Broadview names Dr. Peter Reddullik as building commissioner; emphasizes education-first enforcement and permit modernization

Mayor Katrina Thompson introduced Dr. Peter Reddullik on Thursday as the Village of Broadview’s new building commissioner and said the village split the department’s former single role to improve service delivery after the retirement of longtime commissioner David Upshaw.

“I am Mayor Katrina Thompson,” the mayor said, and described a departmental reorganization that places economic development under Terry Evans and zoning and planning under Caleb Neil while Reddullik leads the building department.

Dr. Peter Reddullik told attendees he aims to help residents and commercial businesses comply with village codes through education rather than immediately resorting to citations. “My goal basically is to be of assistance rather than … enforcement,” Reddullik said, adding that the department will try to “gain compliance through education.”

Reddullik, who said he retired from the Illinois State Police after nearly 30 years and has prior experience as a building inspector, distributed handouts describing permitting steps, contractor licensing and consumer-protection resources. He encouraged residents to verify contractors and advised, “if it's too good to be true, usually it is,” warning of fly-by-night contractors and citing past cases where unlicensed asphalt contractors left homeowners out of pocket.

On technology and process improvements, Reddullik said the department plans to adopt a software component to let code-enforcement officers operate more effectively in the field and to streamline permit submission and issuance. He asked residents to use the village website’s reporting link or the building department phone line for after-hours concerns and said permit submissions will be routed first to building-staff email to improve intake.

Reddullik reviewed how the village handles complaints and enforcement. Code officers generally issue a warning first and give residents time to remedy problems; if noncompliance continues the village can issue citations and pursue adjudication. He said fines can be assessed up to $750 if a citation is upheld in adjudication but emphasized the department’s preference for communication and reasonable timelines when homeowners face hardship.

Residents raised practical questions during a Q&A. A resident who identified themselves as Pat described dead wildlife and rodent problems near 2017 South 16th; Reddullik asked code officer Dwayne Jenkins to note the address and said the village would investigate who might be applying rodent poison. Reddullik clarified Broadview does not maintain its own animal-control unit and that the village coordinates with Maywood for animal control; for wildlife and rabies concerns he provided Cook County Animal Control’s contact (708-974-6140) and said private-property wildlife removal is typically the owner’s responsibility.

On utilities and homeowner cost exposure, Reddullik explained that service-line (lead/service-line) failures on private property are ordinarily the homeowner’s responsibility and recommended residents consider service-line protection plans and verify vendors through the building department.

Reddullik also clarified permit rules: cosmetic work such as painting or flooring generally does not require a permit, while structural changes, roof replacement, fences, driveway concrete and new garages do. He urged residents who are unsure about a project to call the building department at 708-345-8174 or use the village website for verification.

During public comment a resident complained that a banquet hall on 16th Avenue and Roosevelt creates noise, litter and parking overflow into nearby residential streets. Officials said Broadview vets businesses before licensing, will contact the proprietor in response to nuisance complaints and will use code enforcement and police as necessary to enforce village ordinances and parking rules.

Mayor Thompson closed by reminding residents of upcoming events and forums, including a Saturday session on home rule versus non-home rule powers that will be streamed and include speakers from the Illinois Municipal League and the village’s lobbyist. She urged continued resident engagement and said officials would follow up on the issues raised.

Next steps noted at the meeting: staff will investigate the rodent and banquet-hall complaints, the building department will move forward on permitting-process changes and the village will host the home-rule information session the following Saturday.