Casey Annexes City-Owned Properties to Correct Boundary ‘Donut Holes’

Spread the love

Casey City Council Meeting | May 18, 2026

Article Summary: The Casey City Council on Monday, May 18, 2026, approved Ordinance No. 628, annexing five tracts of city-owned property — including the airport and several utility sites — that county records had shown as outside city limits. The annexation passed unanimously.

Casey Annexation Key Points:

  • Ordinance No. 628 annexes city-owned tracts including the airport, the East Washington Street water building and tank, the utility building, gas barn and sewer plant.
  • The issue surfaced when the county 911 department asked the city to verify its corporate boundaries and anomalies appeared.
  • Economic Development Director Tom Daughhetee said additional annexations of privately owned “donut holes” will come in future weeks.
  • The ordinance passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

CASEY — The Casey City Council on Monday, May 18, 2026, voted unanimously to annex several city-owned properties that, despite belonging to the city, had appeared outside its corporate limits on county maps.

Ordinance No. 628 annexes certain territory under the state provision allowing a municipality to annex contiguous, uninhabited, unincorporated property it owns. Economic Development Director Tom Daughhetee said the matter came to light when the county 911 department sent the city a map of its corporate boundaries and asked staff to confirm it was correct. “We started seeing some weirdness and anomalies,” Daughhetee said.

Among the city-owned parcels included in the annexation, Daughhetee said, are the airport, the East Washington Street water building and tank, the utility building, gas barn and sewer plant. “None of those were shown as being within city limits,” he said. The ordinance’s Exhibit A lists five tracts, including 101 Airport Road and several parcels along East Washington Street and Southeast 8th Street.

City Attorney Tracy Willenborg described the broader effort as cleaning up “donut holes” — pockets of property that county records show as not being within city limits despite sitting in the center of the community. Daughhetee said more annexations involving privately owned parcels are coming. “We’re working with some of these folks on where we’ve got these,” he said. “That’ll be coming down the road, but this is all city owned stuff.”

The motion was made for approval and seconded, and the ordinance passed on a unanimous roll call.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

GOP senator wants budget transparency; Dems describe open process

GOP senator wants budget transparency; Dems describe open process

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Illinois state senators return to Springfield, Democrats and Republicans disagree over the level of transparency in...

WATCH: Illinois sues over public safety tactics around immigration enforcement

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois is suing the Trump administration, alleging the tactics being used to enforce public safety around immigration...
Illinois voices collide as Trump’s Maduro arrest fuels war powers debate

Illinois voices collide as Trump’s Maduro arrest fuels war powers debate

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has triggered a constitutional debate over executive power, dividing...
Illinois Supreme Court justice to retire

Illinois Supreme Court justice to retire

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Cetner Square) – Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis has announced her retirement from the Illinois Supreme Court, effective...
Bridge payment a ‘bandage,’ Illinois farmers say

Bridge payment a ‘bandage,’ Illinois farmers say

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois corn grower says the $12 billion taxpayer funded bridge payment the Trump administration announced will...
Even with new rule, Illinois lawmakers could restrict inmate mail scanning

Even with new rule, Illinois lawmakers could restrict inmate mail scanning

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) has a permanent rule in place for electronic mail processing, but...
WATCH: States sue over funds; DHS responds to critics; Fed responds to investigation

WATCH: States sue over funds; DHS responds to critics; Fed responds to investigation

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares recent comments...
Illinois quick hits: Child care funding unfrozen

Illinois quick hits: Child care funding unfrozen

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Child care funding unfozen Federal child care and welfare dollars for Illinois and four other states are unfrozen after a U.S....
Screenshot 2026-01-06 at 2.00.22 PM

Council Approves Police Union Agreement; Officer Moved to Full-Time

Meeting Summary and Briefs: City of Casey Council Meeting | Jan. 5, 2026 Article Summary: The City Council finalized a memorandum of agreement with the police union and officially elevated...
Chicago Flips Red calls for audit after public schools report

Chicago Flips Red calls for audit after public schools report

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A grassroots Chicago group is calling for a forensic audit of the city’s entire public school system...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lake Land College Board of Trustees for November 2025

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | November 2025 The Lake Land College Board of Trustees met on Monday, November 10, 2025, to address infrastructure improvements, financial planning, and...
Screenshot 2026-01-06 at 2.00.15 PM

Casey Prepares for ‘America 250’ and Founders Day Parade

Meeting Summary and Briefs: City of Casey Council Meeting | Jan. 5, 2026 Article Summary: Local organizers presented ambitious plans for the upcoming Founders Day and America 250 celebrations, including...
Lake Land College.6

Foundation Announces Major Estate Gift; Board Accepts Workforce Grants

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Lake Land College Foundation received a significant estate gift to support Mattoon students, while the board accepted...
Screenshot 2026-01-06 at 1.59.59 PM

Council Updates Security Light Fees; Installation Cost Set at $350

Meeting Summary and Briefs: City of Casey Council Meeting | Jan. 5, 2026 Article Summary: The City Council approved a new fee structure for private security lights installed on city...
Rotary Patty Richards

Patty Richards Guest Speaker at Rotary

Patty Richards (right) was the guest of Rotarian Marcy Mumford (left) at Tuesday’s weekly Rotary Club meeting at Richards Farm, discussing the Quincentennial--250 years celebration. The local theme will incorporate...