Casey Advances Housing Strategy with Land Bank Transfers and Inspection Contract

Casey City Council Meeting | Feb. 2, 2026

Article Summary: The Casey City Council has approved the transfer of vacant city-owned lots to the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority and hired a private firm to assist with property inspections and code enforcement. The moves are part of a broader effort to rehabilitate blighted properties and spur new housing development.

Casey City Council Key Points:

• Land Bank Transfer: The Council approved Ordinance No. 605, authorizing the transfer of vacant city-owned lots to the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority (CILBA) to facilitate development.

• New Partnership: A professional services agreement was approved with Equity Enterprise LLC at a rate of $75 per hour to inspect properties and monitor rehabilitation projects.

• Regional Growth: Economic Development Director Tom Daughhetee announced that the City of Marshall has also voted to join the land bank, strengthening the regional approach to housing.

• University Collaboration: Graduate students from the University of Illinois will visit Casey this week to study the city’s urban planning and land bank work.

CASEY, Ill. — The Casey City Council on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, took significant steps to address local housing needs by strengthening its partnership with the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority (CILBA) and hiring outside experts to monitor construction quality.

The board voted unanimously to approve Ordinance No. 605, which allows the transfer of vacant, city-owned lots to CILBA. According to the ordinance, the move is intended to “better facilitate the acquisition and disposition of property to potential housing developers.”

Economic Development Director Tom Daughhetee explained that transferring the unbuilt properties to the land bank shifts the administrative burden and risk away from the city. The land bank will handle requests for proposals (RFPs) to identify qualified builders with the funds necessary to develop new housing.

“It takes a workload off of us, takes the risk off of us, places it into somebody’s hand that does it all the time,” Mayor Michael E. Nichols said during the meeting.

To support this initiative, the Council also approved a professional services agreement with Equity Enterprise LLC. The firm will inspect properties within corporate limits to ensure compliance with maintenance and building codes and provide evidence for enforcement actions. The contract sets a rate of $75 per hour for construction monitoring and other non-fixed fee services.

Joe Camp of Equity Enterprise LLC attended the meeting to explain his firm’s role. Camp noted that their work involves determining whether properties are salvageable or require demolition, as well as monitoring rehabilitation projects to ensure quality standards are met.

“It’s not just making sure things are getting done, it’s making sure things are getting done to a quality standard,” Camp told the Council.

Mayor Nichols noted that the city’s efforts over the last 12 years are beginning to show “leaps and bounds” in progress. “We kind of got that ball rolling downhill,” Nichols said. “It should be easier for us to take care of some of these housing situations.”

Daughhetee also reported that the City of Marshall has voted to join the land bank, meaning the three largest towns in Clark County are now members. He suggested this regional cooperation would make shared code enforcement more efficient.

Additionally, Daughhetee announced that graduate students from the University of Illinois are scheduled to visit Casey on Friday to study the city’s planning efforts and collaboration with the land bank.