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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Ian Wade, Capital Projects Manager
DATE: August 10, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to utilize the Omnia Cooperative Purchasing Contract to enter into an agreement with Play Illinois, LLC in the amount of $99,708 to purchase new playground equipment for Garfield Park in Ward 1.
PURPOSE:
To utilize the Omnia Cooperative Purchasing Contract to purchase playground equipment as a part of the upcoming improvement project at Garfield Park.
BACKGROUND:
Garfield Park is one of the City's five Legacy Parks. In 2024, the city applied for and received a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program for $600,000 to construct a number of improvements, including but not limited to: a new playground, a splash pad, parking lots and athletic facilities. This grant requires matching funds, and the $1.2M necessary to cover the City's share and front fund the grant dollars has been included in the 2026 budget (CIP F070). Design of these improvements is ongoing, and construction is anticipated be bid fall of 2026.
DISCUSSION:
Play Illinois, LLC was one of three commercial playground equipment vendors that provided proposals to the city and our designer (Upland Design) for new equipment at Garfield Park. While the proposals provided all had similar costs, the equipment proposed by Play Illinois, LLC (see attached proposal with selected colors shown) was selected by city staff. The new equipment purchase utilizing the Omnia contract R220201 for $99,708 is available in account 340-4440-451.73-43 (which currently has an available balance of $1,197,790.80) as part of CIP F070.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Utilizing the Omnia contract will save the City over $28,000 which can be put toward improving other amenities as part of the upcoming improvements to Garfield Park.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Infrastructure & Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to utilize the Omnia Cooperative Purchasing Contract to enter into an agreement with Play Illinois, LLC in the amount of $99,708 to purchase new playground equipment for Garfield Park.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, Garfield Park is a Legacy Park and the second largest city-owned park with amenities in varying stages of disrepair or obsolescence; and
WHEREAS, the City recently secured a matching funds grant from Illinois Department of Natural Resources through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program for $600,000 to improve Garfield Park; and
WHEREAS, $1,200,000 is budgeted for 2026 (CIP F070, account 340-4440-451.73-43) for these improvements, which include new playground equipment; and
WHEREAS, Play Illinois, LLC of Westmont, IL was awarded an Omnia Cooperative Purchasing Contract R220201, which allows us to purchase the new playground equipment proposed for Garfield Park; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the Director of Purchasing is authorized to utilize the Omnia Cooperative Purchasing Contract to enter into an agreement with Play Illinois, LLC in the amount of $99,708 to purchase new playground equipment for Garfield Park.