly say that Joliet is far superior when one considers the community assets and overall potential. The long and storied history, geographic location, historic downtown, unique neighborhoods, educational institutions, status as Will County seat, sports venues, tourist attractions, growing employment center, and commercial strength already make Joliet a regional power. The question is will Joliet rise to its true potential?

Despite the great assets, I have observed that Joliet tends to be more inwardly cynical and critical of itself than any other community I have served. A great community needs to support itself through volunteerism, civic responsibility, serving on boards/commissions, running for office, engagement, and making positive contributions to the overall community. Positive community leadership is key to Joliet reaching its potential. This is something only Joliet can decide and achieve. I sincerely hope that the community will reach its true potential.