Tagged: IL

Colchester Mayor Danny Bice would like to get a clearer picture of the city's water consumption.

One step he would like to take is to install a water meter at the Colchester Fire protection District building.

The Illini West School Board spent a year evaluating potential sites for a new high school.  It chose a location next door.  It is just east of the current high school's parking lot.

The 40-acre site is farmland that is currently covered by tall,  green and brown corn plants.

Those who were hoping for a central location will be disappointed.

But Superintendent Kim Schilson says such a location would come with some expensive problems to solve.

Carthage is being pro-active by encouraging water conservation by a combination of mandatory and voluntary measures.

Businesses are required to stop watering their lawns.

Second-ward Alderman Gary Smith says the city is concerned since the level at the city's lake has fallen by five feet recently.

He expects businesses will honor the ban. Smith says, “We've had good luck in the past and I think we'll probably not have any problem this time.”Businesses that ignore the order could be subject to fines.

A storage building owned by Chad Hunziker will be spared destruction. The Macomb City Council removed it from a list of buildings slated for demolition.

Alderman-at-large Don Wynn says Hunziker  has made a lot of improvements to the building.

He says, “I went out and looked at that building. And it's, from the outside of it, it's pretty secure. I mean, it's got a new roof on it  (It) does have some problems.”

Fifth-ward Alderman Dave Dorsett says the progress must continue.

Colchester residents say they won't be able to afford sewer rates of $50 per month.  That's the maximum amount the city would have to charge if it has to finance the entire $4.2 million dollar cost of a sewer repair project that is being mandated by the federal EPA.

The city held a public hearing as part of the grant application process. The city is hoping to qualify for at least $1.1 million from the USDA's Rural Development program. The application must be completed by July 15th.