Mike Turk Attends Final Meeting After 34 Years On Joliet Council

JOLIET, IL — Monday marked the final time that Mike Turk was introduced as a member of the Joliet City Council. Turk had 34 years representing the citizens of Joliet, but he chose not to seek a ninth term of office in the April 6 elections.

At Monday's meeting, the Council read a proclamation thanking Turk for serving on the Joliet City Council since winning office for the first time in 1987. He had previously served on the Joliet Park Board.

When he addressed the audience, Turk informed everyone that he was not the longest tenured Joliet Councilman in the city's history.

"My good friend Joe Shetina served 36 consecutive years and Councilman Bob Hacker has also served 34 years," Turk remarked. "I did not know either of these gentlemen until I was elected in 1987. However, to this day, I consider both of them close friends. I talk to them several times a week. I have developed close friendships with many of the council members and mayors I have served with ... some decisions are easy and some decisions are extremely difficult. I have always attempted to solicit as much feedback from people within the community, and the city's professional staff, to make an informed decision that will be in the best interest of the whole city."

At that point, Turk decided to highlight some of the major accomplishments that happened to Joliet during his 34 years on the Council.

"Not that I am taking personal credit for, but I was a part of a team of mayors and council members who I have served with to provide positive change as to the city of Joliet. One is the inception of riverboat gaming. It was a game-changer for the city of Joliet. Senator Tom Dunn of Joliet was heavily involved in the passage of gaming bill legislation and Governor Jim Thompson signed the bill on the banks of the Des Plaines River at the Bicentennial Park.

"Many residents were concerned that this would bring organized crime and prostitution to Joliet, comparing it to (Las) Vegas and many were against gaming ... Joliet was fortunate to receive two gaming licenses within its corporate limits. At its peak, we were receiving in excess of $3 million a month that allowed many projects and programs to happen namely elimination of our debt by paying off our general obligation bonds ... neighborhood improvements were accelerated, sidewalks were installed in areas that had none, increased lighting, infrastructure projects that went along way to alleviate flooding basements in normal and heavy rainfall."

Turk was also proud Joliet shared its revenues with the local school districts as well as the Rialto Square Theatre. Joliet reduced water rates and eliminated the costly vehicle sticker, he said.

"The baseball park, west side library and Rialto have benefited from gaming revenues," Turk said. "I believe the baseball park and library were paid for the day they opened. I believe that with the changes Major League Baseball has made, the stadium has a renewed potential to be very successful."