The Building Commissioner governs a dignified team of respected women and men, both part-time and full-time employees, who responsibly act in their duties to correctly enforce all prevailing laws and provisions regulating ordinances and codes for construction, wrecking, housing and zoning.  The diverse staff of the East Chicago Building Department acts as representatives of our community.  Moreover, there are several bilingual employees who speak Spanish, enabling this department to serve the needs of that segment of our diverse community.

Administrative Staff

Ernest Hagler, Building Commissioner (ehagler@eastchicago.com)

Ø Departmental executive which duties include directing the overall daily activities and operations of the Building Department, including supervision and training of personnel; development and control of budget activities; enforcement of laws and provisions governing building, housing, zoning and other related codes and regulations as required; etc.

Winna Guzman, Administrative Assistant (wguzman@eastchicago.com)

Ø  Provides administrative support to departmental executive, including assisting in managing and maintaining departmental operations.

Ø  Performs secretarial duties, including servicing the public and high level officials; processing permits, contractor licenses, rental registrations and complaints; etc.

Ø Performs various clerical functions such as maintaining office personnel records, bookkeeping, purchasing, etc.

Maria Maldonado, Secretary (maldonadom@eastchicago.com)

Ø Performs secretarial/clerical duties, including servicing the public and high level officials; processing permits, contractor licenses, rental registrations and complaints; etc.

Monica Rosario, Secretary (mrosario@eastchicago.com)

Ø Performs secretarial/clerical duties, including servicing the public and high level officials; processing permits, contractor licenses, rental registrations and complaints; etc.

Inspections and Permits Division Inspectors

James Portalatin, Acting Supervisor (jportalatin@eastchicago.com)

Ø Responsible for performing on-site inspections and activities concerned with the enforcement of building codes, laws and provisions governing building, housing and zoning codes regarding building, erection, construction, alteration, repair or removal of buildings or other structures; approving or rejecting work permits accordingly; etc. 

Ø  Supervises subordinate inspectors and directs inspection personnel and activities concerned with the enforcement of building codes, laws and regulations in the specialized areas of building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and wrecking.

Guillermo Vargas, Acting Building Inspector

Ø Responsible for performing on-site inspections and activities concerned with the enforcement of building codes, laws and provisions governing building, housing and zoning codes regarding building, erection, construction, alteration, repair or removal of buildings or other structures. 

David Matthews, Senior Electrical Inspector (dmatthews@eastchicago.com)

Ø  Responsible for the supervision, direction and inspection of all electrical work and activities within the City and with the enforcement of related codes, laws, ordinances and regulations; approving or rejecting work permits accordingly; etc.

Ø  Performs on-site inspections of HVAC and plumbing work and activities within the City and the enforcement of related codes, laws, ordinances, and regulations; approving or rejecting work permits accordingly, etc.

Felix Reyes, Electrical Inspector (Part-time)

Ø  Responsible for performing on-site inspections of electrical work and activities within the City and with the enforcement of related codes, laws, ordinances and regulations; approving or rejecting work permits accordingly; etc.

Luis Martinez, Mechanical/Plumbing Inspector (lmartinez@eastchicago.com)

Ø Responsible for performing on-site inspections of all HVAC work and activities within the City and with the enforcement of related codes, laws, ordinances and regulations; approving or rejecting work permits accordingly; etc.

Ø Responsible for performing on-site inspections of all plumbing work and activities within the City and with the enforcement of related codes, laws, ordinances and regulations; approving or rejecting work permits accordingly, etc.

Ø Performs on-site inspections of all HVAC work and activities related to municipal-owned buildings.

June Florence Kennedy, Building Inspector (jkennedy@eastchicago.com)

Ø Currently training for performing on-site inspections and activities concerned with the enforcement of building codes, laws and provisions governing building, housing and zoning codes regarding building, erection, construction, alteration, repair or removal of buildings or other structures. 

Code Enforcement Division Inspectors

Keith Jackson, Inspector (kjackson@eastchicago.com)

Ø Responsible for performing on-site inspections concerned with the enforcement of City and State laws regarding housing standards and property maintenance codes to resolve unsafe living conditions for City residents.

Dametress Woodberry, Inspector (dwoodberry@eastchicago.com)

Ø Responsible for performing on-site inspections concerned with the enforcement of City and State laws regarding housing standards and property maintenance codes to resolve unsafe living conditions for City residents.

Ø Responsible for performing on-site inspections concerned with the enforcement of City and State laws regarding demolition/condemnation proceedings, including recording legal, preparation for hearings, etc., under the supervision of Building Commissioner.

Evelyn Diaz-Olivarez, Inspector (eolivarez@eastchicago.com)

Ø Responsible for performing on-site inspections concerned with the enforcement of City and State laws regarding housing standards and property maintenance codes to resolve unsafe living conditions for City resident

Ø Performs secretarial/clerical duties