[0:00] We'd like to welcome everyone to the, uh, town

[0:02] of Cicero inauguration ceremony today,

[0:04] May 13th, 2025 at the Cicero Town Hall.

[0:08] First, like to call a clerk, Maria pun ez,

[0:12] to have opening remarks.

[0:15] Thank you on behalf of Tom, president, Larry,

[0:18] Dominic, and the town board.

[0:19] We want to thank everyone that's here today.

[0:21] We want to thank our students from unity of junior high,

[0:26] family members, loved ones,

[0:29] and especially congratulate all the elected

[0:31] officials on the special day.

[0:34] And, um, as always, I'd like to acknowledge our legal team

[0:37] for doing a tremendous job all the time.

[0:40] Thank you for joining us today.

[0:42] Uh, it's a, a great day to celebrate President Larry Dominic

[0:46] and, uh, my colleagues on the board here

[0:48] for another successful election.

[0:51] Um, back in 2005, uh, when,

[0:54] when Larry won his first election, we were all filled

[0:58] with a lot of anticipation and, uh, great pride

[1:01] and hope that there was gonna be some great changes

[1:03] to the town of Cicero.

[1:05] And when Larry came in office, he faced a lot of issues,

[1:08] a lot of problems back then.

[1:10] Uh, there was a rodent problem, a graffiti problem,

[1:14] a crime rate was up.

[1:15] There was just a lot of things that he had to deal with.

[1:18] And, uh, when President Dominic came in,

[1:20] he assembled a great team, uh, leaders and department heads

[1:24] and people to work with him and turn the town around,

[1:27] and he certainly did not disappoint.

[1:29] So over the last 20 years,

[1:31] he's accomplished a gr a great many things,

[1:34] and, uh, today we celebrate the fact

[1:37] that he's gonna be doing his six feet repeat

[1:42] on, on another great election.

[1:44] And, uh, we wish him

[1:45] and the rest of the board members here, uh,

[1:48] great success on another successful term. Thank you.

[1:51] We'd like to ask everybody to raise

[1:53] and join the Union Junior High, uh, choir

[1:57] and pledge allegiance.

[1:59] I, senior of National Anthem,

[2:05] I pledge allegiance to the flag

[2:07] of the United States of America

[2:10] And to, for which span nation

[2:30] And you,

[3:53] We'd like you to remain standing while Ishmael Vargas, uh,

[3:56] town chaplain leads us in an invocation.

[4:00] Before we, uh, pray, do the invocation,

[4:03] lemme just remind ourselves that as we celebrate

[4:07] and we thank God for this opportunity for another year,

[4:11] that God has blessed the town officials, the word

[4:16] of God says in the book of James chapter one, verse 12,

[4:20] blessed is the one who perseveres on their trials

[4:23] because having stood the test,

[4:26] that person will receive the crown of life

[4:30] that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

[4:35] And we definitely as a community, we love God,

[4:38] and we want to go ahead and recognize his

[4:41] blessings upon this community.

[4:42] Let's bow our heads. Father Almighty God, we want

[4:47] to thank you this morning and it is with joy, it is with,

[4:52] uh, with vision

[4:54] and understanding that through you Father, there will be

[4:59] another four years of, of the community receiving Father

[5:03] more and more blessings that you'll use the man

[5:07] and woman Father, our Tom President trustees,

[5:12] to receive from you the wisdom Father,

[5:14] and the understanding of how to keep striving.

[5:17] Do not give up to stand firm

[5:20] and to know that you are father in the midst of everything,

[5:23] that you stand in the center of the community.

[5:26] We thank you for uniting us

[5:29] and today as we celebrate, as we recognize, father,

[5:34] that you are the one Father who put people in places,

[5:38] father, to be the ones who will take charge

[5:42] of making a difference

[5:46] in this time.

[5:48] Father, the community that you will give 'em the tools,

[5:51] the understanding, but also you will keep them safe.

[5:54] And for them to recognize

[5:55] and to know Father, that through you, through your strength,

[5:58] father, things can be done.

[6:01] We thank you for the past.

[6:03] We thank you, father for now the future that is before us,

[6:07] and the man and the woman, our top president

[6:09] and the board of trustees that will do their due diligence

[6:12] to make our community a better place every day.

[6:16] And your name, father will thank you in the name

[6:18] of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

[6:21] And we will say amen.

[6:29] We'd like you to turn your attention

[6:31] to the screen in the moment.

[6:32] We're going to have a video of overviews,

[6:34] president Dominic's achievement in his 20 years in office.

[6:38] Um, it's truly a transformation of the town of Cicero.

[6:41] If you think back to what things were like, uh, as, uh,

[6:46] Ari stated 20 years ago, there were, there were,

[6:48] there were many issues within the town.

[6:50] And, um, like a phoenix rising, um, the town

[6:53] of is in a much better place.

[6:55] Uh, look at the housing,

[6:57] look at the neighborhoods, look at the commerce.

[6:59] You look at the green space that's been added.

[7:01] Just want to touch on these, uh,

[7:04] water block opportunities and moments.

[7:16] 20 years ago, a vision took root in the heart of Cicero,

[7:20] a vision of safety, unity, and progress.

[7:22] That vision belonged to one man, Larry.

[7:24] Dominic we're celebrating a monumental milestone

[7:28] in Cicero's history.

[7:29] 20 years of transformative leadership under our town

[7:32] President Larry Dominic.

[7:34] In 2005, Larry Dominic took the oath of office

[7:37] as town president with deep roots in this community

[7:40] and a lifetime of service behind him.

[7:42] He promised to put Cicero first and he never looked back.

[7:46] Let's take a journey through some

[7:47] of the remarkable achievements that have defined his tenure.

[7:52] From day one. President Dominic worked to make Cicero safer,

[7:56] cleaner, and stronger Under his leadership, crime dropped.

[8:00] Public safety was modernized

[8:02] and vital infrastructure was rebuilt all

[8:05] with the people in mind.

[8:08] He made Cicero a town for everyone, for our seniors,

[8:11] more resources, more care for our children, safer streets,

[8:15] better schools, and brighter futures for our families.

[8:19] Parks, programs and year-round

[8:20] events that bring us together.

[8:23] But Larry's vision extends far beyond just safety.

[8:27] He's been a champion for community development,

[8:31] most notably with the opening

[8:33] of Cicero's first fully disability accessible playground.

[8:36] Phil Fuentes Ability Park

[8:39] President Dominic brought economic revitalization to Cicero.

[8:42] Small businesses flourished.

[8:44] Jobs were created and neighborhoods were transformed

[8:47] with dignity and pride.

[8:51] Larry's dedication to our seniors is unparalleled

[8:53] through innovative programs, offering yard work services,

[8:56] water discounts, and transportation assistance.

[8:59] Our senior citizens enjoy a quality of life that's the envy

[9:03] of other municipalities.

[9:05] And if it wasn't for the help I get from this town

[9:07] for senior services, I don't know how I would go on.

[9:11] They are the best in the world. They do everything you need.

[9:16] They don't charge me.

[9:17] And it's just a, it's the best program I ever

[9:21] Best town for a senior to live in.

[9:23] Nobody has it as good as we do

[9:25] Because what would this world be without the police,

[9:28] the fire and the military.

[9:33] For two decades, he has stood by our veterans,

[9:35] our first responders,

[9:38] and the hardworking residents who make Cicero what it is.

[9:43] We celebrate his sixth inauguration.

[9:45] It's clear that Larry Dominic's leadership has

[9:47] profoundly transformed Cicero with a focus on safety,

[9:51] community development, inclusivity,

[9:54] and unwavering support for our seniors.

[9:56] He's laid down a legacy

[9:57] that will be remembered for generations.

[9:59] Here's to 20 years of progress

[10:01] and to many more years of growth

[10:03] and prosperity under Larry Dominic's visionary leadership.

[10:06] Thank you Larry, for your unwavering dedication

[10:09] and for making Cicero a better place for all of us.

[10:11] Stay tuned. Cicero, the best is yet to come.

[10:14] 20 years of progress, 20 years

[10:16] of pride, 20 years of service.

[10:17] Congratulations President Larry Dominic, on 20 years

[10:20] of leadership and a future still full of promise.

[10:45] Thank you very much.

[10:46] It, uh, brings tears

[10:50] to my eyes because it's been nothing of joy.

[10:55] I love working in front of people and I saw myself,

[11:15] my son prayer just like me.

[11:18] And so sad not.

[11:24] And, uh, I just love working for people and doing stuff.

[11:28] I've worked for Cisco 55 years

[11:33] and, uh, I don't know.

[11:35] I hope that I, in office, I hope that happens

[11:40] before I could have retired

[11:43] because sitting home, I can't do,

[11:45] I've been working since I'm 14

[11:49] and people thought I was, was dying.

[11:54] My opponents thought I was dying this last February.

[11:57] They were so happy. But God prevail is always amen.

[12:03] Thank you.

[12:11] I don't know, I I've been blessed my whole life.

[12:15] Great kids, great family, great, uh, grandkids,

[12:21] great wife, great daughter.

[12:26] She is my daughter. So

[12:32] I've just been blessed and I got a great board.

[12:34] The board works for me. It's not a one man job.

[12:38] It takes all the department heads, all the board members

[12:43] to work as one united.

[12:45] We stand. Why do we fall? Exactly.

[12:48] So we're always a good group.

[12:51] We all talk, we all help each other

[12:54] and we're here for the people assist room.

[12:56] And um, thank you so much for getting me reelected.

[13:01] You know, I can say is four more years.

[13:14] Thank you. And Emma congratulate all my board

[13:19] for getting reelected.

[13:20] And it's a blessing to have us all together.

[13:24] Lot's of years of experience, lots of years of experience.

[13:31] Everyone here has got more experience than people

[13:33] ever ran against us.

[13:35] None of them had experience.

[13:37] So the experience counts and we are blessed

[13:43] and the town is blessed to have such great board members

[13:47] to work for the people.

[13:49] Ro and God bless everybody.

[13:51] Thank you so much for this special day

[14:05] In 2005

[14:06] and many elections thereafter,

[14:08] a young lawyer volunteered her time on President Dominic's

[14:11] campaign because she believed in his vision for a new Cicero

[14:14] and wanted to ensure that everyone who wanted

[14:17] to vote had the ability to vote 20 years later, uh,

[14:21] she's now a circuit court judge

[14:22] and she asked today to be the one

[14:24] that swears in President Dominic

[14:26] for his sixth historical inauguration.

[14:29] So if introducing

[14:33] Judge,

[14:38] We're gonna start with, uh, you.

[14:39] Yeah,

[14:42] I'm skinny.

[14:47] You lost the weight. I found it 20 years. All right.

[14:51] Right. Well first let me say thank you and congratulations.

[14:54] Thank you. I can't believe it's been that long

[14:56] and I've come full circle in my career, so I am honored,

[14:59] honored, honored to be here with you today.

[15:02] I was suppose that, no, this is a speaker Welch wife

[15:06] and, um, the speaker and her helped me during my election

[15:11] and it was their leadership that guided us.

[15:15] So I'm so happy for you all today. Um, all right, Mr.

[15:18] President, you're ready. Raise your right hand please. Aye.

[15:23] Aye, search name.

[15:24] Larry Dominic, Having been reelected, having

[15:28] Been reelected To the office of town president

[15:31] To the office of town president

[15:33] For the town of Cicero, county of Cook for

[15:35] The, for the town of Cicero, county of Cook that I love,

[15:40] Do solemnly swear and affirm,

[15:41] Do solemnly swear and affirm

[15:43] That I'll support the Constitution of the United States.

[15:47] I will support the constitution of the United States,

[15:50] The constitution of the state of Illinois,

[15:52] Constitution, state, Illinois,

[15:54] And that I will faithfully discharge

[15:56] And I will faithfully discharge

[15:58] The duties of town president, the

[16:00] Duties of town president

[16:01] To the best of my ability, to the

[16:03] Best of my ability. Congratulations

[16:04] Mr. President. Thank

[16:06] You.

[16:20] It's up to you. How would you, here's all right.

[16:25] And Madam Clerk, please raise your right hand. Aye.

[16:28] Aye. Maria Zo Arias

[16:30] Having been elected as a town clerk,

[16:32] Having been elected as a town clerk

[16:34] In the town of Cicero County of Cook

[16:37] In the town of Cicero County of Cook,

[16:39] Do solemnly swear and affirm,

[16:42] Do solemnly swear and

[16:43] Affirm that I'll support the Constitution

[16:46] of United States, that I

[16:47] Will support the Constitution of the United States

[16:50] Constitution, of the state of Illinois, the

[16:52] Constitution of the state of Illinois,

[16:53] And that I'll faithfully discharge the duties and

[16:56] That I will faithfully discharge the duties

[16:58] Of town clerk of town clerk to the best of my ability, to

[17:02] The best of my ability.

[17:03] Congratulations Madam Clerk.

[17:14] Alright, and can you please raise your right hand and wait

[17:19] after I, you're going to insert your name,

[17:23] Joe Harso.

[17:24] Aye. Joe Caruso, having been elected

[17:28] as town supervisor

[17:30] Having been elected at town, supervisor

[17:33] In the town of Cicero, town of Cicero, county of Cook,

[17:36] County of Cook, Do swear and affirm,

[17:39] Do swear and affirm

[17:41] That I will support the Constitution of the United States,

[17:44] Support the Constitution of the United States,

[17:46] The constitution of the State of Illinois,

[17:49] Constitution, of the state of Illinois,

[17:51] And that I will faithfully discharge

[17:54] And I will faithfully discharge

[17:55] The duties of town, supervisor

[17:58] Of town supervisor

[18:00] According to the best of my ability, according

[18:03] To the best of my ability.

[18:04] Congratulations. Thank you.

[18:09] Thank you Mary,

[18:14] You please raise your right hand and repeat after me.

[18:17] I, Blanca Varga.

[18:19] I Blanca barrette, Having been elected to office

[18:22] of town trustee, have

[18:24] Been elected to town of trustee

[18:26] In the town of Cicero, of The town of

[18:29] Cicero, county of Cook, county of Cook.

[18:31] Do swear and affirm, Do swear and affirm

[18:34] Thou will support the Constitution

[18:36] of the United States. That

[18:37] I do support the Constitution of the United States,

[18:40] The Constitution of the state of Illinois,

[18:42] The constitution of the state of Illinois.

[18:44] And I will faithfully discharge the duties

[18:47] And I will faithfully discharge the duties

[18:49] Of town trustee From town trustee

[18:52] To the best of my ability, To the best of my ability.

[18:55] Congratulations

[19:03] Mr.

[19:03] Robert Gar. Bob Per

[19:06] The last best done.

[19:08] Of course. Alright, and please raise your right hand. Aye.

[19:13] Aye. Robert Bob Prad.

[19:15] Robert Bob Prad,

[19:16] Having been elected to the office of town trustee, having

[19:20] Been elected to the office of town trustee,

[19:22] The town of Cicero, The town of Cicero, county

[19:25] Of Cook. County of

[19:26] Cook, Do swear and affirm,

[19:28] Do swear and affirm

[19:29] Thou will support the constitution of the United States

[19:32] That'll support the constitution of the United States,

[19:34] The constitution of the state of Illinois,

[19:37] The constitution of the state of Illinois,

[19:39] And faithfully discharge the duties

[19:41] And faithfully discharge the duties

[19:43] Of town trustee Of town trustee

[19:46] To the best of my ability, to

[19:47] The best of my ability.

[19:48] Congratulations. Thank you.

[19:58] Thank you.

[20:00] Okay. Um, some people might wonder why we purchased a

[20:04] building on 59th and 35th Street.

[20:09] Believe it or not, that's the funeral carver.

[20:11] We're gonna rehab it and it's gonna be a senior center.

[20:16] So,

[20:20] And the Current senior center will be a mini town hall

[20:25] where we'll have people working

[20:27] where you can get vehicle tags and pay your water

[20:30] and stuff so we can move up to the next century.

[20:34] 'cause we're a little behind times, but we'll get there.

[20:37] It takes a lot of money, a lot of work.

[20:40] The worst thing is all the environmental stuff.

[20:44] It's always the worst. But the new park will be opening

[20:49] when, hopefully July, August.

[20:59] But it's for people's information.

[21:03] Um, Vanessa here and, uh, Craig

[21:08] and several others, but Tom Thompson have been working on

[21:11] this work and, uh, it's gonna be beautiful

[21:14] for everybody no matter who you are.

[21:17] So, thank you.

20 Years Celebration Of President Dominick

Transcript