Local News

The Wyoming City Council adopted an ordinance at their June meeting to permit gambling in compliance with the Illinois Video Gaming Act. The ordinance changes the city code so that any current prohibition on gambling does not apply to any device for which a license or permit has been  issued by the Illinois Gaming Board.

The city voted to renew a lease agreement with the state for property that is part of the Rock Island Trail. The lease runsfor five years and costs the  city $100 per year. The land is behind the city shed.

Street Superintendent Joe Beck will be looking into street sweeper companies to find out who is available and at what cost. He also told the council that they need a hammer drill and the council instructed him to look into the cost of renting one.

Police Chief Steve Sloan reported that the police department handled 46 calls, gave one citation and made two arrests last month. He also let the council know that the new squad car was in and that lights, striping and cages still need to be installed before being put into service.

The council approved donations of $750 each to the Wyoming Tractor Pull and the Central Illinois Farm Heritage Tractor Club. The Tractor Pull will be held on June 30 and Heritage Days will be held on August 18 and 19. The council also learned that the Wyoming Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding their annual Corn Boil on July 14 at Thomas Park, one week earlier than in the past. The council adopted the annual ordinance to establish the prevailing rate of wages. They also approved the annual budget and tax appropriation ordinance. The total sum of $1,188,566 is budgeted which is an expectation of about $130,000 less than last year.

City Engineer Judd Giffin presented the council an estimate from Bear Boring in Wyoming for hand railings in the downtown area. The total cost would be $10,065 and does not include installation. The city would be responsible for making sure they are installed in compliance with ADA regulations.

Denny Rewerts from the Stark County Economic Development Partnership reported to the council that they have been working with DCEO on financing assistance plans including the Advantage Illinois program. This program aids new and existing businesses with their financial needs. The State Bank of Speer and the State Bank of Toulon were represented at a recent meeting in Cambridge to discuss the program and are on board to participate. The Partnership is continuing to look into senior living options including talking to landowners. They have also been working with ActOnEnergy to analyze improvements to area usinesses and compare  costs to savings for energy programs. Rewerts said they are also working on finding additional funding opportunities to keep the Partnership financed. They have been working on trying to recoup those that have dropped out of supporting the Economic Development agency.

The council noted that because of the 4th of July holiday; garbage pickup will be a day early, on Tuesday July 3 in the early morning. Recycling will be a day later than usual on Thursday, July 5.