Trustee Tammy Brown and resident veteran Dr. Carlos Redmond presented a proposal Tuesday for a Veterans Memorial Park at Lincoln and King Drive in the village of Dolton and asked the Village Board to approve moving forward with fundraising and planning that would impose no direct cost on the village or residents.

The proposal calls for volunteers and village staff to perform most of the work and for materials already in hand to be used. "So we want to do a Veterans Memorial Park to honor the veterans here in the village of Dolton," Trustee Tammy Brown said, adding that, given the village's finances, the project "definitely has to be free 99. We can't afford to pay for anything."

Dr. Carlos Redmond, who identified himself as a veteran and said he has been pursuing funds in Springfield, told trustees he is meeting with legislative leaders and expects to continue seeking state support. "We just gotta keep hope alive," Dr. Redmond said. "I'm back down there next week. Be down there every other week fighting, and we're gonna get the funds to get this done."

Mr. Redmond told the board he has already secured some materials and that most labor would be provided by him and village staff. He said he has been working with "the majority leader of the House for Veterans Committee, state senator Mike Portfolio, and then also as well state representative Swanson," and referenced relationships that include U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth. The transcript did not specify the exact grants, line-item amounts, or legislative commitments.

Trustee Brown asked the board for formal approval to proceed with the proposal and preparatory steps. "Once we submit that proposal, there's no doubt in our mind that we won't get this Veterans Memorial Park done," she said, adding that installation likely would not take place until next year while planning and funding are arranged. The board's response or any formal vote on the request was not recorded in the transcript.

Dr. Redmond also noted his regular availability and ongoing work to support veterans projects, saying he is consistent in his efforts and that he intends to continue seeking funding and community support. The presentation did not include a timeline, final design, or a firm budget; those details were described as contingent on securing outside funds.

Next steps recorded in the discussion were limited to the presenters' plan to submit funding proposals and to ask for board approval to proceed with planning; no formal motion or vote on the proposal appears in the transcript.