Published on November 24, 2025 9:50 am
Last Updated on November 24, 2025 9:50 am
Effingham city council members took action on street improvement projects at their last meeting.
A preliminary engineering agreement was approved with Farnsworth Group for work on Evergreen Avenue. The work extends from Sherwood Park Street to Oceola Street at a cost of $159,548.
The Council also applied to the State for a grant for the extension of McGrath Avenue in the city business park. The grant request seeks $1,920,002. The project is related to a planned expansion of Stevens Industries at their Effingham operation.
Council members adopted an urban forestry management plan for Effingham. As explained at the prior Council meeting by Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman, the plan will outline the management of trees throughout the City. Also approved was a resolution declaring 510 West Indiana Avenue as dangerous and unsafe to bring the property up to code.
The Council approved use of TIF dollars for improvements to residential property at 406 South 5th Street and for the exterior of Joe Sipper’s Cafe at 114 South 4th Street.
Council members also rezoned 1219 East Rickelman Avenue from non-urban to general commercial district.
The Council established the 2025 tax levy. The levy for the City is just $13,000 after the Council passed a sales tax to generate revenue, lessening the amount needed in property revenue.
Council members voted 5-0 to eliminate outdoor billboards in Vandalia and Kankakee. Other billboards are not affected. The Council also purchased new playground equipment for Bliss Park for $96,505, and agreed to additional decorative street signs for $91,489 besides those already placed in the downtown area.
