Coal City Courant

Church Street makeover

Published by admin on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 5:32pm

Construction crews have torn out a portion of Church Street to make way for a new drive-thru lane at CVS Pharmacy. The improvement is being completed as part of the South Broadway reconstruction project.
The pharmacy—previously Doc’s Drugs—has utilized a drive-thru window for over 20 years, but it wasn’t until late 2018 when it came to the village’s attention the window was never determined to be an allowable use through an approved conditional use request.

Unit 1 reviewing state guidance on return to school

Published by admin on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 5:30pm

A day after Illinois released new guidelines related to Phase 4 of the governor’s Restore Illinois plan, school districts were provided with a bit of guidance on what the school year will look like.
On Tuesday afternoon, Coal City Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg issued a letter to district families with an update on the district’s efforts to prepare for the start of new school year.

Strategic plan outlines new, continuing objectives

Published by admin on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 5:29pm

When schools abruptly closed in mid-March amid the Coronavirus pandemic, the Unit 1 School District was still working on its strategic plan.
The plan, developed through a collaborative process, serves as a blueprint for the year by setting a common set of goals and objectives.
The plan is based on five themes—student safety, health and human services, student learning, long range planning and Unit 1 community—each with a series of objectives to be accomplished within the course of a fiscal year.

Homecoming spirit alive in Carbon Hill

Published by admin on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 5:27pm

One can hear the wind blowing through the leaves of Carbon Hill’s catalpa trees, an unprecedented sound at this time of year.
For 70 years, the citizens of the village have welcomed guests from near and far to celebrate the town’s history in the municipal park, but today the park is empty.
No bingo or bands, no softball or rides on the Scrambler, no parade, no politicians...just a pandemic that has shut it all down.
Carbon Hill Homecoming is one of the most anticipated festivals of the summer season, but this year there is no event.

Unit 1 presents first draft of 2021 budget

Published by admin on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 5:05pm

The first draft of the Unit 1 School District’s budget projects a decrease in both revenue and expenses for fiscal year 2021.
In its current form the financial document indicates a modest .44% reduction in expense from one fiscal year to the next with 2021 expenses currently projected at $35.35 million.
On the revenue side, the district is projecting a 5% decrease with funds coming in at roughly $33.6 million.
Jason Smith, the district’s chief school business official, reports there are several unknowns in both revenue and expenses.

South Broadway slated to be wrapped up by months end

Published by admin on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 5:04pm

“Cautiously optimistic,” are the two words Coal City Village Trustee Dave Spesia finds himself speaking as the South Broadway reconstruction deadline approaches.
As chairman of the village’s Streets and Alleys Committee, Spesia has been keeping a close eye on the downtown reconstruction project that is slated to be wrapped up by the end of the month.
Although an exact date for completion is not yet known, the trustee pointed out some of the finishing touches that have been put into place over the past few weeks, including new street signs.

Engineering first step to access grant dollars

Published by admin on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 5:03pm

When capital funding becomes available to municipalities, the village of Coal City wants to be in a position to grab those dollars.
Village Administrator Matt Fritz told the Village Board last week the town can be prepared for certain funding opportunities by preparing now.
“Increasingly, the state of Illinois looks to move its funding forward without utilizing the same programming as it has previously. It has become more difficult to predict what capital financing will be available and its timing,” Fritz said.

Budgeted expense questioned

Published by admin on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 5:02pm

A wheels have been ordered for the village police department, but not everyone on the Coal City Village Board approves of the purchase.
Town officials included the purchase of not one, but two, squad cars in the fiscal year 2021 budget. But given the fiscal unknowns of the pandemic, a suggestion was made by finance commissioner Tim Bradley to push the purchase off for while.

Carbon Hill goes green with grant

Published by admin on Tue, 06/09/2020 - 4:56pm

A $5,000 Urban and Community Forestry Grant will enable the village of Carbon Hill to preserve its community heritage and ensure continued enjoyment for all who visit its beautiful Carbon Hill Park.
The village is among 20 Illinois communities awarded grants administered by The Morton Arboretum, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and USDA Forest Service, to help improve Illinois urban forestry.

Requests granted

Published by admin on Tue, 06/09/2020 - 4:54pm

The first round of Downstate Stabilization Grants have been awarded, and two local businesses will be getting a cut of the $1.3 million disbursement.
In response to the impact COVID-19 is having on the business community, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity [DCEO] put federal Community Development Block Grant program dollars into the program making $20 million available to select businesses hurt by the pandemic.