City Council

May I bring up an item of concern to the Council at a meeting?

The City Council has provided a permanent placement at the beginning of the Agenda for citizens' request to address the Council called Public Commentary. Public Commentary is held before Business Items. Before the meeting, anyone who wishes to discuss any item including those on the agenda, must present in writing to the City Clerk: their name, address and the subject matter on which they wish to speak. During Public Commentary, the Mayor will ask those people on the list to address the City Council. Each person will have a maximum of five minutes to speak. A person can only address the Council one time during the Public Commentary. There will be no pubilc commentary during the Business Items, except during a Public Hearing.

Download the Public Commentary Form here:    pdf Public Commentary Form (60 KB)

How do I communicate with the Council if I'm hearing impaired or physically challenged?

Phone 562-6161 by Friday prior to the Council meeting. Rochelle City Hall has a wheelchair ramp entrance off the side parking lot and is equipped with an elevator that meets ADA requirements.

I know the City Council adopted an Ordinance, Agreement, or Resolution. How do I find it?

Contact the City Clerk's Office. We keep records beginning in 1853 and we can search by subject, date or by document.

How can I obtain the City Council Agenda and Minutes?

Upon request, the Agenda can be obtained in any of the following ways: By calling the City Clerk's office 562-6161 the Agenda can be: Faxed to you Mailed (at no charge to you) By Internet: www.cityofrochelle.net Click on City Clerk Click on Agenda/Minutes or Picked up in the City Clerk's office. You may receive the Minutes by mail for $30/year, by sending a request for same with your name and address; or you can access the Minutes for free by Internet.

How do I reach my Council Representative?

The Mayor and Council Members are voted at-large. The City Clerk's Office can inform you who your Council Members are and can provide phone numbers and addresses. You can also go to the website for City Council.

When and where are City Council meetings held?

The City Council meets for formal business sessions on the second and fourth Mondays of the month beginning at 6:30 P.M. These meetings are open to the public. From time to time the Council will meet in a Special Council Meeting or a Committee of the Whole. Notice will be given to the media for publication of those meetings. Meetings are held in Council Chambers on the 1st floor of City Hall. The meetings are open to the public. WRHL radio carries the Council meetings.

Mayor John Bearrows                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

(Term: 2023-2027)

John is a lifelong resident of Rochelle, a self-employed Auctioneer/Owner of Bearrows Real Estate and Auction Company since 1975.  Also, John holds a managing Brokers Real Estate License with Bearrows Real Estate and Auction Company in Rochelle.

John joined the city council in 2017 as a councilman, then elected mayor in 2019

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Phone: 815-561-2001

Tom McDermott

(Term: 2023-2027)

Tom has an A.A.S and A.S. Degree from Kishwaukee College a B.A. Degree from Western Illinois University. Tom is retired after completing more than 35 years working for the City of Rochelle.

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Phone: 815-762-9397

Bil Hayes

(Term: 2023-2027)

Bil Hayes is a life-long resident of Rochelle. He has served on the City Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Hayes works as a Service Manager for Oxbo International Corporation.

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Phone: 815-751-8729

Ben Valdivieso

(Term: 2023-2027)

Ben is a Sheriff’s Deputy for a local area Sheriff’s Department and holds a Masters Degree from American Military University in National Security Studies.  He is a graduate from RTHS and was born and raised in Rochelle.

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Phone: 815-762-4555

Dan McDermott

(Term: 2021-2025)

Dan is a retired school teacher with an Associates Degree from Kishwaukee College and a Bachelor's Degree from NIU. He has served as a Volunteer Firefighter and EMT. Dan is also a lifelong resident of Rochelle

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Phone: 815-562-8967

Kate Shaw-Dickey

(Term: 2021-2025)

After graduating from RTHS, Kate earned a B.S. in Business from Millikin University and then went on to complete the MBA program at NIU. Kate worked in retail management for almost 10 years before joining FNB-Rochelle 2 years ago and began a career in Human Resources. Kate also served on the Rochelle planning and zoning commission for almost 7 years.

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Phone: 815-762-5163

Rosaelia Arteaga

Term (2021-2025)

Rosie Arteaga lives and teaches in Rochelle and has been teaching at Lincoln School for the past thirteen years.  She completed her Bachelor's Degree at Aurora University and her Master's Degree at NIU in Bilingual Education.  Rosie was born and raised in Mendota, IL.

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Phone: 815-993-6336