Published on June 17, 2026 9:45 am
Last Updated on June 17, 2026 9:45 am
Effingham County Board members continue to implement the administration of the public transportation system for Effingham and the six other counties overseen by CEFS Economic Opportunity Corporation.
Shelby had been the lead county in administering the system, but has turned over those duties to Effingham County. Kelly Lockhart had administered the Effingham County system, but will now oversee the system for all seven counties in the CEFS service area. The Board this week also set Lockhart’s salary at $2,500 per month.
The Board approved service contracts with Shelby County Community Services as well as with Clay County Rehabilitation. It was also decided that Effingham County Public Transportation will now also operate under the Central Illinois Public Transportation name.
There was discussion about giving the Effingham County Board chairman and the Program Compliance Oversight Monitor authority over the program. There was general agreement about the proposal, but the language regarding the authority will go to committee before heading back to the full Board for action.
The Board also heard from local residents Mary Ann Hoeffliger and Herb Meeker in opposition to data centers with suggestions that limited zoning authority should be pursued with data centers specifically in mind.
In regular action, the County Board disbursed $2,000 in hotel-motel tax funds to the Dieterich 4th of July Celebration; approved an updated salary schedule for the assistant public defender; approved an updated service agreement with CEFS; and approved another year of the Sarah Bush Lincoln Employee Assistance Program for all full-time County employees and all employees in positions of emergency personnel.
The Board named Amy Schmidt, Grant Bushue, Dr. Greg Campos and Dr. Michael Williamson to the County Board of Health; Doug McDevitt to the Effingham County Airport Commission; and Janelle Eck to the County Housing Authority Board. Also approved was a road use agreement with Mason Plains Solar for use of roads to a solar energy plant planned in the south part of the county. A public hearing on the plant is scheduled for June 30.
Board members approved use by FACE of the courtyard and pavilion on July 8, August 20 and September 10; approved an updated Community Support Systems vehicle lease; and appointed David Woltman to fill a vacancy on the Ambulance Oversight Committee. There was also discussion about wear on the courtyard lawn from the Farmers Market events, but the situation will be monitored for now since there are funds budgeted for maintenance of the lawn.
The Board heard that the full 6,000 foot length of the expanded east-west runway at Effingham County Regional Airport should be opened this week, and a new multi-bay hangar building should be operational in the next two to three weeks.
