Meeting Briefs

Casey City Council July 7 Meeting Briefs

Police Vehicle Purchase: Casey City Council approved the purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe squad car for $54,864 from Mike Chevrolet. The vehicle was budgeted in last year’s appropriations but delivery was delayed until this year.

Return-to-Work Policy: The council approved Ordinance #586 adopting a return-to-work policy for city employees injured on the job. The policy allows workers to remain on payroll with limited duties or temporary assignments until they can fully return to their positions.

Walking Path Phase Two: Council members approved moving forward with the second phase of the city’s walking path project. The total cost is estimated at $117,000, with $40,000 from the Lumpkin Foundation and $30,000 from CIA. The remaining balance will come from ARPA funds, which have $40,000-$50,000 remaining.

Infrastructure Update: Utility Superintendent Shelby Biggs reported that Wallace Construction began sidewalk work on Northeast Street Monday, with completion expected by the end of next week. The project addresses student safety concerns after a previous incident.

Lead Service Line Inventory: The city must notify 520 customers this week about potentially unknown service line materials as part of EPA requirements. Officials have not found any lead service lines but must inform customers whose line materials remain undetermined.

Financial Reports: The council approved June bills paid totaling $934,489.87 and Treasurer Gail Lorton’s collection report of $539,731.08.

July 4th Celebration: Officials reported a successful Independence Day celebration with popular food trucks and well-attended fireworks display. The event featured improved logistics and drew larger crowds than previous years.

Business Improvement Grants: Economic Development Director Tom Daughhetee announced the business improvement grant program will be ready for council approval at the next meeting. The program will offer up to six grants of $25,000 each with a 50% match requirement from applicants.

Latest News Stories

WATCH: UW-authored study on surgery times contradicts CMS basis for reimbursement cuts

WATCH: UW-authored study on surgery times contradicts CMS basis for reimbursement cuts

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square New findings published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons contradict the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, claim that surgery...
State defends gun ban district court ruled unconstitutional

State defends gun ban district court ruled unconstitutional

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Ahead of oral arguments over Illinois’ gun ban in the federal appeals court, attorneys for the state...
Trump aiming for ceasefire, world awaiting news from Putin summit

Trump aiming for ceasefire, world awaiting news from Putin summit

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska Friday in the hopes of negotiating a ceasefire or initial steps toward peace...
Pritzker acts upon 269 bills, vetoes 2, signs 'lawsuit inferno' measure

Pritzker acts upon 269 bills, vetoes 2, signs ‘lawsuit inferno’ measure

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In a Friday announcement of the status of 269 bills, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation which...
Report: average American to receive $3,752 tax cut in 2026 due to OBBBA

Report: average American to receive $3,752 tax cut in 2026 due to OBBBA

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The White House is touting a new economic analysis that estimates taxpayers will see an average $3,752 tax cut in 2026, due to provisions in...
Republican, Dem work to prevent deportation of entrepreneur

Republican, Dem work to prevent deportation of entrepreneur

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square It is not every day that people on opposite sides of the political spectrum join forces, but that is exactly what Lisa Everett and Brent...
Nevada superintendent says ICE won't enter schools

Nevada superintendent says ICE won’t enter schools

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square The superintendent of the nation's fifth-biggest school district said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agreed to not conduct raids or arrests in schools in Las...
MAHA-style bill would close food additive safety loophole

MAHA-style bill would close food additive safety loophole

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With deregulation-focused Republicans in Congress reluctant to fulfill the industry-wary goals of the Make America Healthy Again initiative, some Democrats are taking up the torch....
Legislators criticize Illinois’ utility policies as ‘unsustainable’

Legislators criticize Illinois’ utility policies as ‘unsustainable’

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s law banning utility shutoffs during extreme heat and cold is sparking concerns over rising...
John-Wofford-1755084241

John William Wofford, 55

John William Wofford, 55, of Charleston, Illinois, formerly of Casey, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 8:50 p.m. in rural Westfield, Illinois. He was born January...
D.C. attorney general sues Trump administration, claiming 'unlawful' takeover

D.C. attorney general sues Trump administration, claiming ‘unlawful’ takeover

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Days after President Donald Trump declared “Liberation Day” by federalizing the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and deploying hundreds of National Guard members to curb...
What’s on the table for Trump’s meeting with Putin?

What’s on the table for Trump’s meeting with Putin?

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square President Donald Trump is flying to Alaska on Friday for a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss terms for a ceasefire in...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 15th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 15th, 2025

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 talks with gun...
Federal government to drop 300,000 workers this year

Federal government to drop 300,000 workers this year

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The federal government is on pace to eliminate about 300,000 workers this year. Office of Personnel Management director Scott Kupor said 80% of those employees...
Illinois quick hits: Ex-student sentenced for school gun, time served; fall semester beginning

Illinois quick hits: Ex-student sentenced for school gun, time served; fall semester beginning

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ex-student sentenced for school gun, time served A former Chicago Public Schools student has been sentenced to five years in prison...