Macomb City Council swears in new police chief, approves $4 million sewer loan and multiple measures

Richard Todd Tedro was sworn in as Macomb’s new chief of police after the City Council voted to concur with Mayor Michael J. Inland’s appointment and approved an employment agreement that places the chief at grade 35, step 4 in the city pay matrix.

At the podium during the oath, Tedro recited the statutory oath, saying, “I, Richard Todd Tedro, having been appointed to the position of chief of police for the Macomb City Police Department in the city of Macomb, do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America… and that I will faithfully discharge duties as the chief of police to the best of my ability.” Council members congratulated Tedro and a reception was scheduled after the meeting.

Front‑loaded in the meeting’s business was an ordinance authorizing the city to borrow up to $4 million from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Pollution Control Loan Program to finance sewer system improvements. City staff described the project’s estimated construction cost as about $4 million with a 24‑year useful life; semiannual principal and interest payments were noted. Council voted to waive the second reading and adopted the ordinance, authorizing the mayor to execute the application and loan agreement.

The council also approved several other items by roll call:

Votes at a glance

- Concur with mayor’s appointment of Richard Todd Tedro as police chief — Approved (tally: yes 7, no 0).
- Approve employment agreement for Chief Tedro (grade 35, step 4; standard benefits) — Approved (tally: yes 7, no 0).
- Adopt ordinance authorizing Water Pollution Control Loan (authorize borrowing not to exceed $4,000,000) — Approved (tally: yes 7, no 0).
- Approve part‑time Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) clerk job description (pay grade 13) — Approved (tally: yes 7, no 0).
- Approve Memorandum of Understanding with Georgetown Homeowners Association for summer swim lessons — Approved (tally: yes 7, no 0).
- Accept change order credit (-$49,287.64) for the 2026 hot‑mix asphalt roadway project — Approved (tally: yes 6, no 0; one member had left the meeting prior to the vote).

Several first readings were held and placed on future committee agendas, including a commercial lease for 5 East Side Square with Spellbound Stories LLC and special‑use permit items for rooftop solar and front‑yard parking; the planning commission had recommended approval for those permits.

Councilmembers and staff framed the water loan as a necessary infrastructure investment to protect public health and meet Illinois Municipal Code requirements for sewage system improvements. The FOIA clerk position was described by city staff as a response to a backlog of public records requests; the job was presented as a part‑time position intended to help the city meet statutory response obligations.

The meeting closed after brief committee reports and community announcements, including a reminder about city cleanup days and the city events calendar.