Wilmington City Council

Wilmington City Council finalizes local tobacco ordinance

Published by admin on Tue, 11/03/2020 - 3:52pm

The city of Wilmington has cleaned up the books, amending the local tobacco ordinance to agree with state law already in effect.

The city’s ordinance and licensing committee approved language, then passed by ordinance by the full council, that amends the city code on tobacco use, sales, and possession.

The state’s tobacco law, known as Tobacco 21, went into effect on July 1, 2019, and raised the age to purchase tobacco and nicotine products statewide from 18 to 21.

Rate increases set for monthly water meter charge in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 10/27/2020 - 5:52pm

The city of Wilmington has amended how it charges for new water meters. City officials said the plan is designed to make sure everyone is paying their fair share when it comes to those new meters.

On Oct. 20, the council approved an ordinance amending city code on meters and rates.

The ordinance amends the monthly fee for installation and replacement of meters, which will now be billed in accordance with the size of a customer’s meter.

Wilmington water bill incentive program extended

Published by admin on Tue, 10/27/2020 - 5:48pm

The city of Wilmington will extend its second water bill incentive program, aimed at encouraging residents to drink and eat local in exchange for a one-time rebate on their monthly water bill.

The program will provide a $50 rebate on residential water bills for those who spend at least $250 at local bars and restaurants. When the program was rolled out in earlier this month, the discount would only apply to those who spent at bars and restaurants during the month of October.

Sales tax revenues strong for Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 10/27/2020 - 5:46pm

The novel coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone’s bottom line.

But in Wilmington, the budget is so far on track for the city to make it through tough times, not unscathed, but at least better than anticipated.

Finance director Matt Hoffman gave a brief rundown of the state of the city’s finances to the Finance Committee during their regular meeting on Oct. 20.

“It’s going well,” Hoffman said of the budget.

Residents to Wilmington officials: Take the dam out

Published by admin on Tue, 10/20/2020 - 5:32pm

It’s been two months since the city of Wilmington sent surveys through the mail, asking the public to weigh in on the fate of the Kankakee River dam.

Now, with just two weeks before the deadline to get those surveys in, the initial results show overwhelming support for removal.

The surveys went out in August, and presented residents with options for how to address the dam.

The survey is based on guidance from a 2017 study, conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), that compared the costs of changes at the dam.

Wilmington still batting around ideas to address industrial residences

Published by admin on Tue, 10/20/2020 - 5:30pm

The city of Wilmington continues to struggle with defining the best way to deal with residences inside an industrial zone.

On Oct. 13, members of the ordinance and licensing committee reviewed possible amendments to city code regarding residences in I-1 industrial zoning districts.

The issue on residences in industrial districts came before the city last spring, after first responders to a fire call to Davy Lane reported to the city that several people were living in the industrial park.

Wilmington mayor responds to criticism over online video

Published by admin on Tue, 10/13/2020 - 5:10pm

Wilmington Mayor Roy Strong found himself on the receiving end of criticism after a video surfaced on YouTube, showing him using foul language at a group of people along the bridge over the Mill Race.

After the video made its way around social media, the mayor decided to address the issue head on during the Oct. 6 meeting of the full City Council.

Wilmington offers second water bill incentive program

Published by admin on Tue, 10/13/2020 - 4:56pm

The city of Wilmington has rolled out its second incentive program, aimed at encouraging folks to eat and drink local.

On Oct. 6, the City Council approved the program, which will provide a $50 rebate on residential water bills for those who spend at least $250 at local bars and restaurants during the month of October.

This is the second time the city has offered a water bill rebate incentive.

Wilmington City Council shows little interest in taking sides in dispute

Published by admin on Tue, 10/13/2020 - 4:55pm

A Wilmington woman who says the city is to blame for flooding on her property is getting few results from complaining to the city.

And, Kathy Kelly said she might be ready to just give up on her two-year fight to get some answers.

Kelly has been to various meetings of the city council and its committees over the summer, seeking help with a property issue. She said the neighbor who butts up to her Park Drive home put in concrete with drainage tiles pointing to her property in April of 2018.

Plans to install rail, fencing at Wilmington dam in holding pattern

Published by admin on Tue, 09/29/2020 - 4:00pm

Plans to put a guard rail up near the Kankakee River Dam in Wilmington have been in the works for some time.

However, the pace of those plans seems to be going nowhere, with orange sawhorses continuing to be the only barrier between people and getting close to the dam that has taken the lives of at least 15 people since 1982.

Earlier this month, Superintendent of Public Works Ken Ewenson told members of the City Council that while plans were ongoing to install a railing near the dam, there was some issue with getting that railing to fit properly around the curve.