City replaces Orlando and Strong on Plan Commission

Dominic Orlando has been removed from the Joliet Plan Commission, where he frequently questioned developers and at times sided with residents in votes on controversial warehouse projects.

A replacement for Orlando was one of three appointments to the Plan Commission and Board of Fire and Police Commissioners made by Mayor Bob
O'Dekirk and approved by the council on Tuesday.

O’Dekirk did not give him any reason for taking him off the commission, Orlando said.

The mayor, Orlando said, “did say, ‘thank you for your service. I know you put a lot of time and energy in the work involved.’”

He was removed two days before the commission met Thursday to vote on a rezoning for 331 acres at Millsdale and Bridge roads. Orlando in October successfully delayed the vote, a rare win for residents trying to slow down the pace of warehouse development on the south end of Joliet. The commission on Thursday approved the zoning.

O’Dekirk could not be reached for comment.

Orlando was replaced by John Dillon, former head of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 440, which represents Joliet’s public works employees. He retired in May.

O’Dekirk also appointed Mark Micetich, vice president of Laborers Local 75 in Crest Hill to replace Joseph Strong, who reportedly has moved out of Joliet, to the Plan Commission.

Strong also was a member of Board of Police and Fire Commissioners. Carol Turney was appointed to fill his spot.