Published on February 3, 2026 7:22 pm
Last Updated on February 4, 2026 10:57 am
Support for and opposition to Oxford House locations in Effingham was heard at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.
Oxford House is a program where those dealing with addictions to drugs and alcohol live in a communal setting. They work to encourage their fellow residents in their efforts to overcome their addictions.
A house on North Glenwood Street is being utilized after a home on Virginia Avenue earlier began operation. City Attorney Tracy Willenborg said the City has not approved either site, with the second site opening while negotiations were going on with the City.
Local residents Donna Hecht, Gene Fearday, Shelby Dasenbrock, Daniel Cuevas, Colby Glover, and Lisa Lauritzen all spoke against the houses in residential neighborhoods, while Felicia Depoister and Merle Moulton, Jr. spoke in favor of the houses, saying they have benefitted from Oxford Houses in their lives.
Effingham Mayor Mike Schutzbach met with a group of local residents on Saturday about the issue, and Willenborg stressed that the matter is yet to be concluded. City Commissioner Jake Niebrugge said it would be irresponsible to make a kneejerk decision as to how to handle the situation.
Also Tuesday, City Engineer Luke Thoele shared information on the various capital improvement projects completed in Effingham in the past year included street, sewer and water line work. They also heard from City Planner Greg Koester that a public hearing will be held at next Tuesday’s City Plan Commission meeting on the Effingham 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
This will take you to the video archive so it can be used for any City Council, Plan Commission, or Zoning Board of Appeals meeting:
https://www.effinghamil.com/city-council-meeting-live-stream-and-video-archive/
