Coal City Courant

Post 1336 goes back to class

Published by admin on Tue, 09/25/2018 - 4:37pm

St. Juvin Post 1336 adjutant Keith Roseland and junior vice commander James (Hoppy) Phillips spent part of Friday, Sept. 21 with  Coal City High School's  RUSH (Recent U.S. History) class.         Roseland, an U. S. Army veteran and Phillips, a Marine aviation veteran,  spent time “in country” and shared their perspectives on military service during the Vietnam War with 25 members of the high school class.

Secretary of State visits friends in Grundy County

Published by admin on Tue, 09/25/2018 - 4:35pm

     Invited by his long-time friend, Kim Scerine, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White was in town last weekend to meet and greet constituents, and talk about his life and role as a public official.
    Scerine, owner and artistic director at Broadway Dance Center in Diamond, first met White at the Illinois State Capital in 1990. She was there with her  dance company, the On Broadway Dancers, as it was being honored by the General Assembly in advance of its first overseas performance tour to Russia. At the time, White was serving in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Coal City to consider hiking elected official salaries

Published by admin on Tue, 09/25/2018 - 4:31pm

It's been suggested that the Coal City Village Board consider raising the annual salary of the mayor, village clerk and trustees, and for the first time in more than three decades it might just happen.
Every two to four years the concept is brought before the Village Board and every time the elected officials have said no to a pay hike. This time, it looks as if the mayor and trustees are open to the idea of making some changes.
“Anything that hasn't been looked at in 33 years is well worth looking at,” said Trustee David Spesia.  

Coal City and its cops ink new contract

Published by admin on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 7:29pm

     The Metropolitan Alliance of Police Chapter 186 and the village of Coal City have come to terms on a six-year collective bargaining agreement that assures fair compensation to officers while limiting the town’s pension exposure.
    The terms of the new contract were ratified by  union membership and approved by the Village Board at its Sept. 12 meeting. The agreement is retroactive to May 1.

Post 1336 accepting donations for community veterans monument

Published by admin on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 7:28pm

Donations to the Community Veterans Memorial Fund maintained by St. Juvin Post 1336 Veterans of Foreign Wars can be made at First Midwest Bank, 5 S. Kankakee St., Coal City, or to VFW Post 1336, P.O. Box 191, Coal City, IL, 60416.  Donations to the fund are maintained in a separate account and are only used for maintaining and improving the memorial.
For name placement on the Community Veteran's Memorial the following requirements must be met:

Coal City moving forward with water, storm improvements

Published by admin on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 7:26pm

     The village of Coal City will spend over $113,000 to upgrade municipal infrastructure along Fifth Avenue.
    Village engineer Ryan Hansen with Chamlin & Associates reports the work will include storm sewer upgrades at Fifth Avenue and Second Street where the storm drain has been in disrepair for some time.
    Hansen said the improvements will help with drainage in the area.
    The project also calls for two “deadend” water mains to be connected to complete the loop just north of the railroad crossing on Fifth Avenue.

Candidates start circulating petitions for local elections

Published by admin on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 7:25pm

     Tuesday was the first day individuals seeking election to local boards—municipal, school and library—could begin circulating nominating petitions for the consolidated election in spring 2019.
    Candidates have three months to collect the required signatures as completed statements of candidacy and nominating petitions must be filed by the close of business on Dec. 17.

Property purchases are for planned parking

Published by admin on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 7:24pm

     Over the course of several closed-session discussions the Coal City Village Board has been considering the acquisition of property. Last week the board announced publicly its plan to purchase two parcels along South Broadway for the town’s future parking needs.
    By a vote of the board, and in the case of one parcel not unanimously, trustees authorized the execution of purchase agreements for 160 and 622 S. Broadway. The total cost, not including interest, comes in around $222,000.

Body of missing Carbon Hill man found

Published by admin on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 9:12am

     The body of a missing Carbon Hill man was discovered inside an abandoned greenhouse by juveniles who were playing in the area.
    Grundy County Coroner John W. Callahan’s office, with assistance from the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office and Coal City Police Department, is investigating the death of James E. Roney.
    For the past several years, the 59-year-old had been living with friends in Carbon Hill. He went missing Sept. 4.

Final farmers market of the season is Saturday

Published by admin on Tue, 09/11/2018 - 5:20pm

    Farmers market season is coming to a close in the village of Coal City as Market Fresh on Broadway will host its final shopping day this weekend.
    The seventh and final farmers market of 2018 will be held Saturday, Sept. 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Campbell Memorial Park, 580 S. Broadway.
    As with every market, fresh produce, sweet treats, handcrafted items and natural body care products will be available from nearly 20 vendors.
    Vendors slated to participate in this weeks market include: