Coal City Courant

Housing Rehab program on hold

Published by admin on Tue, 07/21/2020 - 5:19pm

The village of Coal City’s participation in a government funded housing rehabilitation program is on hold, at least for now.
Early in the year, village officials were notified Coal City was one of 13 communities selected by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity [DCEO] to share $6.3 million in Community Development Block Grant [CDBG] Housing Rehabilitation funds.

Coal City expanding TIF boundary

Published by admin on Tue, 07/21/2020 - 5:18pm

Nine years ago the village of Coal City established its first tax increment financing [TIF] district to encourage economic development. The village is now planning to expand the district’s boundaries.
Based on interest and the amount of available property prime for retail and industrial development, Coal City’s Administrator Matt Fritz informed the Village Board this month that “it would be advantageous to add additional property within the district in order to induce developers to place their projects within Coal City.”

Families have choice in return to school plan

Published by admin on Tue, 07/21/2020 - 5:17pm

The Unit 1 School District is providing parents the option of sending their children back to the classroom or keeping them home when school resumes in August.
On Monday, the Board of Education unanimously approved the district’s return to school plan, a multi-page document drafted with input from more than 60 school district stakeholders addressing issues such as teaching and learning, health and wellness, and facilities and operations.

ComEd’s bribery admission implicates Madigan

Published by admin on Fri, 07/17/2020 - 12:19pm

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ largest electric utility company has agreed to pay $200 million to resolve a federal investigation into a “yearslong bribery scheme” that was aimed, at least in part, at powerful longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and those surrounding him, according to court documents filed Friday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago.

Bugg to outline return to school plan during virtual town hall

Published by admin on Tue, 07/14/2020 - 5:18pm

As the start of a new school year draws closer, Unit 1 Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg will discuss the district’s recommended return to school plan during a virtual town hall.
Drafted with input from 60-plus individuals, the plan includes procedures based on mandates and recommendations provided by the Illinois State Board of Education [ISBE] and Illinois Department of Public Health [IDPH].

Retailer has interest in Coal City

Published by admin on Tue, 07/14/2020 - 5:15pm

A commercial real estate and investment firm has expressed interest in obtaining a retail site in the village of Coal City. It is asking town leaders to consider economic incentives to assist with the placement of a national retail franchise.
6S Development, LLC, a Texas-based firm, says it has a client looking to open a business in the area and Coal City is on the list of potential sites.

Unit 1 Foundation awards $29,000 in scholarships

Published by admin on Tue, 07/14/2020 - 5:14pm

The Unit 1 Educational Foundation and its partners recently handed out $29,000 in scholarships to graduating members of the Coal City High School class of 2020, as well as alumni.
Lillian Best was the recipient of the John Cumming Memorial Scholarship, a $1,000 award for a student who will attend Illinois State University.
Kit Clayburn, Natalie Durham and Payton Hutchings were recipients of the Martis Family Scholarship, a $500 award presented in memory of Martis.

Utility extension key for economic development

Published by admin on Tue, 07/14/2020 - 5:12pm

The state of Illinois has allocated $13 million to transform underutilized properties into opportunities for economic development, and the village of Coal City is looking to secure a small portion of those dollars to extend water and sewer along South Broadway.
Village trustees have agreed to submit a funding application to the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity [DCEO] seeking $2 million from the Rebuild Illinois Shovel Ready Sites program that includes a $1 million set aside to assist with brownfield development.

New pastor for Assumption, Immaculate Conception

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:48pm

The Diocese of Joliet has named a new priest to oversee Coal City’s Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church and Immaculate Conception Parish in Braidwood.

The Rev. Read Bader began his new assignment on Wednesday, July 1. He replaces Rev. Robert Noesen who was reassigned to serve as pastor of Saint Peter the Apostle Church in Itasca.

Coal City town cleanup scheduled for July 14

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:46pm

The village of Coal City and Waste Management have rescheduled the town’s annual spring cleanup for mid-July.
The clean-up was postponed due to service changes implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The waste hauler has since resumed normal operations and has scheduled cleanup day for Tuesday, July14.
The cleanup will be curbside for Coal City residents and includes a white item, electronics and tire pickup.