Published on July 21, 2026 8:00 pm
Last Updated on July 21, 2026 8:00 pm
Effingham City Council members Tuesday had kudos for the City Tourism Office and Director Jodi Thoele for recent tourism events that are drawing people to Effingham.
Thoele credited the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce for hosting the recent HAM-JAM and Deano Tull for the annual Ham City Jam. She indicated that Deano has plans for additional smaller-in-scope events to promote skating and the expanded skate park at Hendelmeyer Park.
The Council and Thoele also discussed plans for this year’s Downtown Cruise Night, set for Friday and Saturday, September 11th and 12th.
Council members approved a one-year, $110,000 contribution to the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance, and approved City Commissioner Libby Moeller and Economic Development Director Sasha Althoff as board members of the Alliance. The Council approved a $50,000 contribution in each of the next three years for vocational training purposes through CORE Academy, and approved a $292,000 grant to Arts Connection of Central Illinois, the operator of Effingham Performance Center.
The Council also:
–granted a liquor license to China Buffet
–purchased land from GSGW Land Trust as necessary for construction and maintenance of public streets and utilities
–approved an agreement with Farnsworth Group for storm sewer improvements south of the Wabash Avenue project for $140,400
–okayed a TIF housing redevelopment agreement with Stephen Moore at 607 South 5th Street
–approved a three-year agreement for community services with CEFS Economic Opportunity Corporation
–okayed an agreement with Heritage Builders for the storage building for the Wonderland in Lights displays at Community Park after modifications were approved to reduce the cost by $152,336
–approved a plat for Blue Beacon Subdivision #2, now that Blue Beacon is purchasing their location on Evergreen Avenue, rather than leasing the property
–approved a plat of the second addition of Webb’s Subdivision northwest of town off Routes 32-33
–approved a plat of Hawickhorst Subdivision along South Route 45 to provide a westerly extension of Airport Road
–approved a preliminary plat of the first addition of Voyles-Utz Subdivision north of the interstate
–approved a preliminary plat of a block of Western Addition
–approved a vacation of a utility easement at Lot 2 of Webb’s Subdivision
–vacated an alley at Linden and Maple Streets and Fayette and Edgar Avenues
–rezoned lots at 605, 607, 609 and 611 West Fayette Avenue and 600, 602, 604, 606, 608, and 610 West Edgar Avenue to general commercial district
–granted a special use permit for use for mini-warehouses at 110 North Henrietta Street by Matt and Amy Dammerman
–rezoned Lot 2 of Webb’s Subdivision along Routes 32/33 t0 general commercial district to allow CW Motorsports for a warehouse expansion
–approved a plat of Dalton Subdivision on South Street
